You know how it goes—over time, some of the kids’ responsibilities tend to vanish like socks in the dryer. My partner, Jake, took on the task of filling the dog’s bowls as part of his nightly routine, and judging by the fluffy tumbleweeds of dog hair scattered around, it’s clear that no one is on top of the dog-brushing game. But there’s one tradition we’ve held on to: our evening family dog walks.
When our kids were younger and still in elementary school, it was a breeze to get all four of us, plus our tail-wagging friend Max, out on the greenbelt for our stroll. Nowadays, we only seem to gather as a complete crew on those sizzling summer nights when homework isn’t looming and the winter chill isn’t making us reconsider our life choices. But this week, with a stroke of luck, we found a warm evening where all our schedules aligned, and off we went for our nightly jaunt. Honestly, I would have called the night a massive win with just the family dinner and a dog walk—like hitting the jackpot!
But wait, it got even better.
In our hyper-scheduled parenting landscape, it’s the spontaneous moments that truly shine. After we returned home, I decided to cool off by dipping my feet in the pool. I watched as our kids poured lemonade in the kitchen, fully expecting them to hastily grab their drinks and retreat to their screens. Instead, one of them, Emma, quietly came outside, quickly followed by her brother, Alex, and Jake with Max trailing behind. Without missing a beat, we all plopped down at the edge of the pool, seamlessly continuing the light-hearted chatter we’d started during our walk. It was simply wonderful.
It felt like a precious gift.
As we navigate this transitional phase—our daughter Emma getting ready to leave for college and Alex not far behind—it’s a strange time. Like every parent, I have hopes and dreams for their futures, but my most selfish wish is this: that even after they’ve crafted their own lives and started families of their own, we still find moments to gather together, gazing at the evening sky, delighting in each other’s company, and sharing conversations about everything and nothing, just like old times.
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