Living Out Our Own Dreams

Today was a hard day.

We had so much fun this weekend spending time with our 20-year-old son, Sebastian. We loved that our entire family was together—hiking, cooking, watching movies, and just being around one another. And while we cherish the highlights, I dread the part where we put him on a plane back to Austin.

I realize this longing is more about him growing up than it is us living in different places. We don’t wish for our kids to always live under our roof and it is not our plan to support them into eternity. But there is a sadness around times changing, a sadness when things are different than they used to be.

I know this sadness from their first day of kindergarten, middle school, then high school. I know this feeling from the first time they drove off in the car by themselves. And now I know this longing from when we say, “Can’t wait to see you next time.”

I do find peace that we are all where we are supposed to be, doing what we are supposed to be doing. I remember how hard it was to move away from him, and him looking at me and saying, “You and Dad are living out your dreams, and you are teaching us kids to do the same thing. What better example could you possibly show us?”

And I believe that. We are all living out our dreams—just in two different places.

I am proud of him and of us. And I am proud as our other kids share their dreams and their plans—even when those dreams and plans are for somewhere else.

The truth is, they grow up. And I hope they grow up to always go after their dreams.