Recently, I found myself on a drive with my partner, Sarah. It was a simple outing, just the two of us cruising down a dirt road near our home. The night was dark, but the city lights were breathtaking. As we parked, we talked about our children, the challenges of the pandemic, the vaccine rollout, and simply enjoyed the view. Holding hands and sharing a kiss, it struck me that after 16 years of marriage, we hadn’t taken a moment like this since before our kids were born.
It’s not that we didn’t want to; we’ve just been caught up in the whirlwind of parenthood. With three kids—our oldest almost 14—our lives have been a constant rush. Between college, juggling multiple jobs, and our kids’ activities, we’ve been on a treadmill of obligations for over a decade.
However, the pandemic has changed that dynamic. With many activities put on hold, including sports and school events, we’ve found ourselves with more time. I still work two jobs, but both Sarah and I are now working from home, and our children are doing school online. In this chaos, we’ve rediscovered the beauty of simplicity. We’ve been able to take evening drives together, enjoying the quiet and the city lights.
As for the kids, I’ve found I’m spending more quality time with them, too. Instead of rushing off to separate activities, we now gather to watch movies or play board games as a family. Last summer, we roasted marshmallows in our backyard, tended to our garden, and even made a trip to the coast for a beach walk. I even took the kids sledding for the first time, which was a big deal considering we live just a short drive from snow.
I wish the pandemic had never happened. The loss, uncertainty, and fear have been overwhelming. I’ve watched loved ones endure the hardships of COVID-19, and my own experience with Sarah’s hospitalization was terrifying. But in the midst of this, I’ve learned something valuable: I’ve been rushing through my children’s childhood, missing the joy of simply being present.
Once this pandemic is over and life returns to some semblance of normalcy, I plan to approach things differently. I want to schedule fewer activities for the kids, even if more opportunities arise. I also aim to be less involved in my own commitments, prioritizing those simple moments of togetherness instead. The joy of a quiet drive, a shared laugh on the couch, or simply enjoying each other’s company has become my new priority.
If there’s one lesson I’ve taken from this experience, it’s that life is fleeting. The time we share with family should not be about racing from one event to another but cherishing those moments when we can simply be together.
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Summary: This reflection highlights a dad’s realization of the importance of family time during the pandemic. After years of rushing through their children’s activities, he plans to embrace simplicity and prioritize quality moments together once life returns to normal.