Soon to be an Empty Nester.

My daughter turns 18 today and will be heading off to college in the fall. I was asked at her graduation party how I felt and I have to say that then and now I feel excited for both of us. We will both be beginning new journeys. I am ready for her to take that next step in life and I am ready to start living my new life.

Don't get me wrong I will miss her to death and I sometimes cannot believe that 18 years have gone by so fast. However, I know that I have done my best in raising and preparing her for life. Was it perfect? No way. As we all know kids do not come with manuals but she has grown into a wonderful young lady and now it is time for her to fly solo.

Of course I will always be there to give advice when asked, at least I will do my best to only give it when asked. But who am I kidding, I am a Dad so I will more than likely give it quite often even when not asked. What she will have to get used to is me giving advice and no longer telling her what to do. She will have to accept responsibility for all her choices and I will not always be there to help her out if things do not work out. I will have to learn that I cannot always be there to help and I will not always be able to fix things.

I have to say that there is no sadness in this moment, so any any tears I will probably shed will be ones of happiness. My little girl is growing up and there is nothing I can do about it. I have to say that it has been a most interesting ride and one that I will cherish forever. We are both turning the page on new chapters in our lives and I am looking forward to what we write next in the journey book of our lives.

I know that I am indeed a better person for having raised a child and it has taught me a lot about myself and life. Now, I am ready to do my thing and allow her to do hers. I am very proud of my little girl and I know she can do great things with her life, after all she has shown me that by being a father I have already done great things with mine!