Because he just got his permit in February (we hadn’t been back to Texas in a long time!). He has to hold his permit for 6 months or until he turns 18, whichever comes first. 18 will come first.

@@SailingZatara our 3 kids got theirs at 18, no rush i guess for them. Our 19 yo is van life-ing headed outta TX for the summer, to CO.

Thank you for replying my wife and I have followed your channel quite a while the kids grew up fast

😢Yes, missed my kids terribly when they left...still miss them and their positive, buzzing energy! We called them our "boomerang babies" as each one of them returned home for a stint - until they got married. Now we enjoy visits (not enough) and two precious grandsons. 😊

My son didn’t get his license till he was 19. He was welcome to do so earlier but he just said, ‘Nah, my friends all like you and you enjoy all the stuff we enjoy.’ He turned out to be a really excellent driver, but never passed on the opportunity to let someone else do the driving. Kids!

I’m so sorry for your great loss Gunther. I too lost my beloved bride after thirty years of marriage when she was just forty nine years of age. Fortunately her family & us owned numerous boats living in the San Juan Islands & traveled extensively throughout the world. She only had one bucket list item to accomplish, since we thought she had plenty of time. Don’t put off the things you’ve always wanted to do because time on this earth is so short, but thankfully Heaven is forever and eternity!!!

@@thechaplain9906 thank you for your kind comments. I agree.

God Bless you. I am so sorry for your loss thank you for The words of wisdom life truly is a vapor. 💕

I am sorry for your loss, Gunther. I share your pain from a similar loss.

Hubby/I r RV’ers for 35 years now. This past year has shown us to hold plans with open hands. Hubby quadruple bypass and I broke ankle with debilitating after effects. So do follow dreams when u can. We will try our first trip since 1 year ago. God Bless all … 🇨🇦 ❤

Yes that's what I was thinking too great minds think alike😎

Wow thank u Martin!! Bless you! 🙏🏼

Thank you 🥹It’s getting better…. but Finn leaves in a few weeks… 😭😭

⁠Renee, you and the rest of us Mom’s that have and are going through this same adjustment are right there with you❤️ It is an adjustment that we know will come one day but it’s one also that takes time. It is a happy/sad, we know this is what we train them up to be able to go out and soar. I’m on my 6yr. Since my daughter left, she also did not just leave to another place around the block or the next town or city but resides in another country with a border to cross between us😳 it was like ripping off a bandaid😬. I’ve learned that even though I miss having her near, it has allowed us both to grow, and start the next journey of our relationship, as young adult and parent/friend/….which is and will be ongoing, as the new trails are paved. I’m not saying it’s easy for the parent, especially when you have a deep bond with your young adult(s) Just like your husband shared, “knowing that our young adults are safe and doing well, are continuing to grow into the person that they are to become, brings great JOY and HAPPINESS to our PARENTS HEART❤️ I have been to visit as she has been back for visits❤️ Another area I am very grateful to have is the current technology that we have today. To be able to get in touch as quickly as we are with pic’s, video calls, text notes, etc. it helps to make the distance not seem so far😃👍🏼 I also have a new family member, to now include a wonderful Son, so we are on even yet another journey. So many things to look forward to and experience ahead❤️ You and all the other Mom’s and Dad’s out there are definitely NOT alone in this. I feel this is one area in the past that has not really had much spoken about. We know that it will come, it seems so far out there, even though we are told and reminded, not to blink😳😬 We all go through it , at the various stages of life. We may not think so much about it, as when we are the young adult being the one to venture out however scary/unknown the adventure it is. Then as the parent being the one to experience your young adult(s) to leave the nest😮. Yes, there is excitement for them but the reality of what that really means, for the parent, at least in the beginning is a hard gulp to swallow. This is especially impactful when you have built a closeness with your young adult❤️ It’s hopefully and prayerfully that those building blocks nourished and cultivated will continue to develop and blossom into a wonderful adult/parent relationship, that will stand over time. I believe more and more parents that are going through this journey want to cultivate, even bring back the “family” bond that has been torn apart through the years/decades, for many reasons. Maybe I’m a bit sentimental in saying this but this is my heart for my family and for the members of my family who are yet to come🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼 Blessings from my family to yours and yours, may we continue this journey well for our children and their children and on to come🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼 ❤️Here’s to FAMILY❤️

I think the kids wanted to get away from parents and I think it was time.

@@bonnied3550 I think it was very thoughtful of you to share in such detail for Renee and Keith. Renee is putting on a brave face but I think both she and Keith are gutted by this. It's one thing to be living the mainstream lifestyle where you see your kids for a few hours a day while in school and as they get older, less and less but in the case of the Whitakers, it's a tight knit little sailing village where they are together all the time. This makes the separation so, so, so much harder. I really wonder how Finn will fair as I think is the most emotionally sensitive of the 4 kids(don't know about Keith's oldest daughter). He might come back sooner than we thing but at the same time, if he quickly meets a girl(careful Finn!), or travels to meet old friends, he should be ok. What I think will be even more interesting is how Finn will fare with no parental supervision. Jack seems very stable and already indicated he doesn't want to drink. Not sure about Kate but big brother Jack will keep an eye on her. Bless them all and happy trails!

I'm feeling the absence and I'm just a subscriber it's bittersweet to watch them leave. God Bless you.

I'm missing them also !

It’s been 5 years since my last one left, and I still can’t figure out how to grocery shop or cook for two 🙃

Emily will most likely return to college once her summer break is over

In days gone past, a good rain at departure was a blessing from the skies above. 🎉

You’ve done the first part for them. Think that was hard ? Now let ‘em fly

When their young and home they get on your nerves, when they grow up and leave home their on your ❤

Hope life is treating you well.

Yes!! I hated it at first, thought you all were saying Sweet A$$!?! And my kids started saying it too! But then I learned… and got used to it!! 🇳🇿

Bulll fucking shit