There’s a subtle shift in the air as the seasons change, and I can feel it deep in my heart. Even Jack seems to sense it.
Today one meaningful season for our family ends, and another beautiful one begins.
Tonight we’ll drop our son off at college—in the very place we took his sister Courtney ten years ago, the same spot where his oldest sister Kylee and her husband once stood. After that drive home, for the first time in 32 years my husband and I will return to an empty nest.
We’ll be greeted by dog kisses and a quiet house, and even with that warm welcome it will feel surreal to live in a home where our children are no longer here every day.
We don’t yet know what that will feel like.
When I began this blog—several homes and twelve years ago—Luke was seven. Now he’s nineteen.
Although this site was never a traditional “mommy blog” chronicling every detail of daily life, family moments, our dogs, and important milestones have woven through posts, videos, books, and social updates over the years.
This little boy has grown up alongside the blog.
I won’t pretend I haven’t cried about this day—I’ve been shedding tears for about a year now. But they are bittersweet.
I’m a jumble of emotions: overwhelmingly happy for him, proud, relieved that we’ve arrived at this moment, and deeply grateful for the journey we’ve shared.
This transition is both joyful and expected, even if it’s not easy. Parenting asks a lot of the heart, and it’s been a privilege to raise our children and watch them become the remarkable people they are.
We’ll continue to be here for them and to provide a home where they always feel welcome.
I expect to reflect more in future posts—about how we’ve built a home for our children, the rhythms we’ve developed over the years, and how we’re shaping our household going forward.
Today, though, I’ll let myself feel all the mom feelings.
I’ll shed more bittersweet tears.
As much as I want to hold on, I’ll whisper “I love you, buddy,” hug him tight, and let him go—so a new season can begin.
Thank you for following along with our home and family as we’ve grown. Your support means so much as we step into this next chapter together.