Joanna Gaines Shares Emotional Photo Hugging Son Drake Goodbye as He Leaves for College: 'Never Gets Easier'

The HGTV star shares her five kids with husband Chip Gaines

Joanna Gaines is saying goodbye to her son for a little while.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, the HGTV star, 46, shared a sweet photo on her Instagram as her 18-year-old son Drake headed off to college for the fall. Wearing a yellow baseball cap and big sunglasses, Gaines can be seen hugging her son, who has his arms wrapped around his mom.

"Saying goodbye never gets easier," Gaines wrote in her caption. "Lots of love to all the parents sending their kids off to school this season 🤍."

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Related: Joanna Gaines' Son Crew, 6, Proves That 'Practice Makes Perfect' as She Shares Video of Him Fishing in a Pond

In addition to Drake, Joanna shares four other kids — sons Duke, 15, and Crew, 6, as well as daughters Ella, 17, and Emmie, 13 — with husband Chip Gaines, 49.

In July, Joanna shared a sweet video to her Instagram as she captured her son Crew casting fishing lines into a nearby pond. Crew could be seen wearing a yellow T-shirt and black shorts, throwing out a line over and over again while his mom proudly watched.

"Practice makes perfect ✨🐟," Gaines wrote in her caption.

In May, Joanna celebrated as her son Duke turned 16. The mom of five shared a sweet video on Instagram showing her decorating her dining room table for her son's birthday, putting up large balloons, a "Happy Birthday" sign and placing presents on the table.

The proud mom then revealed that Duke passed his driving test, sharing a photo of the teenager signing some paperwork while Chip snapped a selfie.

The video concluded with Joanna waving the newly minted driver back home as she stood in the driveway. "Third time doing this and it still makes mama cry. #16," Joanna captioned the clip.

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