Empty nest

I read once that children are only lent to us for their childhood maybe that is right.

I think that's true, and between ourselves there are times when mine visit together for a few days (eg Christmas) and I'm relieved when I wave them off again. I do miss them from time to time though. I miss the bustle of how life used to be, but maybe that's just me missing being young

Eldest son went to uni then lived with GF and they are still together now. They visit and we visit them regularly.
Second son left at 18 but has been back 3 or 4 times and still stays with us for a few weeks quite regularly.
DD and DGC didn't leave until we sold the house and moved 100 miles to retire to the coast. She bought her own house at the same time. I was glad when she left and we moved as it was a very confrontational relationship. However, we get on really well now and are great friends. Ring each other regularly and we stay with her when we visit sons and extended family. She stays with us and visits frequently too. Funny how living apart made us great friends.

Not easy for me when all 4 sons left home, husband was a workaholic so when I wasn’t at work I was on my own a lot. Because we did very little together my social life revolved around friends, eventually I left, no companionship killed the marriage.