Last week, we began the daunting task of packing up our beautiful Park City home of 12 ½ years. As I sit here, surrounded by boxes filled with memories—crayons, school projects, tiny dresses and shoes—I realize that I’m not just packing up our home. I’m wrapping up one of the most special chapters in my life as a mom, at the same time another huge chapter is unfolding. In the fall, I will officially be an Empty Nester.
My oldest daughter just graduated college and is moving to New York City. My middle daughter is a senior in college and just landed her first summer internship. And in the next 10 weeks, my youngest, who just graduated high school, will spread her wings and fly into her future—heading to Atlanta to study animation at SCAD.
It’s a bittersweet symphony—this feeling of closing one chapter while another begins. Some days, I feel like I’m on top of everything and can handle all the change, like a well rehearsed orchestra playing a beautiful song. But most days, honestly, my life feels and sounds more like a fifth-grade recorder performance— kids all trying to play one or two songs in harmony, but it ends up being a colossal mess, sounding more like a bunch of birds squawking and flapping around.
Lately, I’ve had a few off days where I feel like I’m drowning and can’t keep up, because there’s just too many BIG changes going on all at once. (And let me also add into the mix, my husband left his job of 13 years… can’t forget that. Lol!) But I’m trying to embrace it as best I can and give myself some grace during this process.
For many moms, these moments are profoundly emotional. We’ve celebrated the last prom, the last school performance, the last day of high school. Each “last” feels like a milestone—a marker of how quickly time passes.
Yet, amid the nostalgia, there’s a whisper of promise—the thrill of “firsts”: the first Empty Nest trip with just your partner or alone, the first quiet unrushed morning, the first hobby you pick up together, and the first time you rediscover who you are outside of motherhood’s daily demands.
The Sacredness of the Lasts
There’s a unique beauty in these “lasts.” They symbolize the culmination of years of love, sacrifice, and growth. When I reflect back on my youngest’s journey from kindergarten all the way up to graduation, I remember the tiny shoes, the school plays, helping her navigate friendships, the long homework nights, and the bedtime snuggle scratchies (her favorite). Each moment was precious—small yet monumental in shaping our family’s story.
Packing up her room was like walking through a museum of memories. Each item told a story: the artwork she brought home, the stuffed animals she slept with every night, and the graduation cap and gown now hanging in her room. It was a bittersweet journey, reliving the laughter and tears, the milestones and the mundane. It’s a reminder that these moments, though fleeting, are the foundation of the life we’ve built. Together.
The Power of Embracing Change
Change is never easy. I’m not great with it, but I’ve learned to lean into it more and trust the process. As I prepare to let go, I grapple with a mix of emotions— joy for her bright future, sadness for leaving behind our home filled with so many family memories, and optimistic anticipation for what lies ahead. The truth is, motherhood is a series of seasons just like life, each with its own beauty and challenges. I’m really looking forward to this next season, it just will feel different not having them around.
While we may feel like we’re losing something, we are also gaining space. Space to rediscover ourselves, to pursue passions that were put on hold, and to forge new memories. It’s important to acknowledge the grief but also to honor the excitement of what’s to come.
Looking Forward: Firsts on the Horizon
The first trip without children (It’s been a minute for us!), the first date night to try a new restaurant, the first quiet Sunday morning walk with the dogs, these are the moments that await us. They’re not replacements for the busy, messy, beautiful chaos of motherhood; rather, they are new chapters that enrich our lives in different ways.
As I prepare for their departures, I remind myself that this isn’t an ending—it’s a transition. It’s an invitation to embrace the freedom and the possibilities that come with an Empty Nest. And it’s a chance to celebrate the incredible journey we’ve shared.
Holding on and Letting Go
It’s natural to want to hold on tightly—to cling to the past, to the memories, to the familiar. But true strength lies in cherishing those memories while opening our hearts to new experiences. Our children’s independence is a testament to our love and sacrifice; it’s also an opportunity for growth—for them and for us.
I’ve learned that the most meaningful moments aren’t just the milestones we mark in photographs—they’re the quiet, everyday gestures: the morning hugs, the bedtime stories, the conversations about dreams and goals. These moments become the fabric of our lives, woven with love and hope.
A New Season of Motherhood
As September approaches, I will face a much quieter house. I will mourn the “lasts,” but I will also celebrate the “firsts.” Because in every ending, there is a beginning. In every goodbye, there’s a hello.
Motherhood isn’t about holding on forever; it’s about letting go gracefully, trusting that the love we’ve poured into our children will carry them—and us—forward. It’s about knowing that this chapter might be changing, but the story will still continue, richer and more beautiful than ever.
So, to my fellow moms in this season—embrace these moments with gratitude. Cherish the memories, but look forward with hope. Your journey isn’t over; it’s simply taking a new turn. And in that turn, there are endless possibilities waiting to be discovered.
Here’s to the lasts and the firsts—may they be filled with love, grace, and a heart open to all that’s yet to come.
P.S. This is my youngest daughter and her best friend since kindergarten. They are leaving Park City as well, and so the two of them thought it would be so fun to hire a photographer and take some pictures around our beautiful Town. I’m so grateful she has gone through this chapter of life with her best friend. They are so lucky to have each other. Cheers to their next best chapter!
Read the Comments +