man and woman looking sad at breakfast table
The writer, not pictured, and her husband struggled with their empty nest.
  • When we dropped our son off at college, my husband and I became empty nesters.
  • We prioritized ourselves and allowed for rest to cope with our new normal.
  • We were also able to say yes to things we never thought we could before.

After packing up the car and filling the dorm room, my husband and I became new empty nesters.