DD had earliest report time--never thought I would forget it but was it 0615 (?). She slipped into Alumni Hall and I CELEBRATED--spent the morning skipping around the yard-filled with happiness and relief. Launched! DH went straight back to hotel, cried, mourned and missed the marvelous moment by the Mid store when off marched DD (on the third bus of the morning). I treasure those pictures! She had made it through the labyrinth--all parper work in order! Hooray! For those of you going through this process, you have no idea how great it is to drop a healthy plebe off at those doors. No flu, no twisted ankles, no disqualifying weird freak accident the week before I-Day etc. (You will hear about those unfortunate ones!). Celebrate!
This exact process was repeated 12 hours later when she took her oath and marched into Mother B. I was elated and filled with joy and pride while DH cried and thought about charging through the doors and taking her away. Point is this: everyone goes through this process differently. We passed a mom on the way out of the yard who was sobbing uncontrollably. No judgement--to each his own.