Joanna Gaines' Tearful Goodbye to Son Drake as He Heads Back to College

Joanna Gaines has shared an emotional goodbye to her oldest son, Drake, as he prepares to return to college for his second year.

Joanna Gaines, the former HGTV star, has bid an emotional farewell to her eldest son, Drake, as he embarks on his second year of college. The 19-year-old is leaving home once again, and his mother couldn't help but share her feelings with her fans on Instagram.

"Second year in college... saying goodbye doesn't get easier," Joanna wrote in the caption accompanying a photo of her embracing Drake. "Lots of love to all the parents sending their kids off to school this season."

Joanna Gaines' Tearful Goodbye to Son Drake as He Heads Back to College

Many of Joanna's followers could relate to her situation, flooding the comments section with their own experiences of dropping their children off at college. One fan wrote, "So many emotions. I cried all the way home when all five of our children went off to college. Letting go is so hard," while another added, "Did that MANY years ago. Still choke up thinking about it. Hardest part in being a parent…letting them fly."

Joanna previously shared her experience helping Drake move into his college apartment through a series of Instagram stories, giving fans a glimpse of his home away from home. She revealed her son's drinking game, initially mistaking it for an innocent activity.

Joanna Gaines' Tearful Goodbye to Son Drake as He Heads Back to College

"Ring toss for good ol’ fashion fun," she captioned the video, before her son corrected her, saying "Mom, this is a drinking game."

Joanna also provided an inside look at the personalized touches she added to Drake's apartment to make it feel more like home, including one of her own books on his bookshelf.

Joanna Gaines' Tearful Goodbye to Son Drake as He Heads Back to College

In addition to Drake, Joanna shares four other children with her husband, Chip Gaines: Ella, 17; Duke, 16; Emmie, 14; and Crew, 6.

The couple previously discussed the challenges of watching Drake leave home for college with People magazine in November 2023, saying that it had shifted their perspective on raising their younger children.

"Something about Drakey going off to college really does make you shift your attention to Crew, who's on the tail end of all this," Chip told People. "And you're kind of living very intentionally because you know that — which is so hard to believe when you're holding a 1-year-old — 'Oh, this time's going to go by quickly.’"

Chip continued, "Because it seems like time was standing still, at the time, but then when you see your boy go off to college for real — well, then, you certainly shift your attention to little Crew, and want to really practically live as if he were going to go off to college tomorrow, so we can enjoy and appreciate every moment."

As Drake embarks on his second year of college, Joanna and Chip will no doubt be keeping a close eye on his progress, while also cherishing the memories of his time at home.