No Words Said. We Just Held Each Other
Mel and I were standing next to our front door, waiting for our daughter Aspen to come downstairs so we could leave. We’d had a couple stressful weeks as parents, much of it due to traveling for the holidays.
Without a word, we simply ended up holding each other. And it seemed so clear that we both knew why this was happening. Neither of us said “this week has been so hard, and I could use a hug.” We simply knew that a hug, comfort, and knowing that we were there for each other was needed, and the best way to show that was by holding each other.
And it’s crazy to think how long Mel and I have been together. We’re going on 19 years now. And I don’t know if 10 years ago we’d have been this in tune with each other. But now, it seems like we’ve grown to know when the other needs comfort. And in moments like this it just seems to happen without a word being said, and honestly, it’s a beautiful thing in the midst of the chaos of raising kids.
So we stood there for quite a while, because our daughter is one to drag her feet, both of us in an embrace. And by the time Aspen finally came downstairs with several toys in her hands, she said “What are you two doing?”
“Just having a hug,” I said.
She smiled in that knowing way kids do when they see their parents hugging. Then she walked up to us, and joined in the snuggle.
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