Empty Nesters!

April 16, 1988. That was the last time our nest was empty. Actually, it was still being built. The following day, April 17, 1988, Lori gave birth to Aubrey and our 17-month honeymoon came to an end as we added the first of our four kids to the nest.

Fast forward to June 2017. Lori and I returned home to an “empty” house from a great Alaskan cruise. While we were gone, the last of our children –now all married and on their own– moved out of the house. 

I’ve heard different things from empty nesters. Some say it’s too quiet. Others say they miss the day-to-day, face-to-face communication with their children. Others even say they cried when that last child left home for good.

I can respect all those sentiments but put us in the category of high-fivers and fist-bumpers. We do miss our kids and grandkids but we can (and do) call, text, email, Snapchat or Facetime those who live a ways away. Heck, the lone local holdout is only a hearty softball throw away in the back pasture.

 

Homemade wooden "quilt" square

Being “home alone” as a couple is…well…fun! We are doing multiple house projects together and have many more to do as we repurpose our now empty nest. We can crank the classic rock (or country music in Lori’s case) and jokingly yell from one corner of the house to the other at any time of day or night without disturbing sleeping children or grandchildren. We can also just sit on the front porch or back deck and enjoy the serenity.

Yeah, I can get used to this.

Playtime in my revamped man cave