Several weeks ago, my husband and I boarded the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a relaxing day away from our kids. I guess you could say we were on a date. At the time of our outing, he’d been traveling for work and hadn’t been home much.
All week I’d anticipated our time alone so I could fill him in on all the things that had happened while he was away. Exciting things, like how much I’d saved at the grocery store using my coupons, or how our dog had designated himself watch dog, barking so ferociously at the UPS driver that they would not stop honking their horn until I emerged from the house to retrieve the delivery. You know, stuff he couldn’t live another day without knowing.
But beyond the trivial, every day ramblings, I was just looking forward to spending time ALONE with my husband. Enjoying the moments that he was with me and not on the road, hours from home. Believe it or not, even though I’ve been married to that man for over 21 years, I still love to spend time with him and he still makes my knees buckle.
We boarded the train and settled back for what I hoped was a relaxing ride through the national park. Me, yakking incessantly, my husband, barely listening, staring out the window of the train car, deep in thought. I could see he wasn’t in the mood for conversation and if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s not to ask a man “What are you thinking?”
I leaned back in my seat and snapped a few pictures of the passing landscape.
I glanced back at my husband who was watching me, kind of nervously. Clearly he had something he wanted to say. I took a breathe and prepared myself as he opened his mouth and began to speak. I knew the words he spoke were coming sooner or later, but I wasn’t ready to hear them.
He spoke a simple sentence and my vision blurred. For a moment I teetered on racing to the bathroom as fast as my not-quite-sure-how-to-walk-on-a-train legs could take me to release the flood of tears that threatened to flow down my face. Or option two; suck it up and pretend that I’d not understood the words he had spoken.
I opted for number two. This was OUR day and nothing was going to ruin it. Nothing.
But I couldn’t get those words out of my head. The words that no mom wants to think about.
The words “Our kids are going to be gone soon, and we’ll be traveling alone.”
And there I sat, pretending I didn’t hear him. Pretending. Pretending….
It didn’t help. I had heard him.
I also knew what he’d spoken was true. Our oldest child had turned 20 a few short weeks before our date. He’d recently taken up woodworking, creating beautiful pieces of furniture that he plans to proudly display in his first home.
Our 18 year old had just passed his ASVAB test for the military and was initially told he could ship out for boot camp as soon as October.
Our baby, our almost 17 year old high school senior, was intently filling out a questionnaire and answering essay questions on an application to be a missionary.
My husbands statement began to sink in and settle in my heart.
He was right. He had spoken the truth.
Soon. Very soon. My husband and I won’t leave the kids at home to have a date.
Soon, my kids will begin a life that we have raised them for, they will follow their dreams and my husband and I will find new dreams that include two, not five. We will begin a new journey to new destinations as we discover empty nest travel together.
And suddenly I no longer wanted to cry.
Instead, I became filled with gratitude for the time I’ve had with my kids and the places we have traveled to as a family, and the relationships that we’ve developed along this less than perfect journey.
And how could I cry at that?
© 2013 – 2014, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
trisha says
October 2, 2013 at 3:38 pmYou are making me feel better about this 10 day cruise/vacation we are going on! Eventually it will be him and I, just like it started, so enjoy the between.
Trisha
Eliza Ferree says
September 29, 2013 at 7:21 pmLike you said, something to look forward too. I mean imagine all the trips you can take, days at a time as long as the two of you have time to do it. No more worrying about if the kids can sit through it or if there is enough money to bring everyone. The two of you can do things just for you guys. I imagine a lot of things have been put off while raising kids, now will be the time to do them. Exciting! It is sad yes, but you’ll have your posts, pictures and memories and in a few years maybe you can take the grandkids. 🙂
Sheila Skillingstead says
September 28, 2013 at 10:45 amMy husband picked up on that before I did, too. It touched my heart that he cared so much. So far our daughters have only moved up the freeway. I can’t imagine what it would feel like if they were out of state or in another country, although that is what we did when we were first married. Enjoy Sharefest and your future dates without your children.
Tonya says
September 28, 2013 at 8:56 pmMaybe as moms we just don’t want to think that day is approaching. 🙂
Rose Bowen says
September 26, 2013 at 10:47 amI loved this, especially the surprise twist in the middle! With only two of our nine still at home, and both of those teenagers, we know the empty nest is coming, but we are looking forward to more travel time and more time with the grandkids. Transitions are a part of life. Embrace and celebrate them!
Dawn @ The Momma Knows says
September 24, 2013 at 11:47 pmOh yes, I’m right there with you… although we have a few more years left yet. In the past 3 years we’ve gone from having FIVE kids at home to having only TWO. It took three years, but it still feels like the nest was abandoned. I’m so happy for my kids, moving out into their own adult lives, but it’s still weird and I’m still re-learning how to cook (as in, NOT for an army). The boys left are 11 and 13, and those years… man those year go SO fast. It’s coming. And we are also facing it and realizing that soon we won’t “have kids” and it will just be us. And we’re excited about it too, in a bittersweet way! Start making memories together. 🙂
Mel {MamaBuzz} says
September 24, 2013 at 6:23 pmThis post touched my heart. I don’t like to think about the time that will eventually come when our kids will be leaving the nest. This is so beautifully written. You all have certainly created many beautiful memories together…. it’s very inspiring.
Angie @ Many Little Blessings says
September 24, 2013 at 2:54 pmBeautiful post, Tonya! (((HUGS)))
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug says
September 23, 2013 at 8:52 amLoved this! I am right there with you. Although my kids have informed us that they will be traveling with us for the rest of their lives! 🙂 It is hard when you have been with them every day for 20 years and then they just go. But I like what everyone said above. Each faze of parenthood has its rewards. Dry those eyes and be glad you love your husband so much.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
September 22, 2013 at 12:36 amThis is a beautiful, moving post. Perhaps you will end up traveling to see your kids, and they will be so excited to show you the place that they call home. One day, you many even get into that whole “multi-generation” travel market when they start having their own families. Let me know if your daughter by any chance moves to Malaysia to do her missionary work. I know so many missionaries here.
Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms says
September 21, 2013 at 9:18 pmGlad it had a happy ending, I was getting concerned for a moment 🙂 . I’d rather look forward to “then” as the next natural phase in life (life is full of phases for us as parents!) vs. dread it. Before you know it, you may just have a bunch of grandkids. Happy happy happy!
Diana says
September 21, 2013 at 8:17 pmYou could have boomerangs like we do. I think our home is a revolving door. There is one rule though we insist on, let us know when you are coming home, because you never know when it will be Naked Tuesday. My husband and I can also use the kids to watch the pets while we go away knowing the house is safe. Then when they come to visit, they will sit down and have long conversations because they are there to see you and not just to run off to a friend’s house or a school event. Grown up kids sitting around the dinner table laughing and chatting long after dinner is over is one of the best things in life.
InACents says
September 21, 2013 at 1:49 pmWhile something new, something two should be exciting, I can see where the sadness can come in. While being alone with my wife will be great, I dread those days in the future when the kids are grown up and moving on with their lives. They won’t understand till they hold their own. Enlightening a child and showing them the world is just as thrilling as the destination.
Xenia says
September 21, 2013 at 10:40 amThis is one of those beautiful pieces you hope to come across… thank you for sharing
Susan says
September 21, 2013 at 10:40 amI love your posts.
Cindy Orley says
September 21, 2013 at 10:23 amBeautiful, well-written post.