We have begun experiencing this to a degree. My stepdaughters have been gone for about 11 years. Our oldest daughter has been gone three years. This past year each of our two sons have been gone for 8 weeks at a time... I missed them far more than I thought I would - I think it's a good way to ease into empty nesting - for us! :) In four years when the youngest will be 18 we'll see how prepared I'll be - my husband is already not looking forward to it - says we'll run out of things to say to each other!!NOT!! That's exactly what I wondered about when we first started dating :) -