I so relate to this. Time passes so quickly with our children. And as they grow they connect in their time and on their terms. Blink and the moment is gone. Grab every precious moment, every late night pick up . . .each moment is a memory of being loved, s connection the details of which maybe forgotten, but the love wont. And when they grow, just as we made time for them we hope they will keep making time for us. Loved this
This is so relatable. I struggle with the same and it has been a journey to honor my own needs. Being a single parent makes it even harder to disappoint my daughter, but sometimes it's just the way it is. And yes, sometimes we need to flex 🥹✨️
It is a hard line to walk. And I certainly don't always make the right choice, but I was grateful that one time I chose presence over sleep. Though I will admit, I really like my sleep and often choose sleep:). And yes, I can certainly imagine how much more complicated it is when you are parenting without a partner. Your daughter is lucky to have you.
At 5 a.m., while the rest of civilization was drooling on its dreams, you were awake, writing by the glow of a snoring dog. Discipline? Maybe. Madness? Definitely. But it works.
You turned insomnia into poetry and a grocery-store run into a Hallmark movie that doesn’t make me gag. Laughing with your teenager in a Harris Teeter parking lot while the rest of us are arguing with our coffee machines? That is emotional Jedi training. I do not have kids, but I know devotion when I see it. It looks like someone trading their REM cycle for aisle nine.
You reminded me that connection is not built from candlelight or deep conversations about “the journey.” It’s built under flickering fluorescents, surrounded by discount cereal, when you choose laughter over sleep and presence over comfort.
That kind of moment belongs in a museum. Right between the first shopping cart and the tears of every parent who thought they were just buying milk.
You did not just show up. You clocked in for love’s night shift, and the paycheck was joy under bad lighting. Maybe that’s what real love looks like. Not the big gestures, but the quiet, tired ones that still make time to say, “Let’s go.”
And yes, I miss Harris Teeter too. Where else can you find rotisserie chicken that tastes like redemption and aisles wide enough to hold every version of who you’ve been, all still looking for something to carry home?
This made me laugh and cry at the same time. I am so glad I didn't make you gag. I used to watch Hallmark movies as a teenager, which I hated so much and yet I couldn't stop. You have made this a full circle moment for me.
Dear description of Harris Teeter is everything. Spot on.
Lastly, I love my boy so deeply. He is off to college next year and I am doing my best to save her every moment, though occasionally he drives me insane:)
Simply beautiful!
I so relate to this. Time passes so quickly with our children. And as they grow they connect in their time and on their terms. Blink and the moment is gone. Grab every precious moment, every late night pick up . . .each moment is a memory of being loved, s connection the details of which maybe forgotten, but the love wont. And when they grow, just as we made time for them we hope they will keep making time for us. Loved this
Yes to this. The specific memories don't matter as much as the fact that we showed up!
Something about connection energizes
Just when the pillow seemed your best friend
Eyes are the batteries of the Soul?
Try not to blink, try to sip the drink!
Yes yes yes!
This is so relatable. I struggle with the same and it has been a journey to honor my own needs. Being a single parent makes it even harder to disappoint my daughter, but sometimes it's just the way it is. And yes, sometimes we need to flex 🥹✨️
It is a hard line to walk. And I certainly don't always make the right choice, but I was grateful that one time I chose presence over sleep. Though I will admit, I really like my sleep and often choose sleep:). And yes, I can certainly imagine how much more complicated it is when you are parenting without a partner. Your daughter is lucky to have you.
Thank you 🙏🏼
At 5 a.m., while the rest of civilization was drooling on its dreams, you were awake, writing by the glow of a snoring dog. Discipline? Maybe. Madness? Definitely. But it works.
You turned insomnia into poetry and a grocery-store run into a Hallmark movie that doesn’t make me gag. Laughing with your teenager in a Harris Teeter parking lot while the rest of us are arguing with our coffee machines? That is emotional Jedi training. I do not have kids, but I know devotion when I see it. It looks like someone trading their REM cycle for aisle nine.
You reminded me that connection is not built from candlelight or deep conversations about “the journey.” It’s built under flickering fluorescents, surrounded by discount cereal, when you choose laughter over sleep and presence over comfort.
That kind of moment belongs in a museum. Right between the first shopping cart and the tears of every parent who thought they were just buying milk.
You did not just show up. You clocked in for love’s night shift, and the paycheck was joy under bad lighting. Maybe that’s what real love looks like. Not the big gestures, but the quiet, tired ones that still make time to say, “Let’s go.”
And yes, I miss Harris Teeter too. Where else can you find rotisserie chicken that tastes like redemption and aisles wide enough to hold every version of who you’ve been, all still looking for something to carry home?
This made me laugh and cry at the same time. I am so glad I didn't make you gag. I used to watch Hallmark movies as a teenager, which I hated so much and yet I couldn't stop. You have made this a full circle moment for me.
Dear description of Harris Teeter is everything. Spot on.
Lastly, I love my boy so deeply. He is off to college next year and I am doing my best to save her every moment, though occasionally he drives me insane:)
Secret…. That’s what we’re supposed to do as children…. I relish in driving my parents insane
TRUTH!
I loved where she said her son called her “mommy”. Who says no to that? PS, my children are four-legged, and they “lick” mommy for more snuggles :-)
Nothing better than being called mommy by your teenager.