Eighteen years ago today, I walked down the aisle with a very clear picture of what our life would look like. Not an actual plan… of course! We were young. We had love, optimism, and absolutely no idea what we were doing — which, as it turns out, is apparently all you need to legally…
Before we take any trip, I start with research. And not casual, “Let’s see what looks fun” research. Hi, my name is Susan, and I’m the Type A-est of all the Type A’s out there. Let’s be friends! I mean opening seventeen tabs, reading reviews, studying maps, checking hours, looking at menus, and trying to…
He walked into a room full of people who were complete strangers to him because they mattered to someone he loves.
He stayed until he couldn’t anymore.
To most people, that probably doesn’t sound like much.
To us…
That was success.
The room was full of people who were there for one reason.
Her.
Not because she was hosting.
Not because she planned the menu.
Not because she organized the guest list.
Just… her.
My dad has never had much use for inside thoughts. If something crosses his mind, there is a very good chance it is going to come out of his mouth — clearly, bluntly, and usually without stopping to consider whether the room was ready for it.
I don’t need Eli to blend into the world. I need him to understand it well enough to be safe in it. For our family, ABA isn’t about making him less autistic. It’s about giving him the tools to better understand himself, the people around him, and the situations he encounters every day.
Someday, if we’re lucky, we realize the traditions we grew up with aren’t ours to keep — they’re ours to carry forward.
Twenty years didn’t feel like long enough. Forty-two years certainly was not enough time. Still, eighty-four years wasn’t enough either.
Everything felt fast and slightly disorienting — like things were happening around me more than with me.
I felt this urgent need for everyone in that room to be quiet so I could listen for my baby.
He’s curious.
He’s persistent.
He’s paying attention in ways you might not expect.
