Joanna Gaines Shares Emotional Message as Daughter Leaves for College

Joanna Gaines’ daughter is officially leaving for her first year of college.

The HGTV star, 47, shared a photo on her Instagram on Thursday, Aug. 14, as her 18-year-old daughter Ella left for her first year of university. In the picture, Gaines captured her daughter’s teal suitcase and pink duffle bag resting at the bottom of the stairs, with a stuffed animal nestled in between them.

“Our little girl, all grown up. ✨🙏🏼🥹 #headedtocollege,” Gaines emotionally wrote in her caption.

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Earlier this month, Joanna shared a candid post on Instagram as her daughter, Ella, got ready to leave for school and her son, Drake, 20, got ready for his third year of college. The mom of five posted a photo of a room filled with boxes and took a minute in her caption to share how difficult this transition has been for her.

“They told me it would go by quicker than I think. That the days are slow but the years are fast. And darn it if they were right. This beautiful gift of time has roared past us all just like I was told,” Gaines began her caption.

“Help me to embrace change with a heart filled with hope for the part I know to be truer than the rest—my kids and I may have been made for each other, but I also believe they were made for more. More experiences, more knowledge, more growing than could ever happen within our walls.”

“My oldest son left for his third year of college while my oldest daughter packs for her first year across the country,” she continued. “This season already feels like one big, breathless surrender. Lord, how do I hold them close while also letting go?”

Gaines ended her post by directly addressing all parents who are moving their kids to new places and to those who still have time at home with their loved ones, asking them to hold their kids close. “And let’s all lean on each other when the time comes to hold it together. 🤍,” she said.

In July, Joanna spoke with PEOPLE and shared that it was going to be harder for her to watch Ella leave the nest than it was watching Drake go to college.

“Ella, our second kiddo, she’s graduating this year, so we’re going through that again with another kid leaving the nest and trying to stay emotionally stable,” Joanna said.

“Do you think this is going to be harder [than with Drake?]” Chip asked.

“Yes. I think there’s an emotional difference,” Joanna said. “With Ella, we love to go to antiques shops, plant shops and go get coffee — that’s our rhythm. I kind of feel like I’m losing a friend in my everyday life.”

“It feels like what’s coming this summer will be a tidal wave of emotions, and I am not going to brace; I’m going to stand there and take it with him.”