February 12, 2025 • 28 mins
This episode offers a playful yet poignant exploration of Valentine’s Day, filled with laughter and relatable stories about love in midlife. The hosts share personal anecdotes about past Valentine's experiences while discussing the broader theme of emotional wellness and positive thinking.
• Reflecting on life’s current challenges and their impact
• Importance of self-care and intentional living
• Discussing the pressures of Valentine’s Day expectations
• Sharing funny stories from their own Valentine's adventures
• Emphasizing the value of connection, both romantic and platonic
• Offering strategies for maintaining a positive mindset
• Celebrating the diversity of love beyond societal norms
• Encouraging listeners to gather emotional tools for life's challenges
• Discussing the joy of community and shared experiences
Stay connected with us on YouTube and Instagram at Empty Nest Quest Podcast for more resources and updates. Until next time, keep embracing the journey and thriving on your empty nest quest.
We want to hear from you! Reach out to us on socials or at emptynestquestpod@gmail.com to share how our conversations are landing with you! xo-Melynda and Jennifer
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Welcome to the Empty Nest Quest, the podcast where we
redefine midlife and embracethe journey ahead.
Join your hosts, jennifer andMelinda, as we share inspiring
stories, helpful hints,entrepreneurial advice and tips
that will have you thriving notjust surviving, during this
transformative time of your life.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Whether you're approaching the empty nest phase
or already navigating it, we'rehere to support you every step
of the way.
Let's embark on this questtogether.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Okay, hey y'all Hello everybody Welcome, welcome,
welcome.
Yes, this is the EmptinessQuest Valentine's edition.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yeah, I was going to do my brown chicken.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Yeah, that's right.
Brown chicken brown cow, oh mygosh.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yes, valentine's day is this Friday and yeah, I don't
know, y'all, know we, just wegot we're just in the mood to
cut up a little bit, becauselife is just a little too lifey,
and so we need way too manyserious things going on, so
we're going to talk all thingsValentine's day and maybe what
we like to do on Valentine's daywith our special someone,
(01:23):
someone, and maybe some funnystories about some of our past
Valentine's Day, and we'd loveto hear from y'all too.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So, oh my gosh, please tell us, please tell us
your best and worst Valentine'sDay stories.
We need them all oh my gosh sohow have you been pretty good,
um, yeah, just, it's been just alot happening, like Johnny and
I both like wanting to, you know, just run back and forth to our
parents and be with them andthey've got stuff going on and
(01:52):
then, yeah, just kind of like aweird, like lots of doctor's
appointments kind of stuff,right, and that isn't it funny
how that just throws you off.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
It really does Like it really does.
When somebody in your familyhas got something going on, so
it does, it's well, and you justyou know it it becomes all
consuming because you thinkabout it, you want to, you want
to help and sometimes you justcan't do anything.
You know all you can do is prayand be there for them if they
need you, and so it is hard.
(02:22):
It's.
It's hard having older parentsthat you want to it's.
You've just really have to giveup that control.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, yeah.
And then I just think, you knowfor myself, I just have to
remember all the things thatkeep me sane, and so I've just
been taking, like some nice longwalks and um that that has
honestly been so helpful andprobably reading a little too
much.
I don't know how many hours I'mclocking a day on my Kindle but
(02:50):
that is like my winter I don'tthink that counts as screen time
.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I don't think your Kindle counts as screen time.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
I'll give you.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I'll give you that Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Thank you, thank you, then I'm doing all right.
Then I'm doing all right.
What about you?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
It's been good it's been.
You know crazy January was.
It was just not a good month.
But you know what February isHappy.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
New Year.
Happy New Year.
We said we were going to do itat the beginning of every month.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Absolutely.
It's funny, my assistantprincipal, she was like.
She said you know what?
I think the beginning ofFebruary we're going to have
like a new year celebration.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Yes, I'm going to go.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Chinese.
Hey, I mean, I say let's gowith it.
That's right it is, becausethis is just.
We are going to start a new inFebruary, so, um, but yeah it's,
you know it's, it's good Justcounting my blessings and, um,
trying to do one of my ends thatwe talked about a couple of
(03:51):
weeks ago is letting go andletting go of that control.
So I am, it's a work inprogress.
I love it.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
It is a work in progress.
While you say that, so like,what kinds of things do you do
to help yourself?
It is a work in progress.
Well, while you say that, solike, what kinds of things do
you do to help yourself?
Speaker 2 (04:06):
So Mike and I have been doing this.
I guess it would be a bookstudy on the 40 days to a
joy-filled life.
Right, tommy Newberry is theauthor and it is so amazing.
It really has been so powerfulfor both of us.
(04:26):
We don't read it together, butoftentimes what I do.
I think I talked to you aboutthis.
I'll get up, and I get up soearly that I read it first, and
so I'll underline or I'llhighlight and put stars, and so
when he reads it he kind of seeswhat stood out to me and what's
important to me.
But it is every single day.
I'm like, oh my gosh, this issuch a great.
(04:49):
Every day I get a good takeawayand I'll often like take
screenshots and send it to mykids.
Stephanie has actually done thebook study before and she's the
one who told me about it, butit is good.
I recommend it completely and Icould even see us doing a
podcast series, a book study onthis, because it is so great.
(05:10):
And one thing that I took awaythis past week that I've thought
about every day.
You know, when you think aboutsomething more than a couple of
times, it's like, oh, that wasreally powerful.
Yeah, like God's putting it onyour heart.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Yes, that was really powerful.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, like God's putting it on your heart, yes,
and one thing they said is yourthoughts are.
That is that is up to you andyou have to be very intentional
about what you are putting in toyour mind.
And one thing they said was youcan only have one thought in
(05:47):
your mind at a time.
Sometimes I think we have somany things going on in our life
and especially with socialmedia and having our phone, we
feel like we have all thesethoughts, you know, floating
into our mind at one time, butthey were like you can only have
.
You can only hold one thoughtin your mind at a time.
(06:08):
What that thought is is up toyou.
So they recommend they gaveseveral scriptures to repeat to
yourself, or if you have acertain song that you can sing.
And I have really been focusingon that because if I get my, I
have found that if I really amintentional about positive
(06:33):
things and quotes and scripturesand podcasts that I listen to,
if I am very intentional aboutthat and keep it positive, it
has such an amazing effect onthe rest of my day to where, if
something is negative thathappens, I don't react as
(06:56):
negatively as if I would have.
Yeah, If I didn't do the work.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Yeah, I, it's so funny you say that I just heard,
um, I just heard Martha Becktalking about this, cause she
has a new book out called BeyondAnxiety and I just started
listening to it, so I can'tspeak a ton to it yet, but I
just love her.
And she says one of theexperiments she has clients do
(07:23):
is to think you're kind of extradetrimental thought that you
have, like whether it's that youwake up and you're like you
know we how we all kind of haveour go-to bag of icky thoughts
Like it might be about the wayyou look, it might be about
money, it might be about yourspouse, but she said so.
I want you to kind of think ofone of those ick ones, right,
(07:44):
and I want you to walk in yourlike favorite little coffee shop
in the morning and get yourcoffee, and I want you to notice
how you perceive the coffeeshop.
Yes, and she was like and thenI want you to go back next week
or tomorrow and I want you toflip that and think tap into
something that you can actuallybelieve, that resonates with you
(08:06):
.
That is true, that is good,right, and think that and fill
yourself with that and then walkin and notice how you perceive
the coffee shop.
And she was like the thing isis everybody's mirroring back to
you what you're projecting out?
And that is kind of hard toswallow when you're in a bad
place.
And I just want to say, ifyou're out there and and the
(08:28):
positivity thing just feels likedebilitating to hear somebody
say, let me tell you my hack onthis, and then we will get to
the Valentine's, but this is soimportant, so, and I think.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Sometimes it can feel superficial.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
It can't well, and that's what happens to me.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
I think I can't think it's like's like.
Why would I do that?
Speaker 1 (08:52):
That's just, that's sometimes it feels too.
Yeah, sometimes you can, you'remaybe you're just a little bit
misaligned, and so you can reachfor like the verse or the quote
or the song, and it works.
And sometimes you're a littlelike the despair is a little too
much and you're like I can'tthink of anything positive,
right.
And so this is one of thetricks I used to do with the
girls when they were little andthey'd kind of be on an anxious
(09:12):
spin out, and I do it for myself.
I will say is there any waythat you could just crack the
door open, just open the windowa little bit, and is there a
possibility that things could goa little bit better than you
think?
And that's all you need is tobe able to just crack the door
(09:33):
open.
You don't have to fling it wideopen.
I mean, flinging it wide openis amazing when you develop that
skill and I do think you havethat skill.
I love that about you and Ithink you have it.
But a lot of times I just think,and I also know you've been in
places where you can't fling thedoor wide open right, right, we
all have right, but I but Ilove to say there was no
(09:55):
flinging anything open but Ijust want to say, instead of
like, like railroading yourselfwith something that feels
unrealistic, like, jot down afew things.
So maybe jot down the one youwish you could believe, like
everything is going to go my waytoday, and then you're like all
(10:16):
right, I can't get behind that.
I am not, you know, a Disneyprincess.
And so then you write down afew today's going to go better
than I think.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Like, that's what I ended up leaning on.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
years ago, when I was doing some self-development
work, I was just like, oh mygosh, why can't I think of
anything positive to say?
I was just in a rough place andso I just kept the word.
Possibility is what I put inevery sentence.
It is possible.
It's possible that I'm wrong.
It is possible that it's not asbad.
Right, it is possible thatthings could go way better than
(10:48):
I think.
And I am here to tell y'allthat every time that I have said
that to myself, enough to wheremy brain finally was like, yeah
, it is, it is possible thatthis is not going to be as awful
as I think.
Right, it is unbelievable how,all of a sudden, the help shows
up, or all of a sudden, I getlike that nudge, that intuitive
(11:10):
nudge that I know is like theHoly spirit going.
Yeah, I was here the whole time.
You just couldn't hear me overyour negative sound system.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
You got played here.
Is that person that is, youknow, going to make the
difference?
In your life, or here's thatidea.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Yes, having a little arsenal of and if, and if you
can find something that feelseven more moving to you, that
attaches to that, like you said,like a song or scripture or um
a poem or even just like apicture you know a lot of people
(11:45):
are really visual and it's niceto just have a little picture
that they can keep in their caror on their you know and put
post-it notes.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
I love to put little quotes or words of encouragement
on post-it notes for myself.
I have them on my desk atschool.
You know just just littlepersonal, even if it's just one
word that will remind you.
Yes, you have it right there.
I mean, it's just, it's soimportant to have those tools in
(12:15):
your tool belt when you don'tneed them.
Don't wait until you need them.
Very true, and that's what itkind of.
It's funny.
I had a conversation with oneof my students last week and
she's having a really, reallyhard time in math, and she's
having a really, really hardtime in math and so I'm giving
her strategies that will helpher on any test, and especially,
(12:40):
of course, you know we're inthe state of end of the year
test still and so she's going toand I'm like and I explained it
to her I'm like you have a toolbelt, you can't see it, but you
have a tool belt around yourwaist and I am giving you tools
to put in that tool belt now.
We're not waiting until thetest, we're not waiting until
(13:02):
you need them, we're puttingthem in there now.
And I think it's very similarto what you said.
You know, put those tools inyour tool belt when you don't
necessarily need them, sothey're available when you do.
And I love the idea aboutcracking the window open.
That is such a great tool tohave.
And when you do get in thatplace where you feel like you
(13:25):
can't breathe and that thingsare not going your way, open
that window just a little bit.
Open that window just a littlebit, and is there a possibility
that things are not as bad orwon't be as bad as what you
think so, yeah, and sometimes ittakes before you can even I
mean sometimes before you evenget your mind around words.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
It might be that you know that you need to get
outside, or that you need tocall a friend, or that you need
to.
You know, whatever it's like youmight need to like shake things
up a little bit for yourself tohelp you, because sometimes the
worst thing we can do is keepsitting still and letting the
ruminating thought take over andover and over, because that,
the anxious thoughts I mean.
Yeah, we definitely need to doan episode on this, because
(14:10):
anxious thoughts really spiderout and they truly sort of like
numb your whole brain.
So yeah, so, so yeah, I lovethat.
I love that you're doing thatstudy with Mike.
It was Stephanie and, um, I'mgonna keep hearing more about
that, but okay so, y'all, we'regonna talk about Valentine's.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Day.
Now.
What do you and Johnny do onValentine's Day?
Do y'all?
Speaker 1 (14:32):
have okay, but here's why.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Here's why y'all know my man is so sweet, it's been
so commercialized and I feellike a lot of people are now,
are like anti Valentine's day.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Well, listen we're the OGs of anti Valentine's day
because Johnny and I starteddating in college.
We were babies, we starteddating when we were sophomores
in college and so our very firstValentine's day we had been
dating almost a year and I hadjust come home from I had
(15:02):
studied abroad for a semester,so I'd been gone for like a
really long time.
I left in July and get hometill December.
I mean we literally wroteletters through air mail and
talked on the phone twice.
I mean really we would.
I feel like I'm you know, likewhen your grandparents used to
talk about like writing lettersto their loved ones that were in
the army and the war.
I feel like my girls think thatour story's like that and I'm
(15:24):
like no, it really was not thatextreme.
I was just studying abroad,nothing serious was happening,
but but it really we truly didhave a whole box of kind of
written on that airmail tissueand boy let one letter get out
of order and it was so confusing.
I'm like what?
Speaker 2 (15:41):
what are you talking?
Speaker 1 (15:42):
about what happened last letter shoot, and so,
anyway, it was fun it was cute,I know it was it was a great way
to develop communication soI've gotten home, it's
Valentine's day and so we putall this pressure on Valentine's
day because, you know, wewanted it to be fun and by the
time we got together we wereboth so stressed out trying to
(16:03):
make each other cause, you know,we're also in college and we're
broke as a joke.
So, you had to.
We're trying to be creative,right?
So I was trying to make somelittle crafty something for him
and then I did it and it justlooked dumb.
You know it was so cheesylooking and I was like I can't
give him this goofy.
I remember what I did.
I bought a flower pot and I gotlittle tongue depressor like
(16:24):
little popsicle sticks and I didlittle hearts and I was going
to do all this.
Well, you can like a firstgrader project.
So then I was like can I takethis to him?
This is so embarrassing and hehad done something for me in any
way.
When we got together, the bestpart of the whole thing was we
were like I I'm embarrassed togive you what I got you.
I'm embarrassed like I don't.
(16:45):
I'm not, I don't know.
We both were so and we hadnever been awkward before.
Right, and johnny goes okay,what is going on here?
We cannot let val, letValentine's Day be the thing
that like takes us down, likewe're too fun for this.
Yes, and so, anyway, we endedup deciding.
We literally shook hands.
We were like we're about to goget some chicken fingers and
(17:07):
fries.
We're going to go for a run, getchicken fingers and fries, and
we're going to shake hands thatas long as we're together, we
are never doing Valentine's dayagain, right?
And we and we stood on thatuntil about two or three years
ago when little Anna used youknow her magic way with words
and said hey, mom and dad, it'sreally kind of sad that we have
(17:29):
these parents that like don't doValentine's day and we need an
example of parents who show usthey love each other and do
think.
And we were like OMG.
So Johnny was like I take yougirls, you know like we do
something Valentini with thegirls and give them Valentine's.
But she was like, yeah, butwhat about y'all?
So for the past couple of yearswe'll do something around
(17:51):
valentine's day.
Ish, right, take the girls todinner and do something where
johnny takes all his valentine'sto dinner yeah, but we're just.
We have just moved away from itand I love it for people who
love it right I?
do too, I love it.
I think holidays are so fun,and if you're one of those
people and you just know how todo it and it and it's fun, right
?
Please like, be my friend andshare your story, because I love
(18:13):
it For Johnny and me, though,it just puts us in a place that
we don't need.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I think it can give you like the false expectation.
You know, all the falseexpectations are out there and
it's like the hallmark, you know.
You think about OK, what is myhallmark?
Valentine's Day day?
Speaker 1 (18:32):
well, that's just not reality but now that we're
talking about, I do sort of wantone of those hearts with all
the chocolates.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
I know, I know.
Well, we should be eating that.
You know what?
Do you know?
What I do, though, is I alwaysthe bottom because I don't like,
like the orange yeah, oh, 100.
You gotta look nasty yeah so Ilove the caramel ones caramel
with sea salt.
Sign salt, sign me up, yes, butum, okay, so but do you have a
(18:57):
Valentine's story?
Speaker 1 (18:58):
I have a funny.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Valentine's story.
So this is after um my firsthusband and I were divorced.
I talk about like first husband, like I have five of them or
something I this is only herfirst of 11.
This is only my second marriage,my second and last Um, but
after my divorce it was um, youknow it was.
(19:21):
I was single for Valentine'sday and so, um, I went to, um, I
was at Lenox mall.
I was staying with my parentsin Atlanta and I was at Lenox
mall and I was like, you know,I'm going to, I'm going to go
see a movie, and I had not seena movie in years.
(19:42):
You know, I didn't really keepup with what was playing.
I really didn't know what wasgoing on.
So I was like, well, there'sthis movie.
I swear swear.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
I was about to say did you guys see 50 shades of
gray on valentine's by?
Speaker 2 (19:59):
myself on valentine's day.
That's hilarious.
I felt like the biggest loseraround.
It was hilarious.
I was on the end of an aisle,sitting next to it was packed.
I mean, it's valentine's day.
I was sitting next to a couple.
I was like this is, this is thelow, this is, this is, this is
(20:20):
the lowest of the low.
This is bad, you know.
And so it was.
That was I was.
It was funny.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
And I really didn't know.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
I mean, I knew it was like a couple leash.
I didn't know it was a coupleshow it was about.
This couple had a no idea thatit was like you know, little
risque, to say the least.
I was like okie dokie.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Well, I'm going home.
You're like if that's what I'mmissing.
I'll just miss it, I think.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
I'm, yeah, I'm done, but yeah, so that was.
And then Mike and I met inMarch and yeah, but Mike and I,
we, I mean we don't have likeunrealistic expectations for
Valentine's day.
We get to each other cards andum, and we try to do something
Valentine's day ish, but if itdoesn't, we do it when we want
(21:20):
to, right, right, like we willnever go out to eat on
Valentine's day.
I mean that's ridiculous.
Everybody and their brother isout on Valentine's day, and you
know.
And then it's just, it seemslike it's more expensive and
it's just.
I don't know, I know.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
And then I'm not a really big flower person, I'm
not either I really don't,johnny won't give me flowers,
because I scared him so bad whenwe were dating.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Really.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Yeah, I was like, don't be just trying to say
every emotion with a bouquet offlowers.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Just be a man and talk to me.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Yes, and he was so he I mean even the girls were we.
We talked about it overChristmas.
We were at the beach and Anna'sboyfriend said something about
flowers and Johnny is don't askme, I've never given flowers and
he was like what?
Speaker 2 (22:06):
and I like random flowers.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
I want flowers sometimes, but he's scared.
He's like.
You know I'm getting for me.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
I like, I like flowers, but I don't like it to
be like over and over.
Oh, here's, you know,valentine's Day, here's
anniversary, here's this.
I like it to be like totallyrandom, right, right, right.
And that to me means so muchyeah, you know, yeah, so um.
But yeah, valentine's day, Imean it's fine and but usually
(22:33):
in February I don't want a bunchof chocolate or I mean I'm
still keeping it halfwaytogether.
You know, I don't want stillkeeping it halfway together you
know I don't want, I don't wantto totally ruin things this
early in the year, and so she'sgot goals y'all.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
I say this and I own a cookie dough company, I know,
you know, but um exactly highlyhighly encourage everyone to go
out there and get cookie dough.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Yeah, before this year I've put together like
valentine's day packages.
I just don't have time, I meanbut you know that.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
No, you just made me think like a fun idea.
If you don't want to go all theway out to dinner, though,
would be just go get a sweettreat together and preferably at
alumni, cookie that's right,that's what I'm gonna say, and
get yourself over to alumnicookie day, you know I never
thought about just like doingsomething fun like that it's
little yeah Instead of dinner ornothing.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
Right, right, I think , just be more flexible and
forgiving with each other.
And I think if Valentine's Dayis really important to you you
know, I think that goes back tocommunication.
I mean, you've got to knowwhat's important for your
significant other and if that issomething that's really
(23:49):
important to them, then make abig deal out of it.
You know, I think it's justimportant to be there for each
other, and I mean we can haveValentine's day any day of the
year and I, just what I lovemore than Valentine's day is
Galentine stuff.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
I just love the girl, I love the girl the year and I
just what I love more thanValentine's Day is Galentine
stuff.
I just love the girl, I lovethe girl's stuff and I've always
loved doing stuff for my kidsfor Valentine's.
That's just fun Cause it's cuteand fun and my mom used to
always give me like heartjewelry, but um so I love like
all of that and I love doingthings with girlfriends for
Valentine's.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Day, but for sure.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
I think that's really fun.
I um, so, I so my funnyvalentines are.
So when I was in high school um, I know everybody's school
didn't let them do this, but wewere small town you could send
people flowers and stuff toschool and then they would hold
them in the office for you.
But you know you would getcalled to the office to come see
them and then you knoweverybody that went through the
(24:43):
office would see your flowersand be like, oh my gosh, you're
so loved and popular, you gotflowers from somebody you know
it was like such a big deal.
And so my friends, um, and thenthey had, did your high school,
do the thing where, like someclub did a fundraiser and you
could buy the carnations.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Yes, yes, yes, and, like you, would just feel like
such a sad soul.
I cringed.
I cringed every year, cause Iwas like, oh my gosh, I know
that, you know, you had, youplay it out in your mind.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
Like.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
I know that so-and-so is going to get like 25 and I'm
probably going to get like oneor two or maybe even not any at
all.
You, just you know you youcompletely play out this mind
movie in your head that most ofthe time doesn't even work out
that way.
Speaker 1 (25:31):
Well, there was this one year that my girlfriends and
I decided we were not, we werenot having it that year, we were
not going to be the ones thatdidn't get them.
So we all send them to eachother.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
We even did the whole thing where we called the
florist and be the ones thatdidn't get them.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
So we all sent them to each other, like got all
these, like carnations.
We even did the whole thingwhere we called the florist and
sent each other other flowers.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
That is hilarious.
I did not think of that.
We were so over the top.
Oh my gosh, that would havesaved me a lot of stress.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Well, the funny thing was is so then, though, people
in the office because you knowpeople, because we have like
these people called office aidesand it'd be like two high
school Well then, the officeaides read your card, and so, of
course, my flowers.
They like love Allison, andthey're like, oh, you and
Allison don't really have aboyfriend.
Anyway, it was so funny, it wasjust so funny.
Oh, my Lordy.
(26:17):
It was so great, but yeah, we wewould always just try to
pretend we had Valentine's, so Ithink that also may be taming
it for me in later life.
But, yeah, so I think I wouldlove to hear what people do,
though, but I think thatValentine's Day can be kind of
hilarious.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
It can, and I think you just have to kind of, I mean
, if you still have kids at home.
I definitely love to do thingsaround Valentine's Day, and my
parents do.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
Valentine's.
They do cards, they do flowers,they do chocolates.
They think it's hilarious andthey love all the lovey-dovey
funny cards.
I mean they have a good timewith it.
They've always done it.
That's so funny.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
It would be weird if they didn't Do what works for
you, Absolutely.
And then you know don't have,but don't have too high
expectations and for goodnessgracious, do not go see a movie
by yourself.
And if you do, read the reviewsbefore you go, oh, see the
preview.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
See the preview.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Lordy, lordy lordy, see the preview.
Oh my gosh, I will never forgetthat night Ever.
That was the longest movie ever.
That was hysterical.
I would love to be a flaw onthe wall watching Ever.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
That was the longest movie ever.
That is hysterical.
I would love to be a flaw onthe wall watching you watch that
so funny.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
My eyes about bugged out of my head.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Oh my Lord, we will see you next time.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Happy Valentine's Day .
Yes, happy Valentine's Day.
Bye, bye.
Thank you for joining us on theEmpty Nest Quest.
We hope today's episode broughtyou inspiration, insight and a
sense of community.
Remember, this is your time tothrive.
If you enjoyed the show, besure to subscribe, leave a
(27:54):
review and share it with friends.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Stay connected with us on YouTube and Instagram at
Empty Nest Quest Podcast formore resources and updates.
Until next time, keep embracingthe journey and thriving on
your empty nest quest.
Welcome to the Empty Nest Quest, the podcast where we
redefine midlife and embracethe journey ahead.
Join your hosts, jennifer andMelinda, as we share inspiring
stories, helpful hints,entrepreneurial advice and tips
that will have you thriving notjust surviving, during this
transformative time of your life.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Whether you're approaching the empty nest phase
or already navigating it, we'rehere to support you every step
of the way.
Let's embark on this questtogether.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Okay, hey y'all Hello everybody Welcome, welcome,
welcome.
Yes, this is the EmptinessQuest Valentine's edition.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yeah, I was going to do my brown chicken.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Yeah, that's right.
Brown chicken brown cow, oh mygosh.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yes, valentine's day is this Friday and yeah, I don't
know, y'all, know we, just wegot we're just in the mood to
cut up a little bit, becauselife is just a little too lifey,
and so we need way too manyserious things going on, so
we're going to talk all thingsValentine's day and maybe what
we like to do on Valentine's daywith our special someone,
(01:23):
someone, and maybe some funnystories about some of our past
Valentine's Day, and we'd loveto hear from y'all too.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So, oh my gosh, please tell us, please tell us
your best and worst Valentine'sDay stories.
We need them all oh my gosh sohow have you been pretty good,
um, yeah, just, it's been just alot happening, like Johnny and
I both like wanting to, you know, just run back and forth to our
parents and be with them andthey've got stuff going on and
(01:52):
then, yeah, just kind of like aweird, like lots of doctor's
appointments kind of stuff,right, and that isn't it funny
how that just throws you off.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
It really does Like it really does.
When somebody in your familyhas got something going on, so
it does, it's well, and you justyou know it it becomes all
consuming because you thinkabout it, you want to, you want
to help and sometimes you justcan't do anything.
You know all you can do is prayand be there for them if they
need you, and so it is hard.
(02:22):
It's.
It's hard having older parentsthat you want to it's.
You've just really have to giveup that control.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, yeah.
And then I just think, you knowfor myself, I just have to
remember all the things thatkeep me sane, and so I've just
been taking, like some nice longwalks and um that that has
honestly been so helpful andprobably reading a little too
much.
I don't know how many hours I'mclocking a day on my Kindle but
(02:50):
that is like my winter I don'tthink that counts as screen time
.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
I don't think your Kindle counts as screen time.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
I'll give you.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I'll give you that Okay.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Thank you, thank you, then I'm doing all right.
Then I'm doing all right.
What about you?
Speaker 2 (03:01):
It's been good it's been.
You know crazy January was.
It was just not a good month.
But you know what February isHappy.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
New Year.
Happy New Year.
We said we were going to do itat the beginning of every month.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Absolutely.
It's funny, my assistantprincipal, she was like.
She said you know what?
I think the beginning ofFebruary we're going to have
like a new year celebration.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Yes, I'm going to go.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Chinese.
Hey, I mean, I say let's gowith it.
That's right it is, becausethis is just.
We are going to start a new inFebruary, so, um, but yeah it's,
you know it's, it's good Justcounting my blessings and, um,
trying to do one of my ends thatwe talked about a couple of
(03:51):
weeks ago is letting go andletting go of that control.
So I am, it's a work inprogress.
I love it.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
It is a work in progress.
While you say that, so like,what kinds of things do you do
to help yourself?
It is a work in progress.
Well, while you say that, solike, what kinds of things do
you do to help yourself?
Speaker 2 (04:06):
So Mike and I have been doing this.
I guess it would be a bookstudy on the 40 days to a
joy-filled life.
Right, tommy Newberry is theauthor and it is so amazing.
It really has been so powerfulfor both of us.
(04:26):
We don't read it together, butoftentimes what I do.
I think I talked to you aboutthis.
I'll get up, and I get up soearly that I read it first, and
so I'll underline or I'llhighlight and put stars, and so
when he reads it he kind of seeswhat stood out to me and what's
important to me.
But it is every single day.
I'm like, oh my gosh, this issuch a great.
(04:49):
Every day I get a good takeawayand I'll often like take
screenshots and send it to mykids.
Stephanie has actually done thebook study before and she's the
one who told me about it, butit is good.
I recommend it completely and Icould even see us doing a
podcast series, a book study onthis, because it is so great.
(05:10):
And one thing that I took awaythis past week that I've thought
about every day.
You know, when you think aboutsomething more than a couple of
times, it's like, oh, that wasreally powerful.
Yeah, like God's putting it onyour heart.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Yes, that was really powerful.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, like God's putting it on your heart, yes,
and one thing they said is yourthoughts are.
That is that is up to you andyou have to be very intentional
about what you are putting in toyour mind.
And one thing they said was youcan only have one thought in
(05:47):
your mind at a time.
Sometimes I think we have somany things going on in our life
and especially with socialmedia and having our phone, we
feel like we have all thesethoughts, you know, floating
into our mind at one time, butthey were like you can only have
.
You can only hold one thoughtin your mind at a time.
(06:08):
What that thought is is up toyou.
So they recommend they gaveseveral scriptures to repeat to
yourself, or if you have acertain song that you can sing.
And I have really been focusingon that because if I get my, I
have found that if I really amintentional about positive
(06:33):
things and quotes and scripturesand podcasts that I listen to,
if I am very intentional aboutthat and keep it positive, it
has such an amazing effect onthe rest of my day to where, if
something is negative thathappens, I don't react as
(06:56):
negatively as if I would have.
Yeah, If I didn't do the work.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Yeah, I, it's so funny you say that I just heard,
um, I just heard Martha Becktalking about this, cause she
has a new book out called BeyondAnxiety and I just started
listening to it, so I can'tspeak a ton to it yet, but I
just love her.
And she says one of theexperiments she has clients do
(07:23):
is to think you're kind of extradetrimental thought that you
have, like whether it's that youwake up and you're like you
know we how we all kind of haveour go-to bag of icky thoughts
Like it might be about the wayyou look, it might be about
money, it might be about yourspouse, but she said so.
I want you to kind of think ofone of those ick ones, right,
(07:44):
and I want you to walk in yourlike favorite little coffee shop
in the morning and get yourcoffee, and I want you to notice
how you perceive the coffeeshop.
Yes, and she was like and thenI want you to go back next week
or tomorrow and I want you toflip that and think tap into
something that you can actuallybelieve, that resonates with you
(08:06):
.
That is true, that is good,right, and think that and fill
yourself with that and then walkin and notice how you perceive
the coffee shop.
And she was like the thing isis everybody's mirroring back to
you what you're projecting out?
And that is kind of hard toswallow when you're in a bad
place.
And I just want to say, ifyou're out there and and the
(08:28):
positivity thing just feels likedebilitating to hear somebody
say, let me tell you my hack onthis, and then we will get to
the Valentine's, but this is soimportant, so, and I think.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Sometimes it can feel superficial.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
It can't well, and that's what happens to me.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
I think I can't think it's like's like.
Why would I do that?
Speaker 1 (08:52):
That's just, that's sometimes it feels too.
Yeah, sometimes you can, you'remaybe you're just a little bit
misaligned, and so you can reachfor like the verse or the quote
or the song, and it works.
And sometimes you're a littlelike the despair is a little too
much and you're like I can'tthink of anything positive,
right.
And so this is one of thetricks I used to do with the
girls when they were little andthey'd kind of be on an anxious
(09:12):
spin out, and I do it for myself.
I will say is there any waythat you could just crack the
door open, just open the windowa little bit, and is there a
possibility that things could goa little bit better than you
think?
And that's all you need is tobe able to just crack the door
(09:33):
open.
You don't have to fling it wideopen.
I mean, flinging it wide openis amazing when you develop that
skill and I do think you havethat skill.
I love that about you and Ithink you have it.
But a lot of times I just think,and I also know you've been in
places where you can't fling thedoor wide open right, right, we
all have right, but I but Ilove to say there was no
(09:55):
flinging anything open but Ijust want to say, instead of
like, like railroading yourselfwith something that feels
unrealistic, like, jot down afew things.
So maybe jot down the one youwish you could believe, like
everything is going to go my waytoday, and then you're like all
(10:16):
right, I can't get behind that.
I am not, you know, a Disneyprincess.
And so then you write down afew today's going to go better
than I think.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Like, that's what I ended up leaning on.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
years ago, when I was doing some self-development
work, I was just like, oh mygosh, why can't I think of
anything positive to say?
I was just in a rough place andso I just kept the word.
Possibility is what I put inevery sentence.
It is possible.
It's possible that I'm wrong.
It is possible that it's not asbad.
Right, it is possible thatthings could go way better than
(10:48):
I think.
And I am here to tell y'allthat every time that I have said
that to myself, enough to wheremy brain finally was like, yeah
, it is, it is possible thatthis is not going to be as awful
as I think.
Right, it is unbelievable how,all of a sudden, the help shows
up, or all of a sudden, I getlike that nudge, that intuitive
(11:10):
nudge that I know is like theHoly spirit going.
Yeah, I was here the whole time.
You just couldn't hear me overyour negative sound system.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
You got played here.
Is that person that is, youknow, going to make the
difference?
In your life, or here's thatidea.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Yes, having a little arsenal of and if, and if you
can find something that feelseven more moving to you, that
attaches to that, like you said,like a song or scripture or um
a poem or even just like apicture you know a lot of people
(11:45):
are really visual and it's niceto just have a little picture
that they can keep in their caror on their you know and put
post-it notes.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
I love to put little quotes or words of encouragement
on post-it notes for myself.
I have them on my desk atschool.
You know just just littlepersonal, even if it's just one
word that will remind you.
Yes, you have it right there.
I mean, it's just, it's soimportant to have those tools in
(12:15):
your tool belt when you don'tneed them.
Don't wait until you need them.
Very true, and that's what itkind of.
It's funny.
I had a conversation with oneof my students last week and
she's having a really, reallyhard time in math, and she's
having a really, really hardtime in math and so I'm giving
her strategies that will helpher on any test, and especially,
(12:40):
of course, you know we're inthe state of end of the year
test still and so she's going toand I'm like and I explained it
to her I'm like you have a toolbelt, you can't see it, but you
have a tool belt around yourwaist and I am giving you tools
to put in that tool belt now.
We're not waiting until thetest, we're not waiting until
(13:02):
you need them, we're puttingthem in there now.
And I think it's very similarto what you said.
You know, put those tools inyour tool belt when you don't
necessarily need them, sothey're available when you do.
And I love the idea aboutcracking the window open.
That is such a great tool tohave.
And when you do get in thatplace where you feel like you
(13:25):
can't breathe and that thingsare not going your way, open
that window just a little bit.
Open that window just a littlebit, and is there a possibility
that things are not as bad orwon't be as bad as what you
think so, yeah, and sometimes ittakes before you can even I
mean sometimes before you evenget your mind around words.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
It might be that you know that you need to get
outside, or that you need tocall a friend, or that you need
to.
You know, whatever it's like youmight need to like shake things
up a little bit for yourself tohelp you, because sometimes the
worst thing we can do is keepsitting still and letting the
ruminating thought take over andover and over, because that,
the anxious thoughts I mean.
Yeah, we definitely need to doan episode on this, because
(14:10):
anxious thoughts really spiderout and they truly sort of like
numb your whole brain.
So yeah, so, so yeah, I lovethat.
I love that you're doing thatstudy with Mike.
It was Stephanie and, um, I'mgonna keep hearing more about
that, but okay so, y'all, we'regonna talk about Valentine's.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Day.
Now.
What do you and Johnny do onValentine's Day?
Do y'all?
Speaker 1 (14:32):
have okay, but here's why.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Here's why y'all know my man is so sweet, it's been
so commercialized and I feellike a lot of people are now,
are like anti Valentine's day.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Well, listen we're the OGs of anti Valentine's day
because Johnny and I starteddating in college.
We were babies, we starteddating when we were sophomores
in college and so our very firstValentine's day we had been
dating almost a year and I hadjust come home from I had
(15:02):
studied abroad for a semester,so I'd been gone for like a
really long time.
I left in July and get hometill December.
I mean we literally wroteletters through air mail and
talked on the phone twice.
I mean really we would.
I feel like I'm you know, likewhen your grandparents used to
talk about like writing lettersto their loved ones that were in
the army and the war.
I feel like my girls think thatour story's like that and I'm
(15:24):
like no, it really was not thatextreme.
I was just studying abroad,nothing serious was happening,
but but it really we truly didhave a whole box of kind of
written on that airmail tissueand boy let one letter get out
of order and it was so confusing.
I'm like what?
Speaker 2 (15:41):
what are you talking?
Speaker 1 (15:42):
about what happened last letter shoot, and so,
anyway, it was fun it was cute,I know it was it was a great way
to develop communication soI've gotten home, it's
Valentine's day and so we putall this pressure on Valentine's
day because, you know, wewanted it to be fun and by the
time we got together we wereboth so stressed out trying to
(16:03):
make each other cause, you know,we're also in college and we're
broke as a joke.
So, you had to.
We're trying to be creative,right?
So I was trying to make somelittle crafty something for him
and then I did it and it justlooked dumb.
You know it was so cheesylooking and I was like I can't
give him this goofy.
I remember what I did.
I bought a flower pot and I gotlittle tongue depressor like
(16:24):
little popsicle sticks and I didlittle hearts and I was going
to do all this.
Well, you can like a firstgrader project.
So then I was like can I takethis to him?
This is so embarrassing and hehad done something for me in any
way.
When we got together, the bestpart of the whole thing was we
were like I I'm embarrassed togive you what I got you.
I'm embarrassed like I don't.
(16:45):
I'm not, I don't know.
We both were so and we hadnever been awkward before.
Right, and johnny goes okay,what is going on here?
We cannot let val, letValentine's Day be the thing
that like takes us down, likewe're too fun for this.
Yes, and so, anyway, we endedup deciding.
We literally shook hands.
We were like we're about to goget some chicken fingers and
(17:07):
fries.
We're going to go for a run, getchicken fingers and fries, and
we're going to shake hands thatas long as we're together, we
are never doing Valentine's dayagain, right?
And we and we stood on thatuntil about two or three years
ago when little Anna used youknow her magic way with words
and said hey, mom and dad, it'sreally kind of sad that we have
(17:29):
these parents that like don't doValentine's day and we need an
example of parents who show usthey love each other and do
think.
And we were like OMG.
So Johnny was like I take yougirls, you know like we do
something Valentini with thegirls and give them Valentine's.
But she was like, yeah, butwhat about y'all?
So for the past couple of yearswe'll do something around
(17:51):
valentine's day.
Ish, right, take the girls todinner and do something where
johnny takes all his valentine'sto dinner yeah, but we're just.
We have just moved away from itand I love it for people who
love it right I?
do too, I love it.
I think holidays are so fun,and if you're one of those
people and you just know how todo it and it and it's fun, right
?
Please like, be my friend andshare your story, because I love
(18:13):
it For Johnny and me, though,it just puts us in a place that
we don't need.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
I think it can give you like the false expectation.
You know, all the falseexpectations are out there and
it's like the hallmark, you know.
You think about OK, what is myhallmark?
Valentine's Day day?
Speaker 1 (18:32):
well, that's just not reality but now that we're
talking about, I do sort of wantone of those hearts with all
the chocolates.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
I know, I know.
Well, we should be eating that.
You know what?
Do you know?
What I do, though, is I alwaysthe bottom because I don't like,
like the orange yeah, oh, 100.
You gotta look nasty yeah so Ilove the caramel ones caramel
with sea salt.
Sign salt, sign me up, yes, butum, okay, so but do you have a
(18:57):
Valentine's story?
Speaker 1 (18:58):
I have a funny.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Valentine's story.
So this is after um my firsthusband and I were divorced.
I talk about like first husband, like I have five of them or
something I this is only herfirst of 11.
This is only my second marriage,my second and last Um, but
after my divorce it was um, youknow it was.
(19:21):
I was single for Valentine'sday and so, um, I went to, um, I
was at Lenox mall.
I was staying with my parentsin Atlanta and I was at Lenox
mall and I was like, you know,I'm going to, I'm going to go
see a movie, and I had not seena movie in years.
(19:42):
You know, I didn't really keepup with what was playing.
I really didn't know what wasgoing on.
So I was like, well, there'sthis movie.
I swear swear.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
I was about to say did you guys see 50 shades of
gray on valentine's by?
Speaker 2 (19:59):
myself on valentine's day.
That's hilarious.
I felt like the biggest loseraround.
It was hilarious.
I was on the end of an aisle,sitting next to it was packed.
I mean, it's valentine's day.
I was sitting next to a couple.
I was like this is, this is thelow, this is, this is, this is
(20:20):
the lowest of the low.
This is bad, you know.
And so it was.
That was I was.
It was funny.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
And I really didn't know.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
I mean, I knew it was like a couple leash.
I didn't know it was a coupleshow it was about.
This couple had a no idea thatit was like you know, little
risque, to say the least.
I was like okie dokie.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
Well, I'm going home.
You're like if that's what I'mmissing.
I'll just miss it, I think.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
I'm, yeah, I'm done, but yeah, so that was.
And then Mike and I met inMarch and yeah, but Mike and I,
we, I mean we don't have likeunrealistic expectations for
Valentine's day.
We get to each other cards andum, and we try to do something
Valentine's day ish, but if itdoesn't, we do it when we want
(21:20):
to, right, right, like we willnever go out to eat on
Valentine's day.
I mean that's ridiculous.
Everybody and their brother isout on Valentine's day, and you
know.
And then it's just, it seemslike it's more expensive and
it's just.
I don't know, I know.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
And then I'm not a really big flower person, I'm
not either I really don't,johnny won't give me flowers,
because I scared him so bad whenwe were dating.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Really.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Yeah, I was like, don't be just trying to say
every emotion with a bouquet offlowers.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
Just be a man and talk to me.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
Yes, and he was so he I mean even the girls were we.
We talked about it overChristmas.
We were at the beach and Anna'sboyfriend said something about
flowers and Johnny is don't askme, I've never given flowers and
he was like what?
Speaker 2 (22:06):
and I like random flowers.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
I want flowers sometimes, but he's scared.
He's like.
You know I'm getting for me.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
I like, I like flowers, but I don't like it to
be like over and over.
Oh, here's, you know,valentine's Day, here's
anniversary, here's this.
I like it to be like totallyrandom, right, right, right.
And that to me means so muchyeah, you know, yeah, so um.
But yeah, valentine's day, Imean it's fine and but usually
(22:33):
in February I don't want a bunchof chocolate or I mean I'm
still keeping it halfwaytogether.
You know, I don't want stillkeeping it halfway together you
know I don't want, I don't wantto totally ruin things this
early in the year, and so she'sgot goals y'all.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
I say this and I own a cookie dough company, I know,
you know, but um exactly highlyhighly encourage everyone to go
out there and get cookie dough.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Yeah, before this year I've put together like
valentine's day packages.
I just don't have time, I meanbut you know that.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
No, you just made me think like a fun idea.
If you don't want to go all theway out to dinner, though,
would be just go get a sweettreat together and preferably at
alumni, cookie that's right,that's what I'm gonna say, and
get yourself over to alumnicookie day, you know I never
thought about just like doingsomething fun like that it's
little yeah Instead of dinner ornothing.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
Right, right, I think , just be more flexible and
forgiving with each other.
And I think if Valentine's Dayis really important to you you
know, I think that goes back tocommunication.
I mean, you've got to knowwhat's important for your
significant other and if that issomething that's really
(23:49):
important to them, then make abig deal out of it.
You know, I think it's justimportant to be there for each
other, and I mean we can haveValentine's day any day of the
year and I, just what I lovemore than Valentine's day is
Galentine stuff.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
I just love the girl, I love the girl the year and I
just what I love more thanValentine's Day is Galentine
stuff.
I just love the girl, I lovethe girl's stuff and I've always
loved doing stuff for my kidsfor Valentine's.
That's just fun Cause it's cuteand fun and my mom used to
always give me like heartjewelry, but um so I love like
all of that and I love doingthings with girlfriends for
Valentine's.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Day, but for sure.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
I think that's really fun.
I um, so, I so my funnyvalentines are.
So when I was in high school um, I know everybody's school
didn't let them do this, but wewere small town you could send
people flowers and stuff toschool and then they would hold
them in the office for you.
But you know you would getcalled to the office to come see
them and then you knoweverybody that went through the
(24:43):
office would see your flowersand be like, oh my gosh, you're
so loved and popular, you gotflowers from somebody you know
it was like such a big deal.
And so my friends, um, and thenthey had, did your high school,
do the thing where, like someclub did a fundraiser and you
could buy the carnations.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Yes, yes, yes, and, like you, would just feel like
such a sad soul.
I cringed.
I cringed every year, cause Iwas like, oh my gosh, I know
that, you know, you had, youplay it out in your mind.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
Like.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
I know that so-and-so is going to get like 25 and I'm
probably going to get like oneor two or maybe even not any at
all.
You, just you know you youcompletely play out this mind
movie in your head that most ofthe time doesn't even work out
that way.
Speaker 1 (25:31):
Well, there was this one year that my girlfriends and
I decided we were not, we werenot having it that year, we were
not going to be the ones thatdidn't get them.
So we all send them to eachother.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
We even did the whole thing where we called the
florist and be the ones thatdidn't get them.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
So we all sent them to each other, like got all
these, like carnations.
We even did the whole thingwhere we called the florist and
sent each other other flowers.
Speaker 2 (25:49):
That is hilarious.
I did not think of that.
We were so over the top.
Oh my gosh, that would havesaved me a lot of stress.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Well, the funny thing was is so then, though, people
in the office because you knowpeople, because we have like
these people called office aidesand it'd be like two high
school Well then, the officeaides read your card, and so, of
course, my flowers.
They like love Allison, andthey're like, oh, you and
Allison don't really have aboyfriend.
Anyway, it was so funny, it wasjust so funny.
Oh, my Lordy.
(26:17):
It was so great, but yeah, we wewould always just try to
pretend we had Valentine's, so Ithink that also may be taming
it for me in later life.
But, yeah, so I think I wouldlove to hear what people do,
though, but I think thatValentine's Day can be kind of
hilarious.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
It can, and I think you just have to kind of, I mean
, if you still have kids at home.
I definitely love to do thingsaround Valentine's Day, and my
parents do.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
Valentine's.
They do cards, they do flowers,they do chocolates.
They think it's hilarious andthey love all the lovey-dovey
funny cards.
I mean they have a good timewith it.
They've always done it.
That's so funny.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
It would be weird if they didn't Do what works for
you, Absolutely.
And then you know don't have,but don't have too high
expectations and for goodnessgracious, do not go see a movie
by yourself.
And if you do, read the reviewsbefore you go, oh, see the
preview.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
See the preview.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Lordy, lordy lordy, see the preview.
Oh my gosh, I will never forgetthat night Ever.
That was the longest movie ever.
That was hysterical.
I would love to be a flaw onthe wall watching Ever.
Speaker 1 (27:23):
That was the longest movie ever.
That is hysterical.
I would love to be a flaw onthe wall watching you watch that
so funny.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
My eyes about bugged out of my head.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Oh my Lord, we will see you next time.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
Happy Valentine's Day .
Yes, happy Valentine's Day.
Bye, bye.
Thank you for joining us on theEmpty Nest Quest.
We hope today's episode broughtyou inspiration, insight and a
sense of community.
Remember, this is your time tothrive.
If you enjoyed the show, besure to subscribe, leave a
(27:54):
review and share it with friends.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
Stay connected with us on YouTube and Instagram at
Empty Nest Quest Podcast formore resources and updates.
Until next time, keep embracingthe journey and thriving on
your empty nest quest.
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