In this deeply personal episode, I talk about launching my second bird into the world… my 18-year-old daughter, Marley. It was an emotional goodbye for the both of us that triggered all sorts of thoughts and feelings as a mom. Pride. Grief. Gratitude. And regret…for all the things I wish I’d done over the years before she left.
In this episode, I open up about the challenges I’m encountering as I learn to raise adult children as a single mom (yes, I said it), the silent ache of letting go, and the surprising ways I’m healing in the process. Hint…one of the ways may or may not be a HUGE surprise party for this daughter of mine who *said* she never wanted to be celebrated (but deep down that’s all she craved).
From co-parenting and sacrifice, to throwing that goodbye surprise party of a lifetime, I’m slowly learning to let my kids become who they are, and I’m sharing it all. This isn’t just a life update. It’s a love letter to motherhood, growth, and choosing to celebrate even through the heartbreak.
PS. UPDATE ON MATIX’S CHURCH MISSION INCLUDED!!
Watch the full episode on YouTube here or head to https://www.youtube.com/@RealHeidiPowell.
Here are the key moments from the episode:
0:07 A Life Update
2:00 Raising Adults Means Learning to Let Go
6:03 The Reality of Single Parenting
10:01 The Heavy Pressure of Being “Mom and Dad”
15:28 Marley’s Emotional Goodbye and the Thailand Trip
21:47 Why She’s “Projecting” and That’s Okay
24:14 The Empty House and What’s Next
25:24 How Matix Is Doing One Year Into His Two-Year Mission
31:05 The Farewell Party That Changed Everything
37:18 Regret, Guilt, and the Middle Child
46:02 What Marley Really Wanted All Along
50:17 Teaching Her Daughter to Speak Her Truth
Connect with Heidi:
Website: https://heidipowell.net/
Email: podcast@heidipowell.net
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