This past weekend, my living room was full of some of my favorite things: Ryan, Hunter, laughter, and time together.
We played Upwords and TowerStack. Hunter played his music and showed us his favorite YouTubers. He hung out with us all evening, sharing the things he enjoys, and I loved getting to be part of his world.
There wasn’t anything elaborate about it. We were just spending an evening together.
But I remember thinking, I love this. I could get used to this.
When I think about what I want for my life, so much of it looks like that. Being close to the people I love. Having fun without needing a big plan. Listening to my son’s music. Looking over at the man I love and feeling happy that he’s there.
I’ve spent a lot of time figuring things out on my own. Being a mom, working, keeping up with responsibilities, and trying to make room for the things that make me feel like myself. Some days, by the time everything is done, there isn’t much left of me.
So having time to simply enjoy my family means a lot.
One of my favorite parts of Ryan’s visit was watching him and Hunter work on their woodland fort. If you know me, you know that anything involving the woods already has my heart. But seeing those two building something together made it even better.
I loved watching their ideas take shape. I loved that they had something they were excited to work on together. And I loved seeing the bond they’ve been building through those shared experiences.
As a mom, you notice those things. You tuck them away.
We made other memories, too. Ryan and I explored the trails at Stratham Hill and climbed the fire tower. We went to trivia and came in last with our very carefully chosen team name, Dilly Beans. There was family fun, time outside, and plenty to laugh about.
Then Sunday brought something extra special: Skylar, Caleb, and Ryder stayed overnight.
Ryder’s very first sleepover at Gigi’s.
That alone deserves a little space here, because being Gigi is one of my favorite parts of my life. Getting to have my daughter, Caleb, and their sweet baby stay in my home meant so much to me.
And Monday morning, I woke up with Ryan still there and them there, too.
I loved that feeling. Knowing the people I love were under my roof. Having a morning together before everyone had to go their separate ways. For a little while, I got to enjoy having them close.
There’s something special about seeing your daughter become a mother while you find your own place as a grandmother. I’m still her mom, still loving having her home with me, and now she brings this little person who has made me Gigi.
Our family is growing, and we’re getting to make new memories together. This weekend, one of those memories was Ryder’s first sleepover. It’s a first I’ll always be glad happened here.
Monday was also the day Ryan went home, which made it bittersweet.
I miss having him nearby and being able to look over and see him. I miss the easy conversations and the feeling of all of us spending time together. Saying goodbye is hard, especially after a visit that gives me so many little glimpses of the everyday life I want to share with him.
Long distance makes those everyday things feel especially precious. When you don’t get to share them all the time, you realize how much you want them.
Of course I look forward to adventures and special occasions. But I also want more evenings with a game on the table. More walks. More time watching Hunter share something he’s excited about. More sleepovers at Gigi’s and mornings when family is still here when I wake up.
I want the ordinary days, too.
I’m learning to give those days the attention they deserve while I’m in them. To put down the mental list for a little while and join the game. To listen. To take a picture, then get back to enjoying what’s happening around me.
There will always be laundry waiting and something I need to get ready for. I know myself well enough to know I’ll still be thinking about at least three projects at once.
But this weekend, I got to slow down and enjoy the life happening right in front of me.
My son sharing his world with us. Ryan beside me. My daughter and Caleb staying over with my grandson. Waking up Monday morning and wishing I could have a little more time with everyone there.
Those are the things I’m carrying with me this week.
The fort can be worked on again. The games can come back out. And Ryder has officially had his first sleepover at Gigi’s—with, I hope, many more to come.
This is the kind of ordinary I always wanted.
