Happy WEDNESDAY, friends!
You guys, it’s the first day of school for three out of four Shull kiddos.
Agh, here we go! I can’t believe they’re already back to school.
Alrighty, I will have more to share on that later this week, but for now, it’s time for this month’s LET’S LOOK!
If you don’t know what LET’S LOOK is, once a month, Erika and I do a little link up where we “look” at different aspects of our lives (and then if you blog, you share and link up too!). We have been doing this little linky party for years now, and it’s always one of my favorite posts each month because most of the topics are YOUR suggestions!
Erika is taking today off (half of her kids start school today too!), and she’s going to re-join us in the fall.
Just as a reminder, here’s what we have “looked at” in 2026 (all your suggestions!)…
In January, we looked at THINGS WE OUTSOURCE WITHOUT REGRET.
In February, we looked at WAYS WE’VE TURNED INTO OUR PARENTS.
In March, we looked at FAVORITE FAMILY VACATIONS.
In April, we looked at the HARDEST THINGS WE’VE EVER DONE.
In May, we looked at MAKING COUPLE FRIENDS.
In June, we looked at WHAT I’M MAKING MORE TIME FOR.
In July, we looked at OUR SUMMER SELVES (HOW IT’S DIFFERENT)
And today, we’re looking at THINGS WE MISS.
As you know, I’m not super nostalgic or sentimental, buuuuut there are certainly some things I “miss”. I sat here and just jotted down the first random things that came to mind.
AND THEY ARE RANDOM.
I could have made this list quite long, but I stopped myself (you’re welcome).
I’m going to share a few THINGS I MISS and then please, please, please share yours too!
Here we go…
NOT BEING CONSTANTLY “PLUGGED IN”
Yes, yes, yes, there are so many benefits to having our phones. And computers. And iPads. And Ring Doorbells. And Facebook. And Instagram. And email. And sports apps. And news apps. And wouldn’t it be just so lovely for a bit to not have any of it? To just live life in the moment without ALL THE TECHNOLOGY. I think it’s okay to be both grateful for these things and yet miss a time when we didn’t have them.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
This is the first year (in 13 years!) that we won’t have a Shull kiddo in elementary school, and I already miss it. Elementary school is just sweet and wholesome and colorful and happy and creative and innocent and I just have never gotten the same warm fuzzies from a middle or high school. There are blessings of upper level schools (of course!), but there is a certain coziness and sweetness from walking into an elementary school.
REGULAR TV PROGRAMMING
Yes, yes, I love my streaming platforms and enjoy a good “binge”, but there was something magical about the whole world waiting three long months to see what happened after Ross said, “I Ross take you Rachel”. Am I right?! My kids do not get this. They don’t understand watching these shows once a week in real time and then waiting with such anticipation (with everyone else!) over the summer for the new season so you could finally see how the story unfolds. I miss TV like that!
Which leads me to…
ROM COMS
Where did the rom coms go? Back in the day, just about every week a new romantic comedy would be released in theaters. Now, they are so few and far between (and not really that good). I miss the Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers-type movies of the ’80s, 90’s and early 2000s.
TALKING TO ACTUAL HUMANS
I miss calling a company and speaking to an actual human being. A real, live, authentic HUMAN.
DRIVING AROUND WITH MY BIG KIDS
I loved all the time I got to drive around with my kids this summer. As wonderful and convenient as it is for my two older kiddos to drive themselves everywhere, I so miss being in the car with them. Let’s be real, Smith has left the house at 5:00 AM every day this week to get to football practice…and as I wave goodbye in my robe from the driveaway, I’m thrilled not to be making the one hour round trip drive…BUT I do love those car chats. I miss them.
STAYING UP LATE (AND NOT FEELING IT)
Before I started focusing on my sleep, I could get less sleep and not think about it the next day. I guess you could say that I was just used to being tired and/or just not tuned in enough to think about it. Now that I prioritize sleep, I just feel like a zombie if I don’t get my seven hours. I miss “ignorance is bliss” regarding my sleep.
WHEN THINGS WERE CENSORED
I miss “the good old days” when content was censored. My parents knew that what I was watching and/or listening to was appropriate. Now, they say and do things on TV/movies/the radio they would NEVER have been able to say/do thirty years ago. You can be watching the most “wholesome” show and all of a sudden something “unwholesome” is said/happens. Sigh.
PHYSICAL NEWSPAPERS
I know I could still get a physical newspaper if I wanted to…but it’s 2026 and therefore, I don’t. I miss the feel of a fresh, crisp paper in my hands.
OPRAH
I promise you, at least once a week, I think “man, I miss Oprah”. Bahahaha! I do, I do! I watched her show every afternoon for DECADES. I watched it in high school all the way through her retirement when I was a mom. I loved it. I loved the variety. I loved how authentic she was. I loved what an amazing interviewer she was. I loved every single episode and learned SO MUCH. I miss that show.
BOY BANDS
Yeah, they just don’t make ’em like they used to. Where are the NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees of 2026?
WHEN GOING PLACES AT NIGHT WAS FUN
Ten years ago, I could go to something at night and have so much fun and stay out late and the next day, I only had my memories. Now, if I’m not in my home at 8:00 PM, I’m not enjoying anything.
BEFORE I WAS COLD ALL THE TIME
Smith must say to me at least once a day “you’re getting old, you’re always cold”. Yes. Yes, I am, Smith. I am getting old, and I’m always cold. I skipped right over hot flashes (thank you surgical menopause) and went straight into being cold all.the.time.
FLAVORED COFFEE CREAMER
I’ve been drinking my coffee black now for three-ish years, and if I happen to drink one that isn’t, I just don’t enjoy it that much. So what do I miss? I miss how excited I would get for flavored creamers. I still occasionally buy one and have a little from time to time, but I just don’t love them like I did. I miss that genuine enthusiasm from a seasonal coffee creamer hitting the shelves at my store.
UNITS
Remember units from the late ’80s/early ’90s? We all just wore the biggest, baggiest, most elastic and comfortable coordinating clothes. It was glorious.
WHEN FLYING WAS SIMPLER
I do miss a time when flying was simpler. I mean, let’s be real, it was ROUGH there for a bit and is much simpler now than it was a few years ago…buuuuuut wasn’t it nice to fly way back when? It was so easy.
GREAT SITCOMS
We all re-watch The Office and Friends and Gilmore Girls and The King of Queens because they were greatness…and because there is nothing new on TV anymore that’s nearly as funny.
And finally…forever and ever and ever and ever…I will miss…
…having four little kiddos at home with me all day, every day…
…I absolutely enjoy having teens, and I know there will be so many blessings when I have kids who are adults…
…but I would start over from the beginning and do all of this all over again…
…on loop for the rest of my life…
…I don’t think it’s mutually exclusive. I can love where I am AND miss where we came from at the same time. And I do.
And those, are things I miss.
Next month…
…we are looking at FREE THINGS THAT BRING US JOY!
Awwww, I love that topic.
Okay, spill the beans, what do you miss? Please comment and share!
Don’t forget, if you blogged along with us today, please make sure you link up below.
Have the best Wednesday, friends! It’s our (first!) FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Robin says
I miss the kids being at home – we are empty nesters (and have been for a while), but I miss “noise”! I know that sounds crazy, but it is so quiet in my house. When my daughter was home, there was always singing, music playing, and friends coming and going! Now, it’s just me and my husband – don’t get me wrong, I also love being an empty nester, but the sound of kids laughing and playing is just music to my ears!
Mix and Match Mama says
This is such a sweet thing to miss.
Debbie Hibbert says
Oh boy, I love my phone, my Kindle, etc. … but there are so many things that just aren’t the same, and I miss them!
1. Being unplugged for sure! Now I feel lost if I don’t have my phone with me.
2. I agree with the newspaper. Our little town stopped our local newspaper quite a while ago. Our bigger (county) newspaper is down to two printings a week. I miss reading the news about everyone and everything in our little area. It feels impossible trying to figure out who won the local high school sports, and now no pictures from the games. I miss a HUGE Sunday paper and all the ads.
3. I’m sure I order as much on line as anyone, but I miss the fun of going to the bigger cities and going to the shopping malls.
4. Totally agree about TV and movies. It’s definitely not the same. I miss the anticipation and excitement of having to wait. I even miss the rushed trips to the bathroom during the commercials. It was always fun, during the summer, the catch an unseen episode that you missed during the regular season.
Lot’s of other things, but I’ll stop here. Great post, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wait, Debbie, I must talk about point #3 because I miss traditional shopping malls too! Here in North Texas, all but one, has really gone downhill. I understand that online shopping is the reason (and I’m a HUGE part of the problem as I love to online shop!), but there was something so fun about walking into a traditional shopping mall back in the day.
Stephanie says
I agree. I miss Oprah! But did you know that she has a podcast now on YouTube? When I watch it on YouTube, instead of listening to it while I’m out and about, it is reminiscent of watching the Oprah show! She was doing 1 podcast a week, but now she just started doing 2 a week. It’s not exactly the same as her show, but she will interview authors and talk about current events. Watching her podcast has been one of my favorite things of the whole year.
Mix and Match Mama says
I had no idea, but now, I’m so excited to check it out!! Thank you!
Ann Sundermeyer says
Hi! Long time reader, first time commenter. I had to write and tell you to listen to the Oprah podcast. I also LOVED the Oprah show and grew up watching it and the podcast is so good.
I love your blog so much thanks for putting it out there!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you for commenting! It’s so nice to hear from you! I am looking up her podcast right now! Thank YOU!
Caitlin says
Try voicemails for Isabelle on Netflix to help get your romcom fix! It reminds me of sleepless in Seattle/you’ve got mail/when harry met sally.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU!!!
Casey says
Sweet nostalgia! I recently made my teens choose their boy band. We watched all the BSB and NSYNC videos, listened to albums, and watched live interviews like TRL. Was so fun, and of course NSYNC won across the board!
Elspeth Mizner says
I loved this link up!! I miss not being connected all the time to technology, not having as many responsibilities and the child like amusement of life!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Beth Valenta says
Such good ones Shay! I miss good regular tv (Friends still every night before bed), I miss board games, I miss my daughter playing sports…I love adulting with her now, but I sure do miss being at all the games and the atomosphere, I miss some oldies but favs restaurants. All the quaint and traditional memories of sweet places I went with my parents are all gone, I miss old putt putt with the animals I was shooting through, not some professional golf course. I am off the day one for school counselors today! Don’t miss packing my lunch. LOL
Kelly Sites says
EVERY day at 4:00 Oprah would come on. It was my mom time, after a full day with my kids. They were able to watch Bob the Builder downstairs while I watched Oprah. I looked so so so forward to it. 🙂
I miss when people were nicer to each other. Now it seems everyone is in a hurry (me too) and mad about stuff, and we don’t see each other. People seem angry and dress in PJs and I miss a polite, classy society.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh I like this one. I miss that too. I miss myself not being in a hurry.
Laura Fuller says
Oh goodness. I miss so many of these. We got out of school at 3 and the bus dropped us off shortly before 4. We would RUN the 1/4 mile up our lane to watch The Oprah Show. And the censoring…man I miss that.
Lately, I cannot even talk about all the time I wish I could have back with my 4 little ones. They’re all grown up now with real life problems and my heart just about cannot take it. I’d go back to having them all home in my little controlled environment in a minute.
Allison says
Yes to a break from technology, 100%!! Yes, it’s convenient but we don’t need AI to tell us how to boil water lol! No tech is the #1 thing I miss. Also the censorship! My boys are a bit older now but I mean just a couple years ago I had a fourth grader happily watching a football game then BAM! Commercial comes on with two men holding hands on a dock talking about pills for STDs… I mean, come on!!
Anne says
So true! Nothing is safe anymore!
Paige E says
Oh Rom Coms!!! I miss them so much! I also miss the little kid season when going to the park was an adventure and building obstacle courses in the living room was my Friday night. But moving my oldest into his first apartment in another town next week is just so exciting! He is doing exactly what he has planned for 3 years and I couldn’t be prouder. And watching him deal with setting up Wifi and trash pick up – learning how to be an adult – is hilarious. He hates the AI bots! My youngest is starting his senior year in high school too, and I’m going to be there for every single thing. Unsubscribing to all those school emails is going to be crazy!
Pamela G says
Great list Shay…I miss all those things too. I also miss being able to sleep anywhere anytime and wake up refreshed. Now, it takes cooling sheets, 2 fans, multiple pillows, sound machine, and magnesium all in my own bed by 10:00…to still wake up feeling not as great ad I used to 🤣
Mix and Match Mama says
Bahahahaha! Yup!
Nicole says
I just love this and you listed so many good ones!!! ROM coms, sitcoms, not being plugged in. I miss the thrill of getting a good thick magazine. I would wait for Southern living for inspiration and to see the floor plans of the month. Now everything is Pinterest everywhere and doesn’t hold the same meaning. Wish books from when I was a kid. The huge JC Penny catalog. Phone numbers that I could remember because I manually punched them in multiple times a day (I may be in a bind as I do not know any of my kids cell numbers by heart) the idea that you can go somewhere fun and just exist in the moment instead of checking your phone or taking pictures for the over-sharer of the group that constantly posts everything. The genuine excitement when you used to get on Instagram before it became the modern version of the home shopping network. Just to name a few (and you can tell Smith that I’m old too and I’m slightly younger than you 😘
Mix and Match Mama says
I could NOT agree more!! I cannot wait to tell Smith 😉 .
Abby says
All of these just hit straight to the heart. This might just be one of my favorite posts of yours!
I miss when going to the movie theater. Give me a new release on or after a holiday, with a theater packed full any day.
I miss when cars weren’t so fancy. I mean, I love all my fancy features, don’t get me wrong. But give me my grandparents old Buick’s comfy seats any day.
I miss when people actually picked up the phone and called rather than text.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, yes, yes, and YES!
Beth says
Oh what a sweet list! I have loved most stages with all our kids (we are now empty nesters) but one that I do miss is our time in the early years when we were able to prioritize reading aloud/listening to an audio book together…either in the car or around the meal table. And! I too miss the waiting all summer to see how the finale cliffhanger works out!!!
Kristin says
I miss many of the things you mentioned. I also miss having only three TV networks plus PBS. There are too many darn channels, producing too much not great content. I would like fewer, better options. I’m so tired of my friends asking me if we’ve watched whatever TV show, and having to remind them of the ONE streaming service we have. I also miss the time when we didn’t have to know or worry 24/7 about what politicians were doing.
Krista says
I have 3 kids and I always called the period when all of them were potty trained and none of them were driving yet the “golden age,” I will always miss that sweet period of time ❤️
Jeanne Cobianchi says
ALL of these resonate with me!!!
A Goldie says
Like you, I have 4 kids. The thing I miss the most is their little hugs. They would squeeze as tight as they could. Those were the best hugs and the best of days!
Clarinda Z says
I can relate on all those things but the one that sticks out the most is when things were censored. We went to the movies and had my 13yr close her eyes on a movie preview or were watching a show that looks great but them something slips and we don’t watch it anymore. You really can have a great movie with no bad words. Thank you for sharing. Oh and I’m always cold too. 😂
Faith says
As we are nearing being true empty nesters next year, this is a loaded question! We are in a transition period where it is getting harder to vacation as a family. I know once everyone is out of college, into their career and not having to save PTO for honeymoons, etc it will be a little easier.
I love being able to google anything I need information on but miss the days when I also lived in ignorance bliss or had to look it up in the encyclopedia.
I love my kindle but miss going to the library and having them stamp the card in the book to show when I needed to return it by. I LOVED my childhood library.
And I so agree with you – where are the funny sitcoms and the rom coms!?
Mix and Match Mama says
Where are they?! I miss them! Thank YOU for sharing, Faith! xx
Emily Cappello says
I’m in the thick of it with little kids at home who are 5 and 3 along with a baby due in December and I’m already missing the days that I’m currently living. Is there a word for that?! Thanks for sharing your heart today!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t know if there is a word, but I feel it with you. If you’re already missing it, it means you are truly SAVORING it right now. You know what you have is special and you’re grateful. That’s a gift, Emily!!
Ali Patterson says
I love this post, and your whole blog. I read it nearly every day!
I just wanted to comment today about Oprah on your list – SAME. Actually my mom took me and a friend to see a live taping when I graduated high school in 1998, then in 2003 our local station that aired her show did a contest each day with a trivia question. They would ask the question during Oprah, then you could call in during the 5:00 news and try to win. My mom and I tried every single day until one day I GOT IN. I answered the question correctly and won a t-shirt. A couple of weeks later, I got a call from the station saying I won the grand prize. I didn’t even know there was a grand prize. I won 2 tickets to Oprah, spending money, a limo picked us up at the airport, 2 nights at the Omni Hotel…of course I took my mom with me.
When we got to the show, it looked totally different than when we had been 5 years before. We soon found out why – we were on a FAVORITE THINGS SHOW! It was the first time she had ever done it in the Spring instead of Christmas. We screamed our heads off. It was the MOST FUN! We even made it on her 20th anniversary DVD (or it could be 25th?) as part of that show!
Mix and Match Mama says
OH MY GOSH! I am going to fan girl over your Oprah-era all day long! THIS IS AMAZING!!! I would still be screaming! That is so so so so COOL!
Bren says
OH MY GOODNESS Ali! This is AMAZING! I cannot even imagine what the excitement of being at that episode felt like! So wonderful you got to experience this!
Margie says
This is absolutely amazing. I also watched Oprah every day since I was in middle school. And now, we can still enjoy her wisdom. She has 2 podcasts, one for her book club recommendations where she interviews the authors and the other is her interviewing really interesting people. And the focus is on living a healthy/ better life, how to be more united as a community, well being, menopause, safe technology…etc…it’s wonderful to still see her regularly. So check it out if you’re missing Oprah.
Anne says
Ali – there are a bunch of people here who are quite envious of you!!
Bren says
Oh how I enjoyed reading this post, nodding my head in agreement reading along. Bring back the rom-coms! Oh, Oprah! Two of my dearest friends and I used to record and then watch her Favorite Things episodes at the same time so we could call and discuss right away! SLEEP – what I would give to just sleep. AND to be able to stay up past 8:30 and be a functioning human. 🙂I could go on and on about so many things you shared.
But oh my…I can reminisce about something I miss from each stage our now adult children have gone through. I often say that I hope in heaven, there is a way we can revisit (or at least see vivid memories) of the times we miss. I want to rock each of my babies, visit with my toddlers, see my littles arriving home after school excited to tell me about their days. I could get all philosophical here and talk about how I wish I had spent more time in the moment, but I also know that is life. My list is long of times I would like to revisit though and for that, I am thankful!
Thanks so much for sharing, Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well everything in your comment made me smile. Thank YOU for sharing, Bren!
Kristen says
100 % I miss Oprah!!! I felt like I learned something new every week and stuff that still lives in my mind !!! If you’re getting kidnapped never let them take you to a second location and if you haven’t worn clothes in your closet for the past year get rid of it , you will never wear it! And man those celebrity interviews were the best!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
OH MY GOSH, YES!!!!! I still remember that episode so vividly! I have repeated this to my children more times than I could count!!!
SS says
Shay what a fun topic!!!
-I miss those tv cliff hangers that were sometimes months to find out, too.
– Going to the store to pick out a cassette or CD and when you couldn’t afford it maybe a single (my first single I bought was in a 45 record).
-Listening to Casey Kasem Sunday countdown every week.
– Picking up the phone to call a person that has passed on the other end. Ugh… I miss so many!
– AOL You’ve Got Mail.. I mean I don’t miss the speed, but what was better than those 3 words at the time?
-TPing…does nobody do this anymore? Oh and my friend would have bday scavenger hunts…when a gas attendant had to pump 5 cents of gas. 😆
-Drive in movie theaters and roller skating rinks! I remember going to the soda machine and getting a little of each (only to taste like Dr..Pepper).
– Having the kids all under the roof and all the little cuddles!!! ( I actually asked our olders are you coming over this weekend so we can all watch Camp Rock 3 together?)
– so many things I miss.. but I have been blessed by so many people, experiences and life.
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow, this list IS SO GOOD!!
Kathy says
Such a good post! I miss Oprah, too, in the afternoons. I also miss looking toward the back of a van and not seeing all my (6) kids sitting in their seats anymore. It is heartbreaking on the biggest level you can imagine.
I agree about the romcoms, A good Nancy Meyer movie has gotten me through on many a day!
And being home by 8… I get it! But you are so much younger than me☺️You must be a true homebody.
Have the best day!
Stephanie ann Harris says
Even though I’m quite a bit older than you, I miss all those things about school and driving.
I know as a blogger you can’t unplug from social media,but the best thing I did years and years ago was get off Facebook and all of its cronies. I really do not feel like I have missed anything and only freed up valuable time. I’m sure people get annoyed when they send me something they think valuable and I say “I can’t open it. I don’t have Facebook.”
And I fear as AI progresses we will rarely speak to humans regarding the chores of life.
And WHY is it that flying and airports are so frustrating?
Plus I cannot keep up with all the changes in plane seating, rules of luggage, and classes whewwww!
Sorry, I had so much to say 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
I loved everything you had to say! Thank YOU for sharing! People get annoyed when I can’t open the TikTok videos they send me 😉 .
Jaime says
Did you ever post an update to Madeleys Kidneys/endocrinologist? I remember you talked about it but can’t find if you ever found out what was going on?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s her liver, and I’m sure I did…but it’s been a long time. She’s doing great. We just monitor those enzymes 🙂 .
Marly says
I miss holding their little hands and the snuggles and hugs. I just wish I knew the last time those things happened was the last time so I could have held on a little longer………
Arika says
I miss landline phones. Back when if we wanted to talk to someone, we had to call their house, talk to their parents and ask to talk with our friend.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhh! This is another great one!
Lisa D says
I miss everything about having kids at home. Everything!
Ashley says
I agree with so many of these Shay, especially the talking to an actual human being on the phone! Goodness, everything has been taken over by AI or automated messages that seem to never describe what my issue is, haha.
Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week!
Paula Hobbs says
As a mom of four between 16 & 26, the teen/adult years are so neat and it’s so great to be able to have all of the more “adult” outings and conversations, etc. But I sure miss those squishy cheeks and all the sweet rocking, holding, loving on those babies. I’m trying to be very intentional with my sweet 16 year old boy the next few years. Babies just do not keep!! xoxo
Charlene Cunningham says
I feel you so much on all of these!!
P.s. im going to BSB at the Sphere next week (and Im old)
P.S.S. you will love being a grandparent
Stephanie says
What a great post!! I graduated from high school in 1984 and I miss how quiet life was before all the technology. Now it’s like our brains are never turned off. It was just a simpler time with really great music ! My kids are grown but I will always miss elementary days. Our elementary is close to our home and I walk by it daily. I always feel wistful and nostalgic as I walk by and see season art in the windows, see book fair signs and on holidays like Halloween and when they are doing the Christmas program. Those were definitely the best days!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I absolutely will be someone who walks past our nearby elementary school admiring the exact same things. xx
Susan Fitzpatrick says
Ditto!! 😂 Everything you wrote I agree with 100%!! Some of us remember waiting to find out who shot J.R.! 🤣 Before 9/11 I recall leaving Indianapolis after a business trip and there was no security. My coworker and I were late to the airport and literally ran onto the plane a minute before it pulled away from the gate! I miss the days when you could go to the terminals to watch planes take off. 😕
Linda Oesterle says
Aww, I am way older than you, Shay, and I STILL miss all these things, too. I love my life now, but what I wouldn’t give to go back for a day to when my children were little; I call them The Sesame Street Days. School doesn’t start here until September 7th, so I still have lots of summer left with my four grandsons! Hoping your kiddos all have a wonderful school year!
Lee Ann Vicary says
As if the mirror doesn’t tell me how much older I am than you – my first thought about cliffhangers was “Who shot JR?”. Ask your parents or google it. It was in the newspaper on the news other shows talked about it. The show was “Dallas” but it was the biggest cliffhanger ever.
Gail Young says
I miss the days when I could sleep through the night….now anyone in my age bracket seems to be awake at 3:30 AM! When we changed church’s after 30 years, I miss being plugged in to all the ‘things’ and the people. I miss Holidays when we were all together before kids got married and now we get them every other year…still sweet, but not the same. I miss going to cut down a Christmas tree as a family….an artificial tree is just NOT the same! I really, really miss all the teenagers hanging out in big groups at our house with all the laughter and noise and all the food they would eat!
Lizzie says
Love this topic! I grew up in a small town of 5000 people. It was like living in Mayberry. We had one movie theater–only open in the Fall/Winter time. In the Spring/Summer you’d go to the Drive-in. Friday/Saturday nights we would drag Main Street in our cars. As a kid we could stay out until the street lights came on. Great memories growing up, but I did envy those that lived in larger cities where they had Chickfala and dept. stores. When I moved to the DFW after college, I loved having all the opportunities and fun things to do in a big city. But when my kids came along and were in HS I really wish they had grown up in a small town. I do have a love/hate relationship with technology and having a car smarter than me. I still have a landline & a cell phone. I event still use AOL! LOL
I don’t miss recording TV shows on VHS. I am impatient about waiting to see all TV episodes within a week. I hate that we’ve lost respect for others. Just because you can say something, doesn’t mean you should. I miss malls. And, I do fondly remember Units at Valley Mall, Lol.
Kristy Moore says
Hi Shay-I don’t think I’ve ever related to a post more! This 80s child misses so much of this and more! I’m gong to put my teacher hat on here and give my input from what I’ve been seeing over the last 10ish years-kids who come in without the ‘popcorn brain’. So many of our students start their day looking at a screen so when they enter the classroom they already are on a buzz. I miss hearing about the breakfast table conversations, morning cartoon shows or even the conversation in the mini-van on the way to school. It makes me sad that families are constantly plugged in. Hopefully we’ll see a shift with all the research on the negative effects of this!
Have a great first day and WOW! Kensington’s final first day!!! 🙁 I hope you still had time to do the classic ‘first day in front of the Shull door’ picture!
Alexis Meacham says
Why am I tearing up and these aren’t even my kids?! With a 5th grader and VPK kiddo, I surely am living some of the sweetest days!
Kristin says
Units! There is a flash from the past! Those were brilliant! I am still getting the newspaper delivered every day. The paper is so thin these days, especially the Sunday edition, but my morning would not be the same without it. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Holly C says
Oh my goodness, I LOVED me some UNITS!!! That was the comfiest clothing and waiting for the new season for Friends was the best.
Brooke says
Awe, units. The “sets” of the 80s and 90s. I used to wear my mom’s waist band unit like a skirt to play dress up. 🙂
Gail Slagle says
I miss Oprah too!! I figured after all this time I was the only one. It was just SO good!!!
AliJ. says
I miss Oprah too! Such a great show and so informative. I always look forward to her annual list so at least I get that bit of her.
My 18 year old daughter just launched to college and I get it! While she was not home for high school, she just a boarding school experience, but I was still able to be involved at her high school since we were only an hour away. I so miss volunteering at her various schools, especially elementary and high school. While I miss her being little, I am excited to see what she does because she has big plans for herself!
Hang in there mama – it is all the feelings!
Emily P says
I have 3 under 3.5 and I remind myself of that last one on the hard days…that the last 3.5 years have already flown by and I’m going to miss this so much one day. Thank you for the sweet reminder.
Karen in VA says
I miss so many things….having someone meet me at my airport gate with flowers, going to the movie theater every week, driving a car that turns on with an actual KEY, not constantly worrying about eating lettuce or any other contaminated produce….and what about those commercials? Do I really need to see a ” manscape” razor that gets rid of hair around your privates? So many murder shows on Netflix. Getting all excited to come home to see if I had a message on my answering machine. A simpler time. Sigh
Amy says
UNITS!!! For the love can we bring back units. I love this post and agree 💯 on everything you said. Being unplugged and watching normal television are my second and third things I would pay anything to have back! Thank you for the post, have a great week!
Laura @ Our Grand Lives says
Wow! This post gave me all the feels! While I’m a longtime reader and more your mom’s contemporary, I’d have to say one thing my heart has ached for over the years is the look our children’s eyes had when they were little and they believed we (their mom and dad) could accomplish anything and that “they’d love us the most forever.” Of course, I’m so happy that they are now living fulfilling lives and that our oldest has her own children who feel that way about her and her husband. Definitely brings me full circle!
Kay says
I love this post so very much and resonated with everything on your list. I find it so upsetting that most people have their phones in front of them most of the day. I miss the days when you would walk down the street and people would be looking at their scenery and actually smile or make eye contact with others. I think it was good for us to really notice other people and now everyone just has their heads down and keeps to themselves. I miss when kids and teens could easily socialize instead of struggling to relate to others because they are more comfortable texting than talking. I miss when people could just look out the car window and shut off during a long ride. I miss the general acceptance of being bored…that not every single second of your life has to be doing/learning/watching others’ lives.
In terms of bringing up kids, I miss the days when they would hold your hand! Sounds simple, but that stage of life is so short.
Have you ever read Elizabeth Berg novels? Her latest, “Life, A Love Story” is a great way to remember life as it used to be. I think you would like her books!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, Kay! I don’t know that I’ve read any of her books. I’m looking her up right now. xx
Kelly Bonner says
I miss Oprah too! Not the same, but most nights before bed I catch up on Jenna & Sheinelle.
Christy says
I miss the days when Pinterest didn’t have soo many ads!! Simpler times 🤣
Susan Jeffries says
Gosh there are so many things I miss currently. My dad. Having a child in school and going to all of the school events and activities. Being able to watch our daughter dance every day. Our dogs Hoss and Gus. My step dad and cousin Doug. Having our family all together. Holidays where we all get together. My step family we lost when my step dad passed away. Not knowing everyones political beliefs and constantly hearing everyones opinion about them. So many things. But I will continue to focus on the blessings God has planned now and in the future for our family. I appreciate this post(:
Courtney says
AH! My husband and I were just talking about not being “plugged in” all the time – I told him that I miss the days where the internet was somewhere you WENT, not somewhere you LIVED. Everything is plugged in, instant, and 24/7! Remember the days of having to read the paper so that you could prepare your “current event” homework assignment? Clip the article and summarize. Ah, the good ol’ days LOL!
samantha brooks carroll says
Yes to newspapers! My husband reads his WSJ online but for some reason they still deliver us a weekly physical paper. I love to go out and get it, remove it from the bag and just sit on the couch and read the whole thing! And sitcoms….another one they just don’t make like they used to….Frasier! It’s always a family favorite, put on in the background, just makes you feel better show here.
Jacki Sorrells says
I love this post – been following your blog for over 10 years and find so much of what you focus on posting to resonate with what is going on in my own life so much. With a 14 and 12 year old, we are a few years behind the milestones you have already approached and I find it so encouraging to see what I have to look forward to when missing what was. Thank you! I am preparing for a driver in the house in the coming year (in NC they get their permit when turning 15 and can take drivers ed at 14.5!!), and already know I will miss being an Uber service. The conversation and just physical presence of being near each other and knowing he is safe is something I am grateful for every single time. I not only worry about them as new/inexperienced drivers, but those on the road around them. I know kids progress to this every single day, but with the fancier cars and the always being plugged in world already mentioned above, distraction is higher than ever. I’d love to hear what helped you adjust to this stage. Thank you for always sharing your experiences, for us moms who are trailing behind you a little, to learn from.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh wow, Jacki, thank YOU for being here with me each day. I am just so grateful that busy ladies like yourself take time to stop by. I am truly grateful for your kind words. I hope your kiddos have a great start to the school year. It all just goes by so so fast!