When Rob and I first married – there were quite a few people who advised us to wait a few years before adding children to the mix. The reasoning was so that our relationship would have time to get really strong and healthy – or that we should take advantage of the ability to travel and “do stuff.” Looking back on it now, and knowing what I know, I wonder if our advisers were really thinking, “You are too young to be getting married – please don’t try becoming parents now, too!” It doesn’t matter why they advised us so – we listened to their wise counsel.
It was four solid years before we started “trying” and then another year-and-a-half of monthly ups and downs – hoping, waiting, having hopes dashed, finding the strength to hope again. When Elizabeth finally arrived, just a month before our 6th anniversary, I felt like I’d been waiting for her my whole life. I was determined to not take even a moment for granted. (Nick was a “first shot out of the barn” baby…(TMI? sorry!), but that did not diminish my appreciation of him, or my determination to enjoy and appreciate every single second). This final year of all-four-of-us-live-in-the-same-house has been full of moments I will treasure forever. After all, I’ve been “aware” of the countdown to “one-of-us-leaves-the-nest” since Elizabeth’s first birthday.
In April, Elizabeth and Nick went on a great trip to Florida with their school band. They were gone four nights. It was the first time since 1994 that Rob and I were home alone for that long. A few days into it I realized that this is going to be the norm for us in only 3 years! All this time, I’ve been thinking about the first one leaving for college, but hadn’t done the math that the second exodus was so close behind.
I am happy to report that we are going to be just fine. Even better than fine. The lyrics to Billy Joel’s “You’re My Home” aptly described how I felt when Rob and I were able to spend time together in college (we dated long-distance all four years):
well i’ll never be a stranger
and i’ll never be alone
wherever we’re together that’s my home.
What a Blessing to still feel this way. I am thankful to God, because I know His hand is in this. I am also thankful to those who shared wisdom with us so long ago. You know who you are. 🙂
Kim Perry Writes 
Leave a comment