I will get to see some of my widow friends soon! I cannot wait to give them all hugs and spend a few days catching up in person.

But first, we must get there and only one of us has an empty nest. I am looking forward to it, but I have a lot of work to do. Wrapping up work projects so I can leave them without carrying any of that with me. Today I started making a list of the kids’ activities and what their schedules look like while I’m away. Although admittedly, kid shuttling looks much easier having a 17-year-old driver. The kids will need to pack and then eventually I’ll start packing myself.

The four of us meeting are in different stages of parenting solo, but we’ve all done it. One just dropped her youngest at college. The next has a senior in high school at home. I have all three still at home but my oldest is a senior in high school and the middle one is learning how to drive. The last friend has two younger kids who are still a long way off from independence.

But our time together will make all the prep worth it. Parenting alone necessitates the occasional reprieve, and I am always thankful for that time away. I love my kids, but I love some me time too. And I know for some this is a luxury they don’t have the support for; it makes me even more appreciative for what I do get.

I still have 6 years left with at least one kid at home. I am slowly starting to imagine a future beyond parenting and it’s wild. Thankfully, I have a crew of friends and some of them have walked this path already.