This particular evening (in the photo above) started out pretty run-of-the-mill. I was feeling tired and still needed to pack away some groceries and finish making dinner. And then everyone started gathering in the kitchen. My husband arrived home from work, our eldest from the gym, our middle kid from upstairs, and our son from boarding school. Boom! Family time. And the ‘band’ was back together! Haha!
I took this photo just as the mood was becoming playful, and the love felt strong in that kitchen. I adore these people of mine! And I love it when we are together just hanging and doing daily life.
On this evening, there was much hilarity and banter as is often the case when we’re together. And after dinner, we sat around talking about the good old days. And also about what had been going on in each other’s lives. It was so good to linger and laugh with each other.
Having older kids is often crazy busy, so when we have these calm, happy family moments, I lap them up. These days of all being together are dwindling so fast nowadays that I’m trying to appreciate them more. And knowing that this special time of living together under one roof won’t last forever, makes these moments extra sweet when they happen.
Our oldest went to University Halls last year, but moved back home this year which has worked out well because our son started at boarding school this year! And while he’s benefitting from his weekly boarding experience, we’re missing him more and more as the year progresses. His being away has made me appreciate the times we’re all together and realise just how much I love it. I feel like I’m becoming much more sentimental as I get older! Is this a thing?
So yes, I’m starting to get a small taste of what empty nesting is going to feel like – with both girls so busy, always in and out, and driving themselves everywhere, and Luke away at school. And I’m not sure that I’m going to enjoy it when it happens! *sad face* Luckily it’s happening gradually and I still have at least two kids living at home at any one time, at the moment. And, okay, yes, I definitely won’t miss the endless laundry when they eventually do move out. Or the battles with them to keep their bedrooms tidy. But I will miss us all living together and getting to enjoy these spontaneous times of being together, like on that evening. That I’m definitely going to miss.
And you? Are you experiencing empty nesting yet? Or are you still in the thick of this magical time? Either way, what are your thoughts on this next phase? Will you be ready for your children to move out? Or would you prefer them to stick around, if that’s what they want to do?
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