Hey there, house. It’s me. I know I don’t clean you or take care of you as much as I used to. I don’t stand still or stop in rooms as often anymore either. If I do, I’m usually running through to grab something that’s been cast aside on the floor by one of the four younger humans that occupy you almost full-time now.

Hey, chair. I miss sitting in you, I do. But you see, I have to chase this toddler, or get these boys started on school work, or get everyone outside to burn some energy off. Better yet, you’re going to double as a Nerf gun battle barrier for the afternoon. At least my kids keep you more company than they used to, and I love to catch the sight of two little legs dangling off the side of you as one of them immerses themselves in a book or even better to see a couple of my kids cuddled up together on you.

Someday I’ll sit in you again, but not today.

Hey, shower. I know I don’t frequent you as often as I’d like either these days. And when I do, sometimes I’m accompanied by a cute little girl who sings and dances or cries on the other side of the curtain, and I have to jump out with my hair still wet. Someday I’ll take a long, long shower again—just not right now.

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Hey, kitchen. Well, I see way more of you now than I ever have in my life. When this is all over, I’m going to need some space. It’s not you, it’s me and all of that. I just think some time apart would do us both a lot of good. I’ll come back someday, but yeah, after making 5.3 million meals in you since March, I think we need a break.

Hey, playroom. Someday I just hope to see the floor again. Someday.

Hey, closet. Thank you for having me when I just needed a minute and somewhere to hide. That wasn’t full of people. I’ll never forget that.

Hey, desk. You used to be all mine, but now you’ve been converted into a true command central. Baby toys live on your shelves for when I have that work meeting and no one can help with the baby. Elementary school books live there too for when school’s online. You are covered in crumbs and snacks and notes and sweet doodles from kids. It’s a good look for you.

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Hey, house. I must say, you are messier, dustier, and noisier than you’ve ever been. You’re also more lived in and lovelier than you’ve ever been.

Full of life and love, just like a house should be.

Times have been harder than usual, but I hope when all this is over we hold onto all the life that happened while all this was going on. Family movie nights, Nerf battles, family Olympics, cooking together, eating together, arguing together, playing together, figuring it out together, praying a lot more together. I may miss these rooms, but, someday, I will remember all this more.

Love,
Parents of young children everywhere during a pandemic