Empty Nest Practice

Empty Nest Practice

                This past Sunday, my husband and I went to church alone. We went out to brunch alone. We went for a motorcycle ride. We had a bonfire alone. On Saturday, we dropped off our youngest daughter at camp to work there for most of the summer and our other daughter was on the way to Michigan for a week long leadership camp that she was being trained at. We had lunch alone and shopped a bit. We ate leftovers and had a quiet evening.

                For 35 years we have had children with us everyday. We have gone away for anniversary trips, meals out, and other things. Rarely have we gone to church without children. And a whole week at home without some of them probably has never happened.

                But we survived! We more than survived! We liked it. I will admit it-we did talk about our children and our grandchildren. They are our reality. They are what has given my life purpose and joy for many years. That doesn’t stop. They are a part of me, both of us. But my husband and I had fun together! We laughed, talked, shared… It was good! It was very good!

                We still like each other. We are still friends who enjoy doing things together. We can ‘date’ without all the awkwardness of dating. We know each other well and appreciate each other. We can easily choose to do things we both enjoy. We have a give and take that flows effortlessly.

                I am so glad we have nurtured our relationship through the years. We have made each other a priority. We do not take each other for granted. We give gifts. We like romance. Even if it is only a walk after supper, we try to find moments for each other. We share our days, our frustrations, our joys, our hopes and dreams. We plan together. We listen to each other.

                I won’t pretend we have a perfect relationship. No one does. But we have kept our relationship a priority. We forgive, we hold tight to our vows, our commitment. We have our faith as a foundation and it keeps us centered on what is good and right. We fight for each other. We protect our relationship and each other. We do not talk bad about each other. We look for the good.

                And it is good! We will survive and thrive in the empty nest because we like each other as well as love each other. And we are practicing well right now. We have more plans to do more together. It will be a good week. I am looking forward to it.

But I still miss my girls…   J