The Mid Life Dating Files 2025

What were your parents doing at your age?

What Were My Parents Doing at My Age?

So here I am.

54 years old.

And naturally, I had to ask myself…

What were my parents doing at my age?

Well. Buckle up.

Dad at 54: Building an Empire (and Still Not Retiring)

At 54, my dad wasn’t slowing down.

He wasn’t “thinking about retirement.”

He wasn’t “cutting back.”

Nope.

He was (and still is) running Etowah Chemical like an absolute machine.

He started it in 1984 with one location in Gadsden. One. Single. Location.

Fast forward to now?

Seven locations across Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.

SEVEN.

To say I’m proud of my dad is an understatement. It’s more like… in awe. The man travels constantly, grows businesses like it’s a hobby, and somehow still finds time to own three car washes.

Yes. Three.

He used to own two laundromats too, but apparently that wasn’t enough excitement, so he closed those. But the car washes? Oh no. Those are still in full swing. And guess who keeps busy checking on them on the weekends?

Dad.

Retirement? I’m not sure he knows what that word means.

In fact, since he’s clearly not going to slow down anytime soon, I’ve gone ahead and added him to my official “Daddy Do List.”

I’ve informed him that cutting my grass on the weekends would be an excellent retirement transition plan.

Fresh air.

Light cardio.

Bonding time with his favorite daughter.

I may have even suggested it would be a great retirement job.

He hasn’t signed the contract yet… but negotiations are ongoing.

Honestly, if he ever does retire, I’m pretty sure he’ll just “retire” into managing car washes, cutting my grass, and pretending he’s not still working full-time.

Mom at 54: Elementary School Legend, Homework Hero & Professional Fall Risk

At 54, my mom was substitute teaching at an elementary school.

Now, she didn’t need to work.

But she always said she felt “needed.”

And let me tell you — she was.

According to her, she was everyone’s favorite.

“They LOVE me.”

“I’m their favorite.”

And honestly? She probably was.

She subbed every single day because my niece, Kam, was there from kindergarten through 5th grade. It made life easy for my sister Jessica — Mom could help with drop-offs, pickups, and all the logistics.

But that wasn’t all.

Mom was also keeping Kam after school and helping her with homework.

And if you ask Mom?

She is personally responsible for Kam being brilliant and earning all those college scholarships.

According to Mom, those scholarships?

Team effort.

Mostly her.

She is SO proud of herself… and Kam.

And honestly? We’re all proud of Kam. But we definitely let Mom take her victory lap. 😄

Now, let’s address the other part of her substitute career…

Mom was always falling.

Always.

Every time she’d tell us a story, we’d brace ourselves.

“Did you fall again?”

Somehow she would get hurt, recover, and go right back the next day like nothing happened.

She never missed. A. Day.

And the stories from the special education classroom? Absolutely priceless.

Especially the time she told a little girl “No,” and that sweet child turned into a spider monkey, jumped on her, and literally pulled her hair out.

Out.

Most people would retire immediately.

Not my mom.

She went back the next day.

Because “they LOVE me.”

And honestly? They probably did.

The Cruise Fund & Family Vacations

Let’s talk about the real reason for all this dedication.

Cruises.

Mom saved that substitute money for cruise trips — and gambling money on the ship (let’s just be honest).

And the best part?

She would pay for all of us to go.

Family vacations together — Dad, Mom, and me — laughing, traveling, making memories.

It was (and still is) so much fun.

Now she hasn’t subbed in the last two years. Kam is a senior. Time has flown by in the blink of an eye.

But here we are.

Still cruising.

Still traveling.

Still together.

Dad still working.

Mom still planning trips.

Still proudly claiming credit for scholarships.

And me at 54… building my Daddy Do List.

I guess that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

And honestly?

If I can be half as hardworking as my dad, half as committed as my mom, and smart enough to line up my grass-cutting retirement plan early…

I’ll be doing just fine. 💛