The last of our kids left the nest a few years ago. Having started our family quite unexpectedly while still in college, it seems we’ve been parents for as long as I can remember. It has been a wonderful struggle, with the usual ups and downs, but now we’ve moved onto our new chapter.
When Todd was turning 50 his crisis manifested itself in the usual way. He bought a sports car. He loves that car. It makes him happy. Also being a walking stereotype, my mid-life has manifested itself into a need to almost re-invent my sense of myself: Always lived in the suburbs? Let’s move to the city! Never had the time or money to see the world? Let’s hit the road! I find I’m on a journey to seemingly make sure I that didn’t miss something during my twenties, thirties, and forties, that were spent up to my elbows first in diapers, then school science projects, and finally in travel sports teams.
What I’m finding out about our life is that I wouldn’t change a thing about the flow and stages of our 30+ years together. And most importantly, I’m finding that Todd and I still like each other even without our kids around. I’m fortunate that Todd is willing to, at times, suspend his disbelief, indulge me, and come along to grow together on this new journey. Now we have the time, more funds, and luxury to live and travel the way we want to without as many life constraints. What began as a bit of wanderlust on my part has transformed itself into the best journey the two of us have been on together. In this forum, I’ll be sharing the highs, the lows, the laughs, and the lessons that we’ve learned, as well as those we have yet to learn along the way.