Empty Nesters as Newlyweds

This past Saturday night, Jim and I were enjoying a conversation with a man we met at our “Team” networking party. As an empowerment coach/marketing consultant, he is interested in interviewing couples who have long-term relationships and are still in love. We had fun sharing with him that being “empty nesters” feels like a new beginning! We feel like newlyweds in so many ways! He delighted in hearing our stories, as he is in the early stages of a love relationship.

On Sunday, Jim and I spent the day at the pool, enjoying the sunny weather and refreshingly cool water. Just as we did as newlyweds, we played in the water, carrying each other for rides, holding each other afloat, and talking on and on about subjects of interest (mainly our upcoming books, Whole Man Expo and book launch parties!). How reminiscent of our early days in Harrisburg, PA in 1970 when we began our journey as a couple! We loved going to our apartment complex pool after work and on the weekends to frolic like we did this Sunday!

Ruth and Jim in Maui for our 40th anniversary in 2010

The love we share now is even brighter, more engaging and much more satisfying than when we began in our early 20’s, unsure of how this marriage thing really works. My limited perspective only glimpsed the true promise of love, devotion, being cherished and respected, sharing life purpose, having wonderful companionship, bringing in children and growing on all dimensions. After all these years together, we have had many adventures, worked through many issues, overcome very difficult challenges, survived near break-ups, and raised three children successfully, all the while working together in our own businesses. At 22, I never could have imagined how great our life could be!

We are so happy to report this good news and give hope to others in the quest for a nourishing love life.

Having the house to ourselves now has opened up a new chapter in our lives. We love our kids, their special partners and our granddaughter and see them often. Our dog is still here, but no kiddos! Having our own pace, rhythm, focus and privacy has given us more energy and motivation to pursue the life of our dreams now as elders. Our careers , health/fitness, spiritual development and service to the community are of utmost importance.

We are each ready to launch our respective books—Jim’s men’s anthology Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Lives: Defining Moments and Be Your Best Self: Yoga Book for Families authored by myself, daughter Alyssa Sharon (21, a yoga teacher in LA) and granddaughter Hannah Green (age 6, here in Denver).

The creative juices are flowing and love abounds! We are blessed.

-Ruth Sharon