My family has “taken off” in recent days:
After back-to-school shopping with his brother and me, our oldest son packed up a very full car and headed back for his 3rd year at university.
A few days later, our youngest son also flew the nest for the first time, moving 4.5 hours away to begin his freshman year at college. I delivered him safely to his empty, rather bleak dorm room and was overcome with all the old “nesting instincts” we women are famous for. I helped him make his new bed, find places for his belongings, and stocked his shelves with food. When I left him, I felt all the feels: relief, nostalgia, sadness, and thankfulness. We are excited for both of them, and we will continue to pray for our sons as they live out this next chapter in their lives away from home.
And now, hubby and I are preparing to “fly the nest” as well to enjoy a little empty-nest adventure. But more on that next time…
What is YOUR nest like these days? Full, empty, or somewhere in between?
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Wow, Julie! You’re an empty-nester! What a milestone. 🙂
My nest is 2/3 empty this fall. Daughter is living in an apartment with 5 other girls and learning about the challenges that come from mixing so many personalities in a small space. (Did I mention that 4 of the 6 are oldest children, and 1 of the remaining 2 is an only child? It’s an adventure for sure!) Oldest son is moved into the dorm for his first year. I did all the nesting things for him, too. Helped him unpack, made his bed, hung posters on his walls. Youngest kiddo is still at home where I can grab him and hug him whenever I want, and I’m so thankful for that. My hubby is more than ready for those empty nest adventures that you spoke of, and while part of me is, too, another part wants to hold on to the fledglings as long as possible. Sigh. But I also want to see them fly. So hard!
I can totally relate this year. We just had a week together as family with our daughter coming from out of state. Now she’s on her way home, our youngest is moved in to his first year of college and our middle son will be starting his 3rd year and leaving within the week. We had such fun together that now I’m a little sad and missing them already.
Enjoy your empty nest time, Julie! It’s bittersweet at first and grows sweeter by the day! From one who’s been there, done that. 🙂
congratulations. we went through that with our two also. right now we are empty nesters. our son has now been married for 2 years and our daughter is happy being single and on her own. my husband and i had to find some new routines that fit is both well. we are really loving our empty nest syndrome. We still see our kiddos, but now we can concentrate on US. have fun and best of wishes
It sounds like you’ve got a bit of adjustment coming. It’s definitely a big change. We’ve been empty nesters for quite a few years. All five of our children are married with families of their own. We have 16 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters. Most of them live within a couple of hours’ drive, so we get to see them often.
Definitely a full nest right now. My daughter is only 6. But, I’m already trying to pep-talk myself into mentally preparing for her going to college…one day.