As a father of four kids, it is inevitable that they will leave home. With children ages 31, 27, 23, and 19, I should be used to it.

Nope.

The first “leaving” is when your young adult graduates from high school and heads off to college.

The second “leaving” is when your college graduate heads off for his first “real” job.

The third “leaving” is when your son commits his love and life to a beautiful young woman, and they begin their own home.

Most of the time, that’s it. Yeah, there’s the moving around, job changes, etc.

Today my son Jason, along with his wife Jaime and daughter Lucy, left home for his first duty station in the Air Force. I’ve never been more proud of Jason, but this “leaving” hits deepest of all.