Our son left for college 3 years ago; our daughter 2 years ago. When our son left, I did cry a bit (ok, both my husband & I bawled hysterically) for a few days but then I had the realization that this is exactly what we had been raising them for - to be independent adults. I actually didn't cry when my daughter left because her teenage years were so challenging (to say the least) that, honestly, it was a relief. Anyway, they do grow up and mature each time I see them and the only way they can mature is to be out there in the world. My husband had to take a job where he would be gone weeks at a time after my daughter left. That gave me a double whammy of an empty nest as I went from a full house to a completely empty one. I work full time but then I added a book club, some exercise classes and I got involved with a community group where I met some really nice people. Lately, we have been reconnecting with old friends who also now have an empty nest. It is an adjustment, but if you've worked yourself out of a job, that means you did it right.
