Jenna, we will be in exactly the same spot come this time next year. It's hard not to have mixed feelings, isn't it? Our eldest is already through University (she's 25 in July) and I had the startling revelation recently that we've been parents for a quarter of century! It's going to be so strange to be back to two, but I must admit to also getting the excited tingles sometimes. You will have to feed back how it is on the other side...so I can prepare 😀
Jenna, I’m only a year into parenting. While I love being a father and love this new season in my life, I love the life I use to have with my wife too. I’m learning love looks and feels differently now. I’m grateful for the time we had together before my son, because it really shapes the love we have for him now. But I feel this deeply. Both can be true - love this life and grieving the old. I hope to have such a beautiful through this and the other side. So far so good.
Marc, enjoy the years, every one of them. ❤️ The rollercoaster and the joys and the worries and the heartbreaks—all of it. I know parenting never stops, but it does look different, and I'm still learning how to be a parent.
I'm excited for you and Mark! And it's such a pleasure to read a glimpse of a potential empty nester future, my husband and I only just having started our marriage life.
Oooooo… that takes my heart back, going to be 15 years this September when the youngest finished up the summer and went on to college… I maybe should not have given away that it will probably hit harder in September than now, when you are no longer on the list to get a school calendar… that has to be the cruelest thing a school district can do … after all, we still pay taxes… 🥲 I attend school board meetings just because… 🎶 trying hard to fill that void, I need more… 🎶
The fridge sure does look like no kids live here, just a couple of college kids what can’t be bothered to buy proper groceries anymore (unless the grandkids are here for the weekend, then ALL MY FAVORITES!) Every night, it’s a game of Chopped, Empty Nesters Edition … I really need to pitch that to Dave Noll…where was I… oh, yeah… embrace the lack of meal structure… and conversation is overrated; it’s what people do to drown out the mutually tuned frequencies of that being close together.
Oh I know it will harder in Sept. When the first one went away, it didn't hit for a few weeks. Meals and dinners remains to be seen since I live with an ex-chef. During the day, however, I'mall cereal and salad everyday because I can't be bothered. And thanks for linking the blog post!
I laughed at you sending photos of your lattes to your kids. This explains a lot of my parents' texts... a beautiful post and agree with another commenter, a beautiful life
A perspective: the year ahead for your marriage is going to be an incredibly unique one that presents you both with a shared experience that you've never had before, one that's mostly in your control to determine the shape of. Not only will it be okay -- it could be really fun!
When I think about what committing to living a (married or partnered) life with another person means, it definitely includes committing to navigating big transitions like this together, and defining what that looks like together.
I'm excited to see what that will be for you and Mark -- and thank you for being so generous in sharing about your experiences. ❤️
This is very true Abby. For the first time in a long time, I don't know what the Fall will look like, never mind the next year. It's that unknown that I was referring to - a mix of anxiety but also excitement. We are so bound to school schedules and everything that goes with it that it will be super strange not to think within those parameters anymore.
I loved our first year as empty nesters. Each Saturday, Mr. J and I would wake up and say, "What do you want to do today?" From long walks, to museums, to markets, our days were filled with joy!
This is so beautiful, raw, honest, and celebratory! I love it.
As my husband and I think about becoming parents, sometimes it really scares us to even imagine having little people in our lives when our current lives are all already all over the place!
Because it IS scary, and if we overthink we'd probably never become parents, ha! You learn every step of the way and then when you think you have it figured out, you don't and you learn some more.
This is a beauiful reminder. Even though now my kids are all 5 and below, it is good to remember we did have a life before the kids, admist all the sickness and rushing around kids activities, and family outings on weekends. Sometimes it is difficult to remember this slow relaxing life before them. There are so many phases in life, it's time to enjoy your next one! I am not the least bit envious....right :)
It will come sooner than you know! And yes, enjoy every phase of it. It's often hard to see beyond all of life's stresses, but there is an end—but also new beginnings ☺️
You live a beautiful life. ❤️🌹
You are kind. Thank you, Paolo.
Jenna, we will be in exactly the same spot come this time next year. It's hard not to have mixed feelings, isn't it? Our eldest is already through University (she's 25 in July) and I had the startling revelation recently that we've been parents for a quarter of century! It's going to be so strange to be back to two, but I must admit to also getting the excited tingles sometimes. You will have to feed back how it is on the other side...so I can prepare 😀
I'm sure I will be documenting it all here in some fashion one way or the other, the whole entire rollercoaster 🫠
Good job looking on the bright side!
It's either that or a complete meltdown lol
Jenna, I’m only a year into parenting. While I love being a father and love this new season in my life, I love the life I use to have with my wife too. I’m learning love looks and feels differently now. I’m grateful for the time we had together before my son, because it really shapes the love we have for him now. But I feel this deeply. Both can be true - love this life and grieving the old. I hope to have such a beautiful through this and the other side. So far so good.
Marc, enjoy the years, every one of them. ❤️ The rollercoaster and the joys and the worries and the heartbreaks—all of it. I know parenting never stops, but it does look different, and I'm still learning how to be a parent.
J took a gap year, so we got one extra year with him. A is going to junior. So strange to imagine a house with a cat and K and me!
Same same. Just the cat and us. The cat is gonna be so smothered!! 😂
I love seeing pre-babies baby you & Mark!! And the two of you enjoying each other still. Bravo!
The kids always remark at how young we looked back then!
I'm excited for you and Mark! And it's such a pleasure to read a glimpse of a potential empty nester future, my husband and I only just having started our marriage life.
Yes, it's such big life arc that does come back around in some ways. I'm sort of fascinated at the journey now that w're at this milestone 😯
Oooooo… that takes my heart back, going to be 15 years this September when the youngest finished up the summer and went on to college… I maybe should not have given away that it will probably hit harder in September than now, when you are no longer on the list to get a school calendar… that has to be the cruelest thing a school district can do … after all, we still pay taxes… 🥲 I attend school board meetings just because… 🎶 trying hard to fill that void, I need more… 🎶
The fridge sure does look like no kids live here, just a couple of college kids what can’t be bothered to buy proper groceries anymore (unless the grandkids are here for the weekend, then ALL MY FAVORITES!) Every night, it’s a game of Chopped, Empty Nesters Edition … I really need to pitch that to Dave Noll…where was I… oh, yeah… embrace the lack of meal structure… and conversation is overrated; it’s what people do to drown out the mutually tuned frequencies of that being close together.
September, though… this year will be my 15th and it never gets easier… just saying, if you need to lash yourself to a mast to get through it 🙂 https://medium.com/dog-walk-blog/it-will-soon-be-september-7d8c577b3adb
Oh I know it will harder in Sept. When the first one went away, it didn't hit for a few weeks. Meals and dinners remains to be seen since I live with an ex-chef. During the day, however, I'mall cereal and salad everyday because I can't be bothered. And thanks for linking the blog post!
I laughed at you sending photos of your lattes to your kids. This explains a lot of my parents' texts... a beautiful post and agree with another commenter, a beautiful life
And that makes me laugh! About explaining your parents' texts 😂. I'm just gonna surrender to the senior citizen quirks.
Happy anniversary!!
A perspective: the year ahead for your marriage is going to be an incredibly unique one that presents you both with a shared experience that you've never had before, one that's mostly in your control to determine the shape of. Not only will it be okay -- it could be really fun!
When I think about what committing to living a (married or partnered) life with another person means, it definitely includes committing to navigating big transitions like this together, and defining what that looks like together.
I'm excited to see what that will be for you and Mark -- and thank you for being so generous in sharing about your experiences. ❤️
This is very true Abby. For the first time in a long time, I don't know what the Fall will look like, never mind the next year. It's that unknown that I was referring to - a mix of anxiety but also excitement. We are so bound to school schedules and everything that goes with it that it will be super strange not to think within those parameters anymore.
Ahhhhh my wedding anniversary is today too! Fourteen years for us. Happy anniversary!! 💜
No way!! Happy anniversary to you too!! 🥂
This is exciting!
😂☺️🥰
I loved our first year as empty nesters. Each Saturday, Mr. J and I would wake up and say, "What do you want to do today?" From long walks, to museums, to markets, our days were filled with joy!
That sounds absolutely lovely!!
Ice cream awaits!
🍦🍨☕️🧋All for meeeee
This is so beautiful, raw, honest, and celebratory! I love it.
As my husband and I think about becoming parents, sometimes it really scares us to even imagine having little people in our lives when our current lives are all already all over the place!
Because it IS scary, and if we overthink we'd probably never become parents, ha! You learn every step of the way and then when you think you have it figured out, you don't and you learn some more.
This is a beauiful reminder. Even though now my kids are all 5 and below, it is good to remember we did have a life before the kids, admist all the sickness and rushing around kids activities, and family outings on weekends. Sometimes it is difficult to remember this slow relaxing life before them. There are so many phases in life, it's time to enjoy your next one! I am not the least bit envious....right :)
It will come sooner than you know! And yes, enjoy every phase of it. It's often hard to see beyond all of life's stresses, but there is an end—but also new beginnings ☺️