It’s a bittersweet moment for Joanna Gaines as her eldest son, Drake Gaines, embarks on his college journey. An insider exclusively shares with Closer that Joanna is feeling all the emotions about this major life transition. Even though she's busy with her Magnolia Network projects, the reality of her firstborn leaving home hits hard. “She’s really in her feelings about it,” the source reveals. It's one of those moments that every parent knows—watching your child spread their wings and fly.

“Even though her youngest, Crew, is only 5, Joanna is already picturing life without kids around,” the source continues. “To stay connected, she talks to Drake as much as she can and sends him care packages, which helps ease the transition for both of them. It’s her way of saying, 'I’m always here for you, no matter the distance.'”

A New Chapter for the Gaines Family

At 45 years old, Joanna Gaines, alongside her husband Chip Gaines, recently unveiled their luxurious Hotel 1928 in Waco, Texas. The couple, who tied the knot in 2003, has had their hands full with this latest project. Despite their busy schedules, family time remains their top priority. “Joanna is making more of an effort than ever to balance her work and family life,” the insider says. “She’s incredibly grateful for her busy life and especially for her kids, but the idea of these changes doesn’t sit well with her.”

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Drake’s College Journey

Joanna and Chip, now 49, are proud parents to five kids: Drake, Duke, Emmie Kay, Ella Rose, and Crew. While they haven’t publicly revealed which college Drake, 18, decided to attend, he did take some time to visit the family’s Waco, Texas, farmhouse on September 4. “When your kid comes home from college … you make all the things,” Joanna captioned a photo of a tray of cookies in her Instagram Stories at the time. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder of how much family means to her.

Joanna’s Heartfelt Reflections

Before Drake started this new chapter, Joanna took a moment to reflect in the Magnolia Journal. “Soon, our oldest son, Drake, will be leaving home for college,” she wrote in August 2022. “In the grand scheme of heartbreaking things, this one comes with a lot of gratitude and excitement. But still, my first child is moving away, and our family dynamic will change because of it, and that can feel like a loss of its own. I catch glimpses now of what that life will look like and wonder if—or how many times—that might bring me to the floor.”

Earlier this summer, the entire Gaines family attended Drake’s high school graduation, celebrating this monumental milestone. “It feels like just yesterday that we were cheering him on as he took his first steps … but last weekend, as he walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma, we were cheering him on as he took his first steps into a world beyond what he’s known,” Joanna wrote on Instagram in May. “We’re so proud of you, Drake.”