It began with our ‘mommy’ playgroup over 23 years ago. We were naive, clueless and hot messes as first time parents. We had no idea what we had gotten into. But we ‘showed up’ for each other and that made all the difference in the world. The 3 of us went from once a week, to twice a week, to sometimes 3 or 4 times a week getting together. Laughing, cooking, taking turns watching the kids, with it usually ending in a bottle of wine sharing stories and toasting our new found friendship and messy mom lives. I cannot say enough that these ladies were the funniest, best, most loyal group of bitches you ever met. ‘Ride or Dies’. One that we often say others would be so jealous of us if they only knew. We laugh harder, play harder, and love harder than most.
As our children left for college, once again, we were in transition. We would delight in anticipated acceptance letters, but as is so common, the rejections hit too. We would console and tell the kids that their school of choice sucked anyway and they didn’t deserve to have their genius anyhow! And of course whatever school of choice, EVERYONE would receive the coveted college gift: the XO College blanket personalized and embroidered for their designated school. It was a highlight and what a well earned keepsake it was!
We would send them off and miss them dearly, always looking forward to the catch up sessions over the holidays or summer months.. And I’m not sure when it was (because it seems like it has always been), that the 5 of us (we had added a few stragglers over the years) decided we needed to visit each and every kiddo at their respective school: The Auntie College Tour.
It has been one of my (our) greatest joys. Always a designated hat for each Auntie to wear for each college visit, we came in hot! The students on campus and off quickly got to know us as the ‘Aunties’.
The inherent rules? Bring only the best vibes and highest energy to the weekend. Celebrate each of our college kids like they’re a damn celebrity! Do AAALLLL the things… shamelessly slide down a water slide (in a bathing suit with all the cute college students staring and rooting you on!), do the shotskis, play the beer drinking games, go to the tailgate, go to the game, hit the college bar, spoil them with lots of love and laugh like you’ve never laughed before. By the end of the weekend, students around campus know you as ‘The Aunties’ and we are greeted with applause and open arms. We become Auntie’s to them all and it is a privilege we cherish. There’s nothing like it.
Our stops? Cal Poly, Michigan, San Diego State, ASU and Washington State. Each was different but very special. Next up: UCLA, then an East Coast Air Force visit and Cal State East Bay ‘Marin’ (inside joke)..., then one Johnny-Come-Lately who is still in high school… so is still TBD. They were all sent off with their XO Keepsake.
It was our love letter to them: a piece of home. Being a mom is so joyful and fulfilling (my personal highest calling), but I tell you, being in a community of Aunties and guiding and celebrating the youth is a very close second. I recommend it wholeheartedly and welcome others to join in the celebration.
We’ve got one life. Live it well. So where will your Auntie College Tour begin? And if Aunties is not the calling… perhaps the ‘Drunkles’ is more fitting for your crew?
