Our Empty Nest

This Thursday Lori, Alyssa and I drive 500 miles and drop off Ashley, my youngest, at Vanguard University in SoCal (Alyssa and Ashley in the pic to the right). We’re so excited for her… but it’s weird to think about how quiet it’s gonna be around our house!

When Alec left for school four years ago our girls were still here. It was an adjustment, but it was still a busy house and full-on parenting mode. Then, come summer, a full nest again.

When Alyssa left for college it was a little more severe. Alyssa went to school 500 miles away, Alec went back to school 500 miles away, and all of a sudden Ashley was an only-child most the year. Different, but fun.

Come summers we got Alyssa back…but now they both head off to school.

Empty nest.

This transition will be bittersweet. We are so proud of Ashley and excited for this next step in her journey, but let’s be honest… there are going to be some severe tears when we drop her off (there were plenty with the last two).

Luckily, Lori and I are both slammed with ministry this fall, together and individually. We’ll be traveling to South Africa and a few U.S. cities together, then she’ll be launching a Precept Bible study with women’s ministry at our church while I’m busy speaking and writing for The Source.

So is there a chance we won’t notice the empty house as much?

Maybe… just a little bit?

Hmmmm. I had better go stock up on Kleenex.