Recently, I took a drive with my partner, Sarah. Just the two of us, we found ourselves on a secluded dirt road near our home, parking to soak in the view of the city lights. As we chatted about our kids, the pandemic, and the vaccine, I realized that in our 16 years of marriage, we hadn’t enjoyed a moment like this since before we had children.
It wasn’t for lack of desire; we have three kids, the eldest approaching 14. For years, we juggled college, work, and a whirlwind of kids’ activities—sports, church events, and homework. Life felt like a constant race to the next obligation.
However, the pandemic forced many of those distractions to vanish. With kids’ sports and events on hold, Sarah and I have found the time to take leisurely drives a couple of times a week, simply enjoying each other’s company and the view.
I’ve also been spending more quality time with the kids. Instead of dividing and conquering to shuttle them to various activities, we now have family movie nights at home, board game marathons, and backyard marshmallow roasts. I even took them sledding for the first time, which is a bit ironic considering we live so close to snowy hills but never had time to visit them before.
While I wish the pandemic had never happened, as it brought immense suffering and uncertainty, its silver lining has been the opportunity to slow down. I’ve realized I’ve been rushing through my kids’ childhoods without fully appreciating the joy of just being together—whether it’s going for a drive with Sarah or lounging on the sofa watching “Star Wars” with my kids.
Once we emerge from this pandemic, I’m determined to change how we live. I plan to reduce the number of activities for my kids, even when opportunities arise. I want to be less involved in excessive commitments myself and prioritize the simple joys of togetherness. I envision more moments like that drive with Sarah, where we can simply enjoy each other’s company and the beauty of life.
The pandemic has taught me that time is fleeting and that our moments together should not revolve around racing from one event to another but rather cherishing the time we have as a family.
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In summary, the pandemic has forced many families to reassess how they spend their time together. By prioritizing quality moments over busy schedules, we can create lasting memories that truly matter.