The other day, I took a drive with my partner, Sarah. Just the two of us, we meandered down a dirt road near our home. It was dark, and we parked to admire the city lights. While we chatted about our kids, the pandemic, and the vaccine, I realized how long it had been since we shared a moment like this—16 years of marriage and not a single drive like it since before we became parents.
It wasn’t that we didn’t want to—our three kids, with our eldest nearing 14, kept us busy. For years, I was in school, then Sarah was. Once we finished, I juggled three jobs while Sarah worked full-time. Our kids had sports practices, church events, homework, and after-school commitments. For so long, it felt like we were always rushing to the next obligation.
But the pandemic changed that. With many of those activities canceled, we found ourselves with unexpected free time. While I still work two jobs, both Sarah and I work from home now, and our kids attend school virtually. As chaotic as those months have been, I’ve come to appreciate the simplicity of taking short drives together a couple of times a week, just the two of us, soaking in the view of the city.
I’ve also spent more time with the kids. Instead of dividing our evenings between various activities—one of us taking two kids to church while the other rushes another to soccer—we now cozy up on the couch for a family movie night or engage in board games. This summer, we even roasted marshmallows in our backyard and walked along the beach. I even took the kids sledding for the first time, a simple joy we never found time for before despite living just 45 minutes from snow.
I wish the pandemic had never happened, with all its chaos and hardship. I’ve watched loved ones battle COVID-19 in the ICU and witnessed the struggles of friends who lost jobs. Sarah spent three weeks in the hospital battling septic shock, and I sat by her side, consumed with fear about how life would go on without her. I’ve anxiously watched for layoffs at work, wondering how to navigate job hunting in a pandemic. The last 11 months have undoubtedly been challenging.
However, there’s a silver lining: with the hectic pace of life taken away, I’ve realized I’ve been rushing for too long, trying to maximize our kids’ childhoods without appreciating simply being together. Whether it’s a drive with Sarah or watching “Star Wars” with the kids, those moments of laughter and connection have become precious.
So, once the pandemic is behind us, I plan to approach life differently. I’ll prioritize less busy schedules for my kids, even when opportunities arise. I want to be involved in fewer activities myself, ensuring we carve out time for simple moments together. I want to rush less and embrace experiences like that serene drive with Sarah, enjoying just being together.
Having lived through this pandemic, I’ve learned that life is fleeting. Family time shouldn’t be about racing to the next event but cherishing our moments together. For more insights on family matters, check out this related blog post. Also, for those interested in fertility, Make a Mom offers valuable supplements to consider. Additionally, Medline Plus is an excellent resource for information on pregnancy and home insemination.
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In summary, the pandemic has taught me the importance of slowing down and cherishing family moments. As life resumes its normal pace, I’m committed to making time for what truly matters.
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