It's a real struggle when your kids don't need you anymore. When the last leaves home it's almost like grieving because a mom is completely lost without her babies.

Donna be proud that your kids don’t need you anymore, that means you and your husband have done a great job. So many parents have raised their children and are now raising their grandchildren because their children are so whatever and irresponsible. You and your husband live life and be proud. ❤️

I cried 90 days straight when my son left… yet when we to his basic training graduation… just to see the change in him. But when he saw me the call “Mamaaaa” I knew he could stand on his own. Now I may hear from him twice a week. I’m ok…❤❤❤

My father was a pastor from 1979 to 2020 (he passed away in 2020) but when I left for college, my mother and father experienced what you are going through now. They took more vacations together and relearned each other individually. I knew if I needed them, I could call. Your children know the same as well. You can be away on a Sunday and leave the church to an associate minister at your church and things will work out, but you have to let it go. This could be an exciting time in your life, but you have to let the control go. My mother did more with friends, and this included church members as well. My father started fishing and that was his go-to. Of course, we still had family time, and church member time but they developed more interests in their life.

I love when hubby said you spend so much time in life serving, you don’t know how to be served. Wow that just woke me up. Thank you

Please just ride the storm out. You have to go through it. You can't go around it. Cry when you want to, stay in bed all day if you need to, get in the car , take a drive and scream if you want. Cry out to God. You will calm down and settle into your new situation. I know your pain. All our children live in different states, but my husband and I have come to enjoy it. We were a blended family too and we started out with kids, so we never had that "couple" time. Now we do and it's glorious. God bless you in this journey.❤

Been married 49 years. I as a mother of four, two boys two girls, I had the most difficult time letting go. But the last couple years my children are taking care of their children and their responsibilities. They don’t call for help any more. Donna I feel your feeling so strongly. It’s hard. You let your feelings be felt. It will take time. I’m crying with you. My children are my world. I also have 17 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Do what works for you. I love your personalities. God is good.

You're feeling just like I felt. My only child is 34 and he had to tell me to allow him to show me that he learned everything I taught him. I'm so proud of him. You did your part. It's God's time now!❤😊

Ms. Donna, please don't feel guilty, enjoy this time now, and be blessed.💕🙏🏿

Tomorrow is not promised. God will be wherever you go. Amen

Hi pastor's wife from another pastors wife we are never losing, but always gaining. It's a blessing to make it to this level of abundant life that Jesus comes to give us. From faith to faith and Glory to Glory 🙏 It's called growth 😊 So enjoy the ride!!! It only gets better on your way up just stay on the path of righteous and y'all will be fine!!! God bless watching from Georgia 😊

Oooh Miss Donna it’s gonna be good getting to love each other all over again. It’s such a special time and feeling. Moving forward once you two retire from working “for the man”, life with your soulmate is out of this world. My dude #1 and I are moving towards 34years and our “golden years “ were truly worth waiting for (keep in mind they gonna still need a few dollars err now and then).

All I had to read was the title. This is what my husband and I are going through right now. Married 28 years and raised 4 kids. Empty nesters. The last 28 years have been happy and we love our children and each other, just feel like we are in a “rut”. I’m 2 minutes in of the video so I’m going to stop here and listen to Mr. Dude #1 intro. Thank you for sharing.

As a care giver of a parent I'm going through something similar, my mother transitioned mid 2023 I'm trying to plan vacations with my siblings to remember the beautiful times our family had with our mother she was the glue and the social butterfly of the family we miss her dearly but we will cherish her memories forever.

It is so hard as a mom to let go and fall back.

Sometimes families in ministries always put themselves last. Our pastor just came back from a month long break from the church. We have elders & deacons, other lay persons that can fill in. Schedule guest speakers some Sundays. Put your times together on the calendar & nurture each other. You all are young and have so much time to grow as a couple and develop more as individuals. Well done as parents if you have well adjusted children . Donna you may need to talk to other women peers. Also sons grow and move differently especially when they have spouses or partners.

This video discussion was so well needed for us…it’s been a struggle lately and this video has given so much insight! Thank you both for the transparency!

I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!! YOU BOTH SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER. I LOST MY HUSBAND, MY VERY BEST FRIEND DUE TO CANCER, HE STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL 3 months and finally my daughter and i had to make the decision to take him off life support, i dont wish that on anyone to actually see someone you love so much slowly take their last breath. This march will be 4 years he's been gone home to be the Lord. HOLIDAYS, BIRTHDAYS ARE THE WORST, THANK GOODNESS FOR MY CHILDREN. I'M SO GREATFUL I FOUND YOUR CHANNEL. Y'ALL ARE WONDERFUL, PRECIOUS PEOPLE. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, STAY SAFE AND WELL ❤❤🩵🩵🩷🩷💛💛🫶🫶

Thanks for Real Talk, we all needed to hear this conversation that we all struggle with everyday, Thanks again.

Be proud of what you have accomplished with your now grown children. My son & i used to go to the mall every Monday before he started school. Once he started school I would go to the school to have lunch with him. One day when he was only 8, i took him his lunch & he asked me if i could stop coming inside to eat with him. Let me tell you, i was crushed. At that moment i had to accept the fact that my son was growing up & although he still needed me, the need was starting to change. As a mother who still has a very close relationship, with my now 30 year old son, I'm here to tell you that your children will always need you; the need is now different. Now it's time for you to rekindle that very special relationship, that is so obvious that you & Robert have. The love that you share with each other is rare, make sure that you continue to nuture it because now you have time. My son now is off on Thursday & Friday & visits me at least one of his off days weekly. Be proud of how you have raised them, they will come around more than you think. Blessings to you both.

Real talk. I fully and truly understand where you both are coming from. Let me just tell you both I have a solution that is 100% going to help you both. ADOPT ME!!! I will not leave home, I will always be around for you to take care of. I have also been in a pastoral life situation and know those boundaries and I'm potty trained haha. Seriously though,your on the right track talking about it and sharing your struggles. Your in my prayers. Ms Donna your babies will ALWAYS ALWAYS need you

I feel exactly what your going through my son just moved to Taiwan in September he’s never been away from me since birth and my daughters live in another state it’s very hard and I’m alone but thankfully I have my church 🙏

🗣️EVERY TIME you all mention being together your husband’s smile goes a mile wide. He truly adores you; it’s obvious. ❤🙏🏽

I'm glad you guys can sit down and make a plan...not too many can ....God continue to bless you and all your wonderful adventures 💕💕🙏🙏

Donna, you and your husband are so blessed. The both of you have raised great children, now they're grown, and going on with their lives. Think about this "So how did your parents feel when you got grown and moved on with your life"? It's nothing better than you and your husband living a beautiful life together now. You've done your job.. Your children still love you. So live your life and enjoy every single moment

Life transitions are harder than trying to pay bills with food stamps. Lol 😂. I love y'all so much! The deepness and your truth is just beautiful. Thank you for it.

Donna, a mothers guilt is exactly what I am going through right now. I have been feeling the same way. Cried my heart out for the past 3 days. I do not know how to let go and stop existing. You raise them and want them to step out in the world and I’m trying to figure out what life is like not being a 24/7 mom. Hopefully it gets better. Thank you both for this video, I needed this today!

Amen Sir. I think when you raise your child. We have one son and when we became an empty nestor I evolved everything for my son and he went to college, work and now he has children and you do lose yourself. Great conversation and what I see now is that now I know how my Mother felt. I think we as women go through this but not men. ❤❤❤

I love your story! Pastor and Only Lady Donna, My husband and I have been married for 42 years, and our 3 adult children are now parents and I love love being a grandma. Just wanted to let you know you both have been "intentional" every time you make a cake and Dude#1 comes in and gets the first slice - you were intentional when you made that cake. My husband and I live a comfortable life and when my kids come over and hangout with the parental unit, it is such a blessing and it's intentional when I cook, because seeing them eat and have a good time with each other what a blessing. Since we are both retired I have for the last year volunteering at my grandson's school, what a blessing that has been for me/us I get 4 hours just for myself and he gets 4 hours for himself. God has been good to all of us and yes I have to be more "intentional" with doing/going places with him - like he loves classic car shows. LOL 😆 So thanks to both of you for sharing. Much love from Northern California ♥️🤗

Ms. Donna, you’re a jewel! It’s ok to think of yourself and Dude #1 because you will never stop being a loving MOM!!!❤️⭐️ Thank you for sharing with your KZfaq family about the home away from home. I’m excited and appreciate y’all taking us along for the journey.🩷

This a good subject today cause I devoted my life to my parents and grandparents and sister now parents and grandparents are in heaven and my sister is grown now what is my purpose now with all this free time I have

I understand about you feeling guilty about being the empty nesters . I lost my husband back in 2005, my children were grown and just had 2 grand children. So I got the chances of being a mother for the second round in life. Now there's 4 grand children, which are now grown. I have retired, and got lots of time on my hands. So I am learning to be intentional with doing things by and for myself. God Bless you for this video.

You have to have a vision of what your future looks like as empty nesters and write it down. Look at all the possibilities ahead of you. It's good. Your future is filled with hope. Praise Adonai!

We love you all ❤ Don’t feel guilty Donna you all have done an amazing job raising your children and now the Lord is blessing you to see the fruit of your labor. It's a blessing. Please receive your reward and tell the Lord thank you. It's natural to feel sad because it feels like you're losing but your family is winning!!! You all are winning at life!!!🎉

Yes life is quick, I’m 78 and I’m in the process of moving and selling my home and making life easier for me and live intentionally. My daughter want me to move to Dallas with her but I want to live alone ❤good advice as always😊love y’all much!!!

As The Scripture tells us: “Older women teach the younger ladies!” Teach us sis!!!!👍🏽Thank you and your husband for the transparency, it is truly one way of how we overcome👍🏽🙏🏽🎚️🙌🏽💝

Pastor and Lady Minor you guys are always a wealth of knowledge. I truly appreciate you guys sharing with us all. Thank you for letting us be apart of your family.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Love you ❤❤❤❤

This was well needed. This is a reality that us parents are or will be facing. We all have to keep the fire burning in our relationship.

Dude #1 is brilliant. WOW. Such wisdom. He realizes that just like the Eagle, we must let/make our children fly or we will cripple them. Selfish is not letting them fly. My husband and I pastored for almost 40 years until he passed. Yes. Ministry and marriage are a balance, but the love for God and his people filled us with joy. You will work this out with prayer.

Miss Donna I understand you. It took me the longest to let my baby boy go. Mom’s will hold on as long as we can. We are in the same place as you two. I hear you all and see us in you all. All kids are grown and out the house. We being in Ministry for 34 years. We still are busy. Sometimes passing each other in our going. Now grand kids in the picture. And they love us and want to always be around us. Sometimes our time is just still divided up. As I listen to Miss Donna I get her feelings about not doing things for self. This conversation is one we have had and still have.

Logo for KZfaq KZfaq Hang in there Ms. Donna! I struggled with the same feelings. While I have only one child, he is now 27 and “grown” enough to take care of himself. Take faith in knowing you’ve done a great job and they will be ok. I now look at it from the perspective as an empty nester that yes, he will always need me, but his needs have changed so the ways I am there for him changed as well. My support was more so physical and financial while he was growing up. Now, it is more spiritual, emotional, and mental support that he needs as he continues to grow into his own. Remember, they always need mom and dad so they will come home, or call, or always reach out for you in some way, shape, or form! Stay blessed not stressed! 😄🙏

It’s almost like you don’t know who you are once the kids are grown & out the house. It’s such a different space. Glad you guys are being intentional. ❤

Hi Donna and Dude #1. It’s a blessing that you know your priorities. It takes both of you working together to make your marriage work. Marriage is challenging and being empty nesters is a transition. As a mother, my greatest joy is seeing my children grow as responsible adults ❤ Take heart. You both are doing a great job!

Ms . Donna I felt your tears about the kids. My kids are here in Buffalo married and I have grandchildren, and it’s so hard to not call them everyday because they’re grown, and need to live their lives. But I to always serve and don’t know how to be served .. it feels weird and uncomfortable to me. God Bless you and Pastor.

I love you guys❤❤❤!!! I truly bless God for you and your family and I totally appreciate your words of wisdom. I will keep you in my prayers.

I really appreciate your transparency! Keep it intentional! Will keep you in our prayers!

I Love everything about this discussion! May you guys continue to be blessed. Thanks for the insight ❤🙏🏽

Y’all are Blessed and may God continue to Bless you both. ❤❤

i love this couple so much they are so blessed to have found each other,i hope they can find that spark again

Congratulations🎉,so happy for yall,a blessing yes!!!,thanks for sharing,❤❤

You’ve done your part . It’s your time to live!!!!!! ❤❤❤Love y’all

Oh Ms Donna, I sooo feel your heart! I’m 71, both my son and daughter are married have their own families and still I have times I will hold a picture or a memory and let the same feelings you are dealing with wash over and through me with a bucket of tears but then there are times I’m strong and I thank God that my children are serving God and doing His will and I don’t have to worry about and know God is taking care of them better than I could! And I still get those “need you Mom calls”! It will take time but you will get through it and your babies will never forget you and not ever need you!!! Y’all are in my prayers!! My Daddy and Mother pastored until he was 90, mother 88, they both passed a week apart in 2020! Mother and Daddy would take at least a week or two away from their church, because unless you’ve been in a pastor’s home or shoes you never know what a load pastors deal with!! Love you two and know y’all will enjoy this time in your lives!!!

Wow....I've listened to this entire video and just realized that I'm in your shoes without the spouse. Ive been divorced for 26 years and have dedicated my life to my kids and grands. My kids tell me all the time..." its time to do you " Thanks for this

I'm so excited for the both of you as you embark on this new chapter. Now is the time to treasure the life you've built. You've given yourselves for your family and community, and now it's time to reap what you've sown and celebrate! It's ok to spoil yourself. It's ok to rest! May you grow in love for yourselves and each other, and may you find fulfillment greater than you could ever expect.🙏🏽 Thank you for sharing your journey.

Oh Miss Donna bless you and all you bring to this channel. Thank you for sharing your story, and thank you for all of the advise.

My husband and I are a mixed family as well. This is both of our second marriage as well. We have been married 31 years and soon to be 32 this year! We dated 2 years prior to marriage! We have been empty nesters for about 12 years or so! Our youngest son finished his term in the military and returned home while attending college, graduated with his BS degree, and moved out to another state! Our other children had already moved out! We are now caregivers for my mom! So you are so right. Life keeps lifing, but we love and peddle through it! When one of the children calls for money, we get so excited!😅😅😅 But now there have not been many calls like that, but we know they are growing stronger! We watch movies, KZfaq, just being together! Just living life!

It's ok Donna. You're gonna be good.I see greatness in motherhood for you. That's wonderful! Great job you got this❤

Love this video, this transition is real, Donna you have such a loving heart, it’s ok, and they will reach out to you. Believe me, life issues will cause them to call sometimes, and we have to learn to listen, not to advise, but listen and encourage, and praying with them helping them to get through. We will always be the parent, but the role changes. Well done, it’s going to be ok, it’s your time, it’s your reward, enjoy it

❤❤❤ love the realness and emotion. Thank you and thank God.

Wow! I can understand I felt the same way. It's so hard when you're use to being an active mother. They still love and need us but in a different way. ❤❤❤❤

You all are so blessed. It's so good to have someone you love to grow old with & discuss life with. ❤

This was a beautiful and transparent video! Love the direction you guys are heading with being more intentional with each other and yourselves. Both of you are deserving to pour into yourselves after pouring into other over the years♥️🙏🏾🫶🏾

Ms. Donna, you're not alone. You guys have done a fantastic job with your family. I can't wait to go on the journey with you guys, and perhaps there will be some things that could help me or others with. May God continue to Bless you and your family. Much Love to you. 😊

I cried 😢like a baby watching this ! I can relate having 3 adult children. It’s definitely an adjustment. My husband and I have decided to date and spend time with each other weekly! This was really good

Totally understand this....❤ Keeping you all in prayer. God's got you and the plan. Thank you for not only sharing with but trusting us as well. Time to get reacquainted with yourselves and each other. Recess spaces will fill and be joy....

Loved your video! We, too, are a blended family. This year, we will have been married 20 years. From day one, we’ve always had date night every Friday. Gives us time to communicate with each other and be intentional. Again, great video and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for you two!

You guys are truly blessed enjoy this new season of life 😊🙏🏾

Bless y’all for addressing an issue that so many couples struggle with. I appreciate the openness and honesty that this video allowed your viewers to see. Love love love y’all ❤

Let them go knowing that you've instilled morals and values into your children. Let them grow and make their own mistakes because life will happen. Now it's time to rediscover you as a couple and enjoy the next phase in your life. The marriage will be stronger, the ministry will be stronger and learn how to say NO. Set boundaries!!! God have so much more for you to do outside of the four walls of a church building. Enjoy Life and Each Other while you have a chance. God Bless You Both!!!🙏♥😊

This is a wonderful video. Thank you! My husband and I have been married 43 years, we have 3 adult sons and 2 grandchildren.Thanks for the pointers on being intentional and getting our spark back. Donna, I share your emotions. May God continue to bless your marriage. Donna it's okay to embrace the next chapter of your life. Don't just survive...you both need to thrive in every area of your life!!

Donna, thank you for sharing your life with us. I see already by the comments that I'm not the only person who needed to see this. You did an awesome job with them. Just love on each other. Sometimes, you do need to just up and go! Theirs no shame in what we call "getting your life" ! I have 4, and I totally get it. I don't even cook anymore, lol. In time, you really will be happy with having "me" time!

Love you guys ❤❤❤.Thank you for your words of wisdom Pastor Minor and Lady Donna. God Bless

It’s a blessing when they are independent. Empty Nesters…. Love it!

I look forward to see what you two do next. Congratulations on the new chapter in your lives. ❤❤

I appreciate you guys being transparent about your life. The one thing that will keep you going & feeling good about life is your praises to God in how he has carried you and the family throughout the years and you still walking, talking and being a positive influence on people. God knows your hearts. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Much love and appreciation to you and yours. Ms. Harriett from the Motor City. Peace, Love, Bountiful Blessings and God’s Continued Love in 2024…

Thank you for this conversation! Being intentional is important in every aspect of life.

Thank you all for this, it made me think back, my husband and I had the same conversation. Trust that you raised your kids and you both put all into them that they needed to survive. Trust God and take care of you, and thank God for a husband that see you need time for yourself. When you take care of yourself, you can better take care of your family. My husband and I have been married 46 years and watching this gives me the desire to be intentional before it’s too late. God Bless you both. Prayers for your family.

BLESSINGS YOU GUYS, MUCH HUGS, TO YOU BOTH, PATRINA, FACTS BROTHER, PREACH TRUE ❤❤

You guys are just phenomenal…. Both y’all I love your honesty. I love your transparency. It’s so needed.

Donna I totally understand that has mother’s have sacrificed a lot for our kids. It’s overwhelming to enter the empty nester faze of life. A year ago I lost my husband, we were anticipating a life together with the kids gone.Even though we didn’t get to experience it, it has truly a challenge for me. I’ve been practicing self care, spending time with my family which has helped. I pray that you and dude#1 will enjoy this new journey of lifeing!

A new beginning! I’m happy for y’all as you enter this new phase of life!

Hey ya’ll .Love this and thanks for sharing.. as a single senior Mom with no grans and transitioning from work into semi retirement… this blessed me and encouraged me to move forward and continue to walk with God as I make decisions for my future ❤

I truly appreciate your transparency. I understand how you feel Ms.Donna. Enjoy this new journey, because they will always keep you as a part of their life. My children help me to get pass that feeling, and I never realized that until now. In spite of being a empty nest, you still are mom to them and they'll need you in a different way. I pray that God in His divine order will give you peace. Take your time and work through your feelings whatever way works best for you. Blessings

I am so glad for y'all and that's an awesome idea to have a home away from home. Love Y'ALL

Thank you, Lady Donna and Pastor Robert, for real talk. You allowed us to feel the inner core and help us who are going through in our marriage, to take some points and be intentional. God bless you is my prayer.

You two are such a beautiful couple. I pray yaw stay solid because I love the way you two make marriage look so easy. Thank you for sharing. I love your family and your channel. Thank you❤

Man thanks for your transparency I need this so much😊

I commend you guys for addressing this content. It takes COURAGE to be TRANSPARENT about your own marraige and family dymamic. Thank you for sharing and God bless your journeys of life❤

I hear you Donna, I’ve been there. It’s hard but it’s your time..enjoy your life and each other🙏🏾❤️

Donna you have been and are a great mother, now it's time to do you. Praying for God to give you the strength to do you and not feel guilty. Thanks for being transparent

Hi Donna. What you’re feeling is normal. It gets better. I went through the same thing. It is hard. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are being intentional. You’re doing what God intended for you to do. You don’t have to be on long trips to be intentional. You guys go on field trips. I enjoy those kind of trips with my husband. No hustle and bustle. Just us. My pastor takes the whole month of August away to spend time with his wife.

Found your channel yesterday and fell in love with it. Watched your marriage video with my husband last night and realized how my marriage is hurting. I think you are a beautiful couple and can very much relate to children leaving the nest. As a mom of six, it is never easy to let them go and grow. Although we did not get to finish the video because we ended up arguing about the roles of husband and wife, I appreciate your godly wisdom and faithfulness towards one another. I hope you do more videos like this ❤

Donna so excited for you and Dude #2. You deserve this!

Your wisdom and testimony about life experiences is what so many people have and are going through. When you have always included your children in your decisions and they no longer need your guidance or depend on you, it can make you feel lonely.😩 I think you’re a beautiful couple. God bless ✝️🙏🏽❤️

Hi Donna and Dude#1, I’ve enjoyed your talk! My oldest son is a pastor and we so proud of the man he has become as well as an awesome husband and dad! Having Christ in your marriage is very important! Have a blessed day!

Both my husband and I watched this video and it was actually his idea for me to send you this comment. He wanted me to tell you that it is not that your kids will no longer need you - they will always need you and they will certainly always love you and never forget. It's just that now, as adults, they will need you in a different way. When they were children, they needed you more to attend to their tangible/physical needs, but now as adults, that will shift and they will need you now more than ever to attend to their spiritual and emotional needs. Same level of need, just different. :-) I myself have never bore children, but my husband has raised two children and taken care of a grand daughter, so he is definitely the expert. BUT as a daughter of a wonderful Mother (now deceased) I always needed my Mom, and it was always wonderful to know that she was always there for me when I needed her. Thank you for your transparency and for sharing your journey, because of you and your Dude #1's testimony, me and my one and only Dude are going to be more intentional in our marriage!

Donna , you're a blessing. Being a mom isn't easy .❤😇

Mrs Donna , you are a great mom and will continue to be . As time pass and you and dude #1 grow even closer will be the next season you walk into . Yall enjoy this next journey. Been married 37 and 1/2 years , been with an empty Nester for awhile and loving our time together. But still enjoying being a mom to adult children. By the way it’s not control it’s love period…

Gradual process... Combination of grief due to feeling loss / left out verses living with purpose...day by day! You are worth " SELF LOVE " AMEN

I can not wait to see your new journey. Exciting❤