It’s been 950 days since I became an empty nester. Since that day in August 2022, I have relocated to the other side of the country and returned to the industry I earned my masters degree in. Exciting right. Not exactly. Don’t get me wrong, I have enjoyed learning what it is that I do and do not like about being an empty nester and challenging myself to not have FOMO from previous living arrangements.

Those of you that do not know what an empty nester is, let me define it for you. It’s really simple meaning. An empty nester is a parent whose child or children have grown up and left home. Technically this is me, but technically my child has not grown up. Let’s do a brief reintroduction as it has been some time since the last post.

I’m Kelli. Mother of one beautiful daughter. Single and working in college athletics as an academic athletic administrator for my 17th year. Rhiyan is my daughter and the best thing to happen to my life. She graduated high school at the age of 16 and earned a full ride to her dream college out of state. We share July as a birthday month and are five days apart. So of course we share some similarities in life. As we both age, we’re learning to accept as well as walk away at certain things. But let me tell you, the early teenage years were something and I’m glad we’ve put those behind us. She’s still young which is why I feel I’m not a true empty nester. Hell, Rhiyan won’t even be 21 by the time she graduates college – BRAINIAC and I’m here for it!

We’re now close to the end of year 3 of this chapter we share, and it’s feeling like decisions have to be made again; For both of us. Rhiyan has to decide what to do after college graduation and I need to decide what’s next for me. I’ve been working on this for a while and honestly have just placed something in the line of this decision so I wouldn’t have to focus so much on it. But as I’m slowly rediscovering myself outside of mom zone, the woman that was LFG mode pre-baby days is starting to peek through the cracks. Yes, I’m still nervous to step outside my comfort zone alone but growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable.

I enjoy traveling, but don’t let anyone fool you; traveling takes money. Money comes from the job I am AMAZING at, but want more from. Which leads to working harder and not traveling as much. I know, I know; Side-eyeing myself. Things were easier when we were together and doing things for and with my daughter were a goal. So why not go back to that mindset. How do I get back to that mindset. Like Nike says, just do it. Easier said than done, but needing to make that the priority in my life is important. Mommy Daughter Adventures came to be as a way to document the TIME shared together knowing it was going to slow down eventually. And it has as we both have entered different parts of our lives. But remembering the blueprint is important to me. I didn’t get a chance to enjoy this stage of life with my mother. She died before I turned 21 and I think about the moments we would have had together. I don’t want Rhiyan to not have those moments. So starting today, we’re back making memories with each other.

Location and time zones will cause some conflicts but if it is important to us, we will make it happen. Here’s to the next chapter of Mommy Daughter Adventures and maybe we can finally cross some additional things off the bucket list.