Don’t know how I missed this thread. Thanks @VeryHappy. I joined CC right after our son was accepted to prep school looking for a community we didn’t have at home. I didn’t venture beyond the prep forums for years where I made some fabulous and, in a couple of cases, sure-to-be-lifelong friends. Several of us have met IRL, and one acted in loco parentis for us while our son was across the country in CT. I am forever grateful to her and count her as one of my dearest friends. I also picked up a virtual son in @skieurope who began his prep journey the same year as our kiddo and who often wondered if his mother was messing with him under my username. (Ignorance is bliss, ski. 
We miss you.)
Once our son went to USMA, I thought I’d switch over to serviceacademyforums.com, but quickly realized that my herd is here. I keep saying that it’s time to leave, but I’ve found that CC often feels more like family than blood family, and I just can’t look away. I’m here almost every day to listen to the chatter, get some perspective, occasionally add a thought, brag, get something off my chest, miscellaneously ramble (thanks, @SevenDad), consider how much/when to retire, and down a few in Sinner’s Alley. Pretty much any topic I’m interested in tuning in to is right here explored by distinct and familiar voices I think of as friends.
This community no longer feels virtual to me at all. I’m kidding myself if I think I’m leaving anytime soon or have better things to do. From coffee in the morning to martinis in the evening, CC is by my side. I appreciate you all. Cheers!