NEW PALESTINE — Gathered around the family dining table, siblings Madix, Mallari and Maverick were laughing, thinking back on some of the fun times the three have spent together over the years making memories with parents Hillari and Nathan Johnson.
The gathering was one of the last times the family would be together at the dining table as a whole unit, at least for a while.
Madix, 18, a New Palestine High School 2022 graduate, moved out lock, stock and barrel on Friday and moved onto the next chapter of his life when he left the family home to go away to college.
“I’m going to miss my family and my dogs,” Madix said. “We got my dog ‘Rookie’ when I was five and ‘Doc’ a few years ago.”
This is the time of year many families across the county and state are saying “So long” to a child for the first time as they watch their young adult move on with life and head to college. In many cases, that means moving out of the family home, away to a brand-new setting. The move can be a time of anxiety for both parents and the teenager.
For the Johnson family, the separation is filled with heavy — but mostly positive — emotions. Madix’s mom, dad and little brother, Maverick, drove Madix to Trine University in Angola on Friday while his sister Mallari had to stay in New Palestine to attend classes at NPHS. The goodbye brought tears and well wishes as well as a little heartbreak and uncertainty for all.
While admitting there is some trepidation wondering what to expect with being his own boss several hours from family, Madix said, “I’m ready to go,” just two days before he officially moved out.
“I thought during the end of my senior year I’d feel a little more emotional about going to college, but I never did and it really still has not hit me yet,” Madix said. “But, I think when my parents drop me off and I’m finally on my own, that’s when it will really hit me.”
Madix’s father, Nathan, said his son, who is going to study biomedical engineering and compete for the track and field team at Trine University, is more than ready to go.
“Knowing how hard he’s worked to get to this point, he’s ready for this and if he wasn’t ready, I’d have some apprehension for it, but I don’t,” Nathan said. “I’m thrilled and excited for him since I can remember what it’s like to be in his shoes … I want to see who he’s going to be on his own.”
Maverick, 12, who has shared a bedroom with Madix since he was born, was also kind of excited to see his big brother move on — for one specific reason.
“I am going to miss him a little bit, but I’m excited because I’m going to take over our bedroom,” Maverick said with a laugh.
Madix wasn’t buying it, knowing his little brother is going to miss him the most.
“I think he’ll have the hardest time with me being gone,” Madix said. “Maverick doesn’t know any thing different other than me being in his life.”
That’s why Madix spent extra time this summer with his little brother, making sure he knows how much their relationship means to him. From playing hoops to just sharing information about life, having separation from a sibling can be stressful.
“I will be a little sad because he won’t be there to help me out with all the things he’s been able to,” Maverick said.
For Mallari, 15, a sophomore at NPHS, she’s already been missing her big brother. Madix was a senior when she was a freshman last year, and having him at school and at home helped make the transition to high school easier. When high school started a few weeks ago, Mallari noticed a huge difference without her big brother.
“We used to do everything together,” Mallari said. “He’d take me to school and we both stayed after for practice and things, so even this year with him not at school, it’s been kind of weird.”
Still, Mallari is embracing the change and went with her big brother when he traveled to Trine University for orientation. Knowing the setting where Madix is going to school has helped ease some of Mallari’s concerns.
“Now I know he’s not that far away, but he’s not right down the hall either, and I’m going to miss the comfort of him being here,” Mallari said. “But, I’m proud of him going on to college.”
Madix’s mom, Hillari, who like most any mom in the same circumstance seeing their first child leave for college, is filled with both happiness and the pain of letting go.
“What gets me through is that, in my mind, I know some families never get this opportunity for their kid to go to college like this,” Hillari said. “That’s what keeps me going, gets me through … It’s all about perspective.”
Hillari’s only concern for Madix, who she said can procrastinate with the best of them, is Madix being able to balance and manage his time properly. However, Madix said while it’s true that he does procrastinate, he always manages to get the job done.
“So far, so good. It hasn’t hurt me yet and I do my best work when I’m under pressure,” Madix said.
Each one of the members in the tight-knit family noted they all have special bonds with Madix and will each be affected by his leaving the family’s home.
“My dad and I are comics of the house, so my dad isn’t going to have anyone to bounce jokes off of,” Madix said. “That will be rough on him.”
The family said the time apart will make the time Madix gets to come home much sweeter. Madix plans to head home only during scheduled university breaks, but said he will be back in about a month to attend a college football game with his dad and brother.
Fortunately for the teen, Madix will literally hit the ground running. He starts track training in a few days and plans to get a part-time job as well as carry a full load of classes, and the family is good with him throwing himself into his new surroundings.
“We want him to stay and get acclimated and get used to college life,” Hillari said. “We’ll probably wait to be asked up before we go up.”
Hillari said that while she is going to miss her son’s wisecracks, he’s become a kinder person as he matures and that shows her that he really is ready to move on.
“They say gratitude is the last learned emotion of being an adult and he’s been leaning that way this summer,” Hillari said.
