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Last week, we loaded up the car and moved my oldest daughter to Williamsburg, VA for graduate school. Next week, we’ll be making another trip to Virginia Tech to get my son settled in for his junior year. And here at home, my youngest is starting her senior year of high school. (Just typing those words made me grab my tissues. For real.) You guys, the clock is ticking way too fast! I know so many of us are feeling this together, when every moment seems to go faster than the one before. It’s this strange mix of pride and heartache… Watching our kids grow into who they’re meant to be, while realizing that the days of having them all under our roof are ending, or will be very soon. If this season has you smiling through tears too, know that so many of us are right there with you. These transitions are big, and they affect more than just our kids. They shift the pace of our days, the feel of our homes, and even how we connect with our partners. It’s easy to get stuck in the sadness of it all… letting go is HARD. But we also have the chance to be intentional in how we move through this season of life. Here are three ways we can navigate it well: 1. Let ourselves feel it. We don’t have to rush to “be okay” right away. Change is a form of loss, and loss needs time and space. We can talk to a friend, write in a journal, take a long walk, or try gentle yoga and meditation. Let’s just allow ourselves to feel what we’re feeling… all of it. 2. Find something to look forward to. The “what’s next” is just as important for us as it is for our kids. We can plan a weekend trip, sign up for a class, or make a list of things we’ve always wanted to try. Having something on the calendar can bring excitement when our world is feeling a little empty. 3. Reconnect with our partners. Kids leaving home means more time for just the two of us, but only if we’re intentional. Let’s be honest about how we are feeling. Let’s be vulnerable. Then let’s look for ways to really connect - like starting a weekly date night, cooking dinner together, or taking a walk in the evenings. Small, consistent moments build connection, and this is the perfect opportunity to create them. So for those of you who are in this with me, here is what I believe… We are doing better than we think and we are going to be ok! We’ve raised amazing young humans who are ready to fly, and we are allowed to feel both proud and a little heartbroken at the same time. So here’s to embracing the season we’re in, even when it makes us reach for the tissues. With love and belief in us,
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