Today, January 29th, is our daughter Amanda's 21st birthday, and my husband Joe and I can
hardly believe it. She was such a tiny little thing when she was born, arriving two weeks earlier than expected. It was the middle of an ice storm in the wee hours of the morning, and she weighed just 6 pounds and measured 18 inches long.
Today, she’s a lovely,
confident, young lady in her third year of college, a biology major who is making strides in so many areas. Amanda’s days are packed as she handles all of her schoolwork, works as an EMT, serves as a chemistry teaching assistant, and leads her college’s Moderates Club as its president, just to name a few of the things she's currently involved in. To say she’s a whirlwind is an understatement.
Since Amanda goes to school out of state, Joe and I don’t get to see her as often as we would like during the school year. Thankfully, she’s wonderful at keeping in touch through calls, Facetime, and text messages. But there’s nothing like having her home.
She was recently back for a whole month during her Christmas break, and we savored every moment. We enjoyed cozy family dinners, coffee shop dates, countless trips to the bookstore, indulgent self-care days, and endless conversations that spilled late into the night. It was the kind of month you wish you could bottle up and relive whenever you want.
We also celebrated Amanda's birthday together a bit early.
Of course, we planned and organized to make the most of our time together. Joe and I adjusted our work schedules to be
more flexible. Amanda, who works a few days a week when she’s home, did the same.
We created a list of activities we wanted to do and places we wanted to visit. Knowing how hectic the holiday season can be, we made calls in advance to check hours and availability,
ensuring our plans wouldn’t be derailed. It felt like we were preparing for a mini staycation, and every bit of effort paid off.
The memories we created are now treasures we’ll carry with us until the next time she comes home.
Spending quality time with loved ones isn’t always easy. Life gets busy, and schedules are rarely in sync. But the effort is worth it. When Amanda was younger, it was easy to spend time together; our lives revolved around each other. Now that she’s building her own life, Joe and I cherish these moments even more. They remind us that relationships thrive on
intention and effort.
If there’s one takeaway from this glorious month, it’s this: Make time for the people you love. Rearrange your schedule, plan ahead, and focus on what truly matters. Whether it’s a dinner at home, a shared hobby, or a long conversation over coffee, these are the moments that stick with you. They’re the ones you’ll
look back on with a full heart, knowing that you prioritized what truly matters in life.
P.S. I absolutely love Valentine’s Day and always enjoy finding gifts that are both adorable and practical. I’ve handpicked these treasures to help you share joy, gratitude, and a little extra
love. 
