Running Toward Time

I saw a meme recently of Tom Cruise running full speed in Mission Impossible. The caption said something along the lines of how a parent responds when their grown kids ask to spend time with them. I laughed because it felt painfully accurate.

When my daughters invite me to do something with them, I don’t hesitate.

I go running.

Not because I have to. Because I get to.

Two weekends ago, I spent time with my oldest at the Valley Girl Market. One of those easy, happy days centered around women, creativity, and simply being together. Clothes, jewelry, pink food trucks, wandering, laughing, talking, and getting the chance to spoil her for her birthday. Nothing big. Everything important.

Then this past weekend, I had the chance to go to the Tempe Bloom Festival with both of my girls. We shared a snack together, shopped at Urban Outfitters, admired beautiful flower displays, and most of all, enjoyed time together. I got to simply be with my daughters, who I adore and am so incredibly proud of for the women they’ve become. I love that they still choose to spend time with me and include me in the fun.

My girls are in their twenties now, and I’m learning that time together looks different than it used to. Fewer schedules I control and more moments I get invited into. I never take that lightly.

Becoming a single mom years ago changed the way I hold onto time with my girls, and I think that’s part of why these invitations mean so much to me now.

These are the days I hold onto.

The ones that don’t need documenting to matter, but feel worth remembering.

My wish is that moments like these continue. That they will always choose to spend time with me. Their mom. And their greatest cheerleader.

Do you ever find yourself running toward time with your grown kids when they invite you in?

— Jen

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If you’re interested:

The Valley Girl Market is a pop up market held every third weekend of the month at the Clayton House in Old Town Scottsdale from 10am to 2pm. The Bloom Festival in Tempe is a once-a-year event towards the beginning of the year.