"I don't know how you ever let him go!"

When it comes to my son Jack, I hear this a lot.

Jack has autism.

Four years ago, we dropped him off at a college program. At twenty-one. he lives in a supported community.

There have been many bumps in the road.

I know there will be more.

But at some point, our home was no longer a learning environment for him. We had taken him as far as we could. It was time for him to experience life outside of his childhood walls.

Yesterday, his college class took a trip to Canada.

For weeks leading up to it, his excitement was palpable.

He mentioned it in every phone call.

He reassured us he packed his passport and set his alarm.

Once there, he texted us throughout the day to proudly share photos.

Life alongside autism often requires us to live by two words.

Dare greatly.

Dare greatly to love, learn, and let go.

Him.

And us.