It’s been 3 months since we moved the kids to college, so we are officially empty nesters. And I’m just sayin’: if we had a dime for every time we’ve heard the phrase “empty nest” the past few months, we’d be able to bankroll both of the kids’ tuition bills!

(Actually, that’s fake news. Have you seen the cost of higher ed these days?!)

Costs aside, the transition is going well for everyone.

Back in August we left Anchorage and arrived in Nebraska with an obnoxious amount of luggage:

We then proceeded to purchase an obnoxious amount of supplies to outfit Maggie’s dorm and Sam’s apartment:

Maggie’s Omaha dorm feels more like an apartment, with four bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a shared living room.

Sam is ecstatic to have an apartment this year. No more shower caddies or communal living for this kid! No more meal plan either, so it’s time to put that fancy new kitchen to good use.

Both of their years are off to a great start. Maggie is as busy as ever: attending sporting events with her new roommates (they have achieved “Maverick Maniac” status), working as a job coach for students with developmental disabilities, serving as president of the UNO Unified club, and volunteering as a buddy swimmer for Special Olympics Nebraska. She gets together with family whenever possible as well. She is thriving in every way!

Sam finally had something to cheer about in Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium, even though it didn’t last long. He might want to consider UNL volleyball tickets next year instead? He is working as a sales intern this semester and narrowed his focus of study to economics. His college friend group continues to strengthen, and this is his third year living with the same roommate.

So that leaves us. Back home, alone with two dogs and a flock of chickens. It sort of feels like we just finished a marathon. A 20 year marathon. And it’s not that we are done with marathons, but we’re gonna go ahead and cheer from the sidelines from here on out. And send financial support, of course.

I’m still not fully sure what to expect from this empty nest phase. Raising those kids was the greatest joy of my life, and sometimes waves of nostalgia about knock me off my feet. It’s not just me: ask Clark how it feels to mow around a soccer net that no one is here to use any longer. How can happy memories feel like landmines?

If I divide my life into chapters, I know I just finished one of the best. A favorite. But as long as I stay on my current page, the change feels much less emotional and certainly less exhausting. In this current chapter we cook less, worry less, drive less. I read more, write more, and walk more.

We still spend our days at work, but there is definitely more free time in our evenings. At first we felt the need to fill it with somewhat structured activities. It could be as simple as sitting at the table to play a board game, until we remembered how many games don’t work well with only two players. It was also strange to use our actual names on the scoresheet instead of “Dad” and “Mom.”

Gradually we started giving ourselves permission to simply be as we acclimate to the slower rhythm in the house. We like being home more often, and thankfully we still like being together as well.

So yep, the kids are alright. All four of us. 😉

(Oh, and the college kids will be home for winter break in 21 days! Not that I’m counting!)