The Home that Stayed (part 3)
Lately, I’ve been a little distant. If you asked me how I’m doing, the answer would probably depend on the day. Sometimes I’d tell you I’m great and completely mean it. Other days, I might have to fight back tears before answering. There’s nothing terribly wrong. Life is just changing. Two of my kids are moving out. New jobs, college, new homes, new beginnings. Things I raised them to do and things I am incredibly proud of them for. I just thought this part of my life would look different. I think I pictured someone beside me for these moments. Someone to notice the quieter house with me. Someone to build the next chapter with. And maybe that’s part of what I’ve been realizing lately. I’ve dated a little, but I’m not interested in dating just to date. I don’t want temporary attention or to fill someone’s empty space. I don’t want to rush intimacy with someone I barely know. I want friendship first. I want inside jokes and long conversations. I want to learn someone slowly and...
