I never imagined starting over in my 50s, let alone doing it with three teenagers in tow. But life has a funny way of pushing us where we’re meant to be, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Moving across the country from the mountains of Lake Tahoe to a small town in Maryland wasn’t a decision I made lightly. It came from a place of love, necessity, and hope for a better life. But I won’t sugarcoat it – this kind of transition isn’t easy, especially not with teens.

The Emotions Are Real — For All of Us

Each one of my kids handled the news differently.

My daughter was the first to see the opportunity, a fresh start. But even with her excitement came the sadness of leaving behind everything she’s ever known.

My boys? They’re still processing. One is nervous about making new friends, and the other is just quiet about it all, but I see it in their eyes. The loss of routine, the fear of the unknown, the ache of goodbye… it lives in the spaces between their words. And I feel it, too.

Being the Constant in Their Storm

When you’re a single mom, especially one with full custody, you become the anchor, the compass, and sometimes the lifeboat. My job isn’t just to pack up a house or secure a job in a new state (which I don’t have as of yet) – – it’s to carry their emotions alongside mine.

Some days I’m up early making sure their new school forms are in, their IDs are processed, and other days, I’m sitting on the back porch with one of them, just listening, because they don’t always need answers. Sometimes, they just need me to be still with them in the storm.

The Push and Pull of Starting Over

There’s grief in starting over. Grief for the life we thought we were building. Grief for the relationship that didn’t work out. But there’s also grace. Grace in knowing I get to choose again. Grace in watching my kids grow stronger, even when they don’t realize they are.

Over the last 3 weeks, I’ve had to relearn how to cook at sea level, figure out new school systems, budget like never before, and tap into a kind of resilience I didn’t know I had. And through it all, I’ve reminded myself, we’re not broken… we’re just building something new.

Why I’m Still Grateful

Even with all the hard moments, I wouldn’t change this decision. This move is about creating stability, safety, and space to breathe. It’s about opening new doors for my kids, and yes – finally for myself too.

And maybe that’s what this new chapter is really about. New roads. New stories. New adventures.

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