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Real talk about love, marriage and the empty nest years, from a wife of thirty some years Meet Linda
Love Notes
A couple engaged in a heated argument in their kitchen, illustrating relationship conflict over unreasonable demands. RelationshipsIf Your Partner Demands These Things from You, I Think It’s Time You Walk Away A couple lies in bed turned away from each other, the woman's guarded expression hinting at underlying mistrust. RelationshipsIf a Woman Cannot Be Trusted, You’ll Know It When You Hear Her Say These 15 Phrases on Repeat An older couple shares a tender embrace, reflecting the timeless marriage habits couples from the '60s still swear by MarriageOld-Fashioned Marriage Habits from the ’60s Couples Swear By
An older couple holding hands on an evening walkAll Love Notes A woman at a bar glances back invitingly over her shoulder while a man nearby looks her way, hinting she wants him to approach.Dating An older parent sits with crossed arms while his adult child's family gathers around, illustrating tension that can arise from saying the wrong things to adult children.Family An older bride and groom hold hands around a wedding bouquet, reflecting lessons learned before marriage later in life.Marriage Close up of slow cooker pot roastFrom the Kitchen
welcome to the nest

Real Talk About Love, Marriage and Life After the Kids Leave Home

I'm Linda. When the last of our three kids moved out, Tom and I had to figure out how to be just us again. It turned out to be one of the most surprising seasons of our marriage, the good parts and the hard parts both. This is where I write about all of it, honestly. What keeps a long marriage warm, the small things that quietly pull couples apart, what men and women wish the other understood, and how to date your spouse again when the house finally gets quiet.

Linda at home
love, marriage and everything after

Newest Notes on Love

Honest lessons from over thirty years with Tom, and from the couples who made it to fifty.

All relationship posts
Love that lastswhat long marriages do differently
The empty nestbeing just us again
Understanding himwhat men rarely say out loud
Date night ideassweet plans that cost little

Marriage

Lessons from a long marriage: the small habits that keep love warm, the warning signs worth noticing and how couples find each other again after the busy years.

More on marriage

More From the Nest

Every love note
from my kitchen

Cooking for the Ones You Love

A few of the seasonal recipes I make the minute everyone comes home.

See the recipes