Boris Kodjoe opened up about life as an empty nester during a recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show.
The Soul Food actor discussed the emotional transition he and his wife, Nicole Ari Parker, experienced after their two children, son Nicolas and daughter Sophie, left home.
“First of all, the first couple months are going to be really hard. I was depressed. I was sad for four months. I would, you know, sleep in their bed at night. The dogs were depressed because the energy changes,” the father-of-two shared. “You got to remember for 20 years, you raised these humans and there’s noise in the house and dancing and laughing and screaming and all of a sudden it’s super quiet.”
Eventually, the couple adjusted to their new normal and have even learned to embrace it.
“So, Nicole and I had to get used to that first, but now is the best thing in the world. Look, you rediscover each other. You rediscover who you are. What is your identity?” the Station 19 actor continued. “And we get to do all these great things together. Go on all these adventures together. Be naked together. We don’t have to lock doors anymore. So, don’t be scared.”
Kodjoe and Parker welcomed daughter Sophie in 2005 and son Nicolas in 2006. Kodjoe previously spoke with People in 2007 about how becoming a father reshaped him.
“Once you become a parent, you’re introduced to a whole new level of emotion,” he told the outlet. “I want to do well and conquer the world for them, like Superman. It’s as if a whole new chamber in my heart has opened up.”
The family also faced challenges when Sophie was diagnosed with spina bifida as an infant. The experience led the couple to launch the Kodjoe Family Foundation. Today, both children are healthy and thriving.
“To me, my family is beautiful because everyone is kind,” he said in 2019 to People. “They’re compassionate, they’re considerate.”