Six months ago, I was preparing my head and my heart for an “empty nest.”

I knew I was going to have to adopt kids or dogs or find SOMETHING to keep myself busy or else I was going to move to wherever my daughter was going to college. I joked about it and was only a little serious.

After renting the house we currently live in for the last four years, I knew I wanted to buy again (especially if I was going to get a bunch of dogs – I’m restricted to animals since I rent). I found a wonderful “fixer upper” in Pilot Grove, MO that screamed “pick me, pick me” as soon as I walked in the door. It was being completely redone by the owner, including a brand new kitchen that I would get to design. I had my HOME BODY book by Joanna Gaines ready for inspiration!

Then something happened.

Yep, you guessed it!

As a single woman, I dabbled on the dating sites/apps from time to time, mostly out of sheer boredom. I met a few great guys on there, some CRAZY ones who still think they have their lives together and some who just don’t have a clue what it takes to be in a relationship. I could write a book!

I was just about done swiping left and right when I see his face. I recognized him, but couldn’t quite put my finger on just HOW I knew him.

“You’re friends with my ex-husband!” I said.

Immediately, my heart was discouraged because I knew we would have to stop right there. There’s that “unwritten rule” about dating one of your buddy’s ladies.

Long story short, after a lunch date and a dinner date, my fiance called my ex and got permission to pursue a relationship with me. Classy, right? He’s the best! I mean…it had been 10 years since we were married and he’s remarried so no big deal!

Empty Nest to Blended and Blessed

My fiance has six kids. Enough said. Ha!

We definitely are going to be one big & blended happy family. When all the kids are home, it’s a party of nine! I joke with my daughter that I need to buy a conversion van to fit all of us in one vehicle. She quickly responds with a “NO” each time.

I think God knew that I was going to fail miserably at being an empty-nester after my daughter goes off to college, so He said, “Here’s a man with a bunch of kids for you to continue to love and nurture. Oh, and he lives on a farm and I know you wanted chickens and the ability to see the stars at night. You’re welcome.”

Thank you, Lord!

It’s going to be an emotional six to nine months, and I’ve already apologized to my fiance for the basket case I’m about to become. Maybe I won’t, but I’m guessing so.

In 85 days, my beautiful and talented daughter will graduate from high school. Sniff, sniff, but I’m so confident her dad, stepmom and I have set her up to spread her wings and succeed.

In 99 days, I get to say I do to this handsome fella. Sigh…swoon. My heart is so happy.

If you asked me nine months ago where I thought life would take me at 40, I probably would have shared my hopes and dreams for marrying a man whose life compliments mine, maybe moving (not to where my daughter will go to college, but somewhere for a new job, possibly) and a chance to start over, trusting God’s plans for me as shared in Jeremiah 29:11:

So here we go! Here’s to the next chapter.

Beth

P.S. Now accepting donations in the form of wine and chocolate truffles I can sneak when the kids go to bed. Kidding…not really!