My parents, fully vaccinated, came to see us in early March. When I opened the door to my mother and father, we embraced and cooed over one another but, much to our collective surprise, did not cry. Instead, we clipped right back into place. It was as if the previous 15 months of separation evaporated, and we were immediately talking about what size mini wore in clothing, and how nice that painting they’d given us looked in our dining room, and whether they’d already had lunch? We talked around our dining room table for a couple of hours and then reunited around the dining room table in the suite of their hotel on the UES a couple of hours later. Conversation flowed. We caught up on the everything and nothing of our daily lives and most of it was, honestly, material we’d already covered in our nightly conversations with one another over the past year and change. We planned for a family reunion, raved about “Ted Lasso,” strategized around logistics for our upcoming move, compared notes on the homes we’d seen online that they have been graciously scouting for us back in D.C. They take an afternoon drive every single day — a prophylactic against the feeling of entrapment that they have kept up with since the dawn of the pandemic — and often those drives are in the neighborhoods in which we hope to live. They send us street addresses, notes on the curb appeal of new listings, suggestions. We discussed all of this, and little things, too — the necklace my mom was wearing, the elegance of the suite, the steep incline on my father’s running route through Central Park that morning. And then my father stood up to refresh our wine glasses and I looked across the table at my mother and I burst into tears. It surged out of nowhere, a shock of sudden emotion. I was suddenly overwhelmed by the sight of her. I walked around the long wooden table and we hugged for a long time. She understood what was happening and we just held each other without saying anything. Or maybe we said something – I can’t remember. I was too absorbed in the total release of pent-up emotions I was experiencing, the familiar smell of her perfume, the way she never lets go of a hug too early. My mother. Mommy.
It is unbearable for me to imagine going 15 months without seeing my children, smoothing their hair, holding their hands. It strikes me that perhaps this period has been more difficult on our parents than it has been on us. Of course, we haven’t lived with our parents in some time — have in fact lived a meaningful distance from them for the past nine years. We are accustomed to keeping tabs on each other from afar. And my parents stay busy with projects and exercise, read prolifically, keep great company with one another. They have fared beautifully through this pandemic. They have been positive and reassuring when my spirits have waned. They have accepted our new realities with the kind of resignation borne of decades of living life’s vicissitudes. But still. It has been a long, dry stretch for them, isolated from their children. Meanwhile, we have the distraction of little feet and prying fingers and incessant commotion, and full-time jobs, too. The days are long but full. But oh–I don’t know. You’re never too old to need your parents. It has been agony not seeing them.
I feel fortified by their recent visit. Encouraged, too, by the increasing number of anecdotal reports that people in my network are being vaccinated. There is now talk that in New York, we might be eligible for the vaccine next month. Onward we go. And it is an unspeakably beautiful gift to be able to finally hold hands with our parents en route.
Post-Scripts.
+Aren’t we lucky to be children?
+Chanel vibes for less. I can’t stop thinking about this blazer. I feel like it would be a mainstay in my wardrobe forever — throw on over an LWD, or with jeans and a tee, or with an elegant blouse.
+Another adorable pair of scalloped shorts for a little lady.
+I’m really feeling this oversized linen popover with white or light-wash denim. (Some great denim finds here.)
+These pants, in the green. I have a similar pair from eons ago from J. Crew that I’ve already worn a few times in the last few weeks with Supergas or GGs and striped tee.
+I hope I am this kind of parent.
+Under-$20 spring dress for a little love. Love the black tie in the back. Would go great if you were wearing this!
+Speaking of mommy-and-me coordination — your little lady might need this.
+A fantastic, versatile dress, as is this one (under $100).
+Love the ruffle trim on this swimsuit for your little love.
+A simple, well-priced spring bag in great colors. (The mint!) And it can be personalized with hand-painted shadow lettering! Wow!
+Am loving all of the gingham beauty from Tory Burch — this dress! this bag!
+This post sharing nine dresses under $50 has been very popular. I think we will all be twinning in several of these dresses this spring!
+Cute blue and white caftan for poolside lounging. (And great swim here.)
