As August rolls on, I’m preparing for a major life shift-sending not one, but two kids off to college.

This fall, my daughter will begin her journey as a freshman at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), ready to explore a new chapter in the sunshine-filled town of Fort Myers. Meanwhile, my son is entering his second year at the University of South Florida (USF), well on his way toward earning his degree and carving out his own path.

I’m incredibly proud of both of them. But I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t bittersweet.

The house that once echoed with teenage chatter, shared meals, and last-minute school deadlines is starting to feel a little quieter-and emptier.

I’ve been bracing for the ‘empty nest’ for a while. And now that it’s actually happening, it feels surreal.

Watching Their Independence Take Flight

One of the most rewarding parts of parenting-yet also the most emotional-is watching your kids grow into their independence. It’s happening right before my eyes. They’re making decisions for themselves, solving their own problems, setting their own goals. And while I’ll always be their biggest cheerleader, I know this next stage is about them leading their own lives.

My daughter is eager to make new friends, figure out her place in the world, and maybe even learn how to do laundry without help. My son is more confident this year-he’s navigating his classes, campus life, and adulthood with a little more ease. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, even if it tugs at my heart.

This growing independence doesn’t mean I’m any less involved. It just means I’m learning how to support them from a different seat-more in the stands now than on the field.

While emotions are running high, so is the excitement. My daughter is already shopping for dorm supplies and dreaming of beachside study breaks, while my son is eager to reunite with friends and dive deeper into his major at USF.

Still, the looming quiet at home is a reality that’s setting in fast.

Everything is changing-the routines, the conversations-it’s all shifting. I’ll miss them deeply, but this is their time to soar.

As the suitcases pile up and the goodbyes draw near, one thing is clear: while my nest may be emptying, my heart is fuller than ever-with love, pride, and hope for what’s ahead.