We dropped Jake off at the Air Force Academy June 30. Originally, we were not going to see him until Labor Day weekend. But after nearly six weeks of very limited communication, we were itching to see him earlier. Well, we made an uncharacteristically (for at least one of us) spontaneous move and flew out to Colorado to watch the Acceptance Day parade, knowing we would only be able to spend 2 hours with him.

First, we spotted him from afar.

Acceptance Day is significant because it marks the official acceptance of the freshmen (fresh off of basic training) into the cadet wing. The parade was full of symbolism. The freshmen stood at one end of the field, facing the sophomores, juniors and seniors at the other end of the field. Then squadron by squadron, the freshmen marched toward their new cadet squadron.

All 40 squadrons then marched past the school’s superintendent and other leaders. Jake is in squadron 22: the Raptors. To spot him in the video, he is third row from back, on the side closest to the camera.

Once the parade was over, the announcer told parents we were free to meet our cadets on the parade field and observe them have their shoulder boards put on. We didn’t waste any time!

It was quite an emotional reunion–all three of us crying and hugging! We caught up with his classmates and watched the upperclassmen put on the shoulder boards.

Some things haven’t changed–Jake is given a hard time about his height wherever he goes. One cadre hoisted another up so he could reach Jake’s shoulders,

then they just told him to stoop down.

We were able to meet some of his new friends, and in some cases, their parents. This was important to this mama.

We were pleasantly surprised to find out that Jake was allowed to show us his room. Walking on the right side of the hall…

Doors remain open at all times until bedtime.

We were blown away by how fastidious this once–how shall I put it–lackadaisical child had become in a few weeks. We pulled out a sleeping bag from home so he would have some cushion as he sleeps on the floor each night. As we pulled it out of the bag, hair from our beloved shedding dog fell out, and Jake–without batting an eye–rushed over to his cabinet, pulled out a lint roller, and rolled the hair off of his pants.

He even does hospital corners!

Jim enjoyed the organized closet.

We relished every minute of our short time with Jake, and have no regrets on making our impromptu trip to Colorado Springs.