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A short while later, my mom opened the door, shocked to see me. “Matthew,” she exclaimed, “What a lovely surprise!” She looked confused. “Why did you knock?”

“Hey,” I greeted her, holding up an iced coffee from her favorite shop. “Forgot my keys, but I thought I’d drop by. Dad golfing?”

She took the cup, shaking her head. “With Graham—finalizing things.” She frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Can’t a guy come see his mom?” I countered.

“Of course, but you have that little furrow between your eyes just like your dad gets when he’s upset, and you’re pale. Something’s wrong.” She held out her hand. “Come tell me.”

We sat out back by the pool, the sun warm. I told her everything. How I was feeling about Maddy. The news she had received. The change that was about to happen. How conflicted I was feeling.

“I’m thrilled for her. But part of me—a huge part—doesn’t want her to go. Does that make me selfish?”

Mom regarded me, taking a sip of her latte. She set down the cup. “It makes you human,” she replied. She tilted her head. “You really have such strong feelings for her, Matthew?”

“I do. She’s incredible. We get along so well. Things have been…” I trailed off with a sigh. “I guess we’re in the ‘newlywed’ phase. Things have been great.”

“And now she’s leaving.”

I picked at the rim of my cup. “Yeah.”

“How did you handle it when she told you?”

“I told her I was excited for her. How proud I was of her. That I’d miss her, but it’s only a year. We could make it work.” I grimaced. “I thought she agreed, but this morning, she tried to give me an out.” I repeated what Maddy had said, and Mom was quiet for a minute.

“She’s being strong. And I am proud of both of you. You’re giving her what she needs to go. Your support and encouragement. Your belief she can do this—that she has to do this. By letting her go with your love and support, you’re giving her a great gift. And I think she’s feeling the same emotions as you. Her little speech was to make sure you didn’t feel caught in a situation that could change.”

I leaned forward, earnest. “I don’t feel caught. I’m struggling with her going. But she has to because it’s the right thing for her career and her life. She gets her dream faster, and with everything she has given up to get it, she deserves that. I can’t stand in the way because my feelings might get hurt.”

“I think they already are.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re sad. Upset. And you have every right to be, just as she has every right to be excited.”

“I’m excited for her—well, a small part of me is.”

“Of course you are, but you’re still distressed.” She smiled and took my hand. “It’s okay to be upset, my darling boy. You can want everything for her but still be dismayed she’ll be gone.”

“It’s all so fast.”

“Maybe that’s easier. Rather than months of anticipating it happening, then having a year or more of separation, it starts now and ends sooner. The year will be done, and she’ll be back and you can figure out where to go from there.”

I sat back with a nod. “You’re right. You’re always right.”

She smirked a little, reminding me of my father. “I’m a mom. That’s what we do.”

“I’m glad you’re my mom.”

She winked. “I know.”

I glanced at my watch. “I have to go and take Maddy the boxes I picked up for her.”

She walked me to my car and wrapped her arms around me. Mom was tiny, but her hugs were those of a giant. Warm, surrounding you with love and strength.

“You’re a good man, Matthew VanRyan. Be strong and show her how good you are. As the saying goes, ‘This too shall pass.’ It’s only a year, and if it’s meant to be, it will be.”

She stepped back, cupping my cheek. “The gift of your love is a special one. If she’s the right girl, then she is very lucky. My greatest wish for all my children is to have the sort of marriage and love your father and I share.”