When our children reach the point of adulthood and leave the nest, it can feel like a profound loss for us as parents and even a loss of connection.

We naturally have expectations for your lives: hopes for happiness, success, and safety. Letting go of those expectations has been one of the hardest parts of this journey, but it has also been one of the most freeing.

I just read this quote on someone’s page and it definitely spoke to me in this season of life: “When people walk away from you, let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you, and it doesn’t mean they are bad people. It just means that their part in your story is over.” -Julia Roberts

These words remind me that as you walk your own path, it’s a natural step in your growth. Your choices, even when they’re different from what I might have imagined, don’t erase the moments we’ve lived together. They simply mean you are stepping into the life that is yours to live.

Letting go hasn’t just been about giving you physical freedom, it has been about loosening this parental grip on fear and the expectations that could hold us both back. Fear whispers that you’ll make mistakes, that you’ll struggle, or that life will be unkind. But mistakes are not the end of your story, they are part of it. As much as I’ve wanted to shield all of my children, I’ve come to understand that life’s most valuable lessons often come through challenges, setbacks, and the courage to stand up after a fall.

I want you to know that stumbling is not failure. It is a chance to grow, to learn, and to become even stronger. When you embrace the gift of learning, whether through education, experiences, or reflecting on your mistakes, you don’t fail; you flourish. I’ve come to see that my role isn’t to keep you from falling, but to trust that you’ll rise again, smarter and braver than before.

Letting go of fear doesn’t mean I love you any less. It doesn’t mean I’ll stop caring or cheering you on from a distance. It simply means I trust you to navigate your own path. I trust that the values, love, and lessons we’ve shared will guide you, even when the road gets hard.

Your journey is uniquely yours, and that means it will be full of surprises, missteps, unexpected turns, and moments of joy I may never have imagined. My hope is that you embrace all of it. Let go of the fear of failure, and know that no mistake can ever define you. What matters most is how you choose to respond, to reflect, and to keep growing.

Know this: my role as a mom, step-mom, and adoptive mom is far from over. I will always be an anchor, a safe harbor, and one of your greatest cheerleaders. But now it is time for you to steer your own ship. I trust the winds of love, resilience, and courage to carry you forward. I also pray that you will feel the love of God in every moment.

Letting go of my expectations and fears has allowed me to see you as the incredible individuals you are becoming, not just as the children I helped raise, but as adults capable of building lives full of meaning and purpose. It has also opened the door to a new kind of relationship with you, one built on mutual respect, trust, and unconditional love.

So, to my amazing grown girls and the little ones still at home, go boldly. Make mistakes. Learn from them. Grow in ways that surprise even yourselves. And always remember, no matter where life takes you, my love for you will remain steady, unconditional, and endless. You’ve got this, and I’ve got you. Always & Forever.

❤️ A Mom with peace that surpasses all understanding.