I was lucky in that my ex was very generous so financially I was going to be in a good place. We had been leading pretty separate lives and I was always busy so that didn’t change. My kids were pretty upset but they knew neither of us was happy so it wasn’t a big surprise and neither of us played the blame game and trashed the other ex. The only real change was that I hadn’t dated in over 25 years and getting out there scared the daylights out of me so I was very slow to get started. Over the past five years I’ve had a few very nice relationships but I’m not interested in getting remarried. If lightening strikes who knows? My ex and I have a decent relationship and our children are doing fine so it’s worked out ok. But, regardless, I am disappointed that our marriage didn’t succeed.

Is a question THIS broad really necessary?

How did your life change after an empty nest divorce?