Melissa Gorga's little girl is growing up.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE ahead of the Real Housewives of New Jersey season premiere, Melissa, 45, shared that fans can expect her to get a little emotional during the show as her daughter Antonia, 18, heads off to college.
"That was so bittersweet," recalls Melissa of sending her daughter off to school, who shares her three kids — Antonia, Gino, 16, and Joey, 13 — with husband Joe Gorga, 44.
"And I feel like it's going to be so relatable for so many moms out there because I was happy for her, but I was also emotional and sad. It also felt like something was happening in my life because I'm like, 'Where's my child going? What point are we at here? Nobody needs their diapers changed. What's happening?'"
"And to see her go, I was so emotional. I know that it's going to resonate with a lot of moms out there that are about to send their kids away or their kids just left," the mom of three continues.
"It's hard. It's so bittersweet because you're so excited for them. And then you're also just...you just can't stop crying."
While it was tough to watch Antonia leave for school, the proud mom says that her daughter is already excelling.
"She didn't think she was going to like her living space and the showers and the whole roommate situation, all of that," Melissa says. "She seemed so doubtful and I was like, 'Oh my god, she's going to come back. She'll be back in a month. I know it."
"But no. She is living the dream in Delaware. She loves it. She absolutely loves it. She just got into the sorority that she wanted to get into, so she's happy."
Last June, Antonia hit another major milestone as she attended her high school prom as seen in photos posted by her mom Melissa.
"It’s all happening.. such an exciting time in her life💙Prom one! Her original high school!! One more week until the next one! Love my sweet girl💙 @antoniagorgaa @castlecouture 👗," she captioned the post.
Fellow RHONJ star Dolores Catania commented, "She looks so beautiful !! ❤️."
Later that same month, Melissa and her husband celebrated Antonia as she graduated from high school. Sharing photos from before the ceremony on Instagram, the On Display podcast host wrote, "I will NEVER not see you with an oversized bow and a gigantic tutu.💞Spread your wings and fly my girl🪽🪽🪽🪽 I love you more than you know♥️🙏🏼 @antoniagorgaa."
