khad.com

Family

It strikes me as odd just how similar different types of love can be. I have been in California since August and have not seen my parents since I drove through the Cleveland area on my way out here. Tonight they arrived in Los Angeles, and I was so anxious to see them I left work early. We went out for dinner at a delicious vegan restaurant called The Veggie Grill. Afterwards I walked them up to their hotel room where my exhausted dad promptly fell asleep, but my mom stayed up for a while talking with me. At first I was worried about keeping my dad up. Then I was worried about waking him after he had fallen asleep. I was just so glad to see them though that I did not want to miss a moment with my mom who was herself straining to stay awake. I do not know if I should be ashamed or nervous to say so, but it felt like a late night talk with a girl I was really interested in. I simply did not want it to end. Eventually, I played the role of a gentleman and excused myself to let her rest as well, but I had to force myself to do so. I could have stayed up all night talking with her. When I left, there was even an awkward pause at the door before I hugged her goodnight.

What can I say but I love my mom. She is the woman to whom any other in my life will forever be compared. It is a high bar to set, to be sure, but I would not have it any other way.

I love my mom.

I love my dad.

I have missed them so.