family matters

When I was younger there was a time I couldn’t wait to be as far away from my family as possible. Today that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Being away from family is one of the hardest things about moving to another city (let alone another state or even another country). It’s tough. It pulls at your heart-strings. For a close family as mine is, it’s overwhelming.

My parents came to see me for the first time since moving to San Francisco and I was beyond excited to see them. Days before I was planning what sights to show them, what food spots they had to try (horchata ice cream from Mitchell’s), and what day trip would be perfect (can’t do better than 75 and sunny in Carmel).

Now that I’m older, I can relate to my parents more than even before. We are in a good place. A place where I seek advice, value their opinion and want as much “mommy and me” and “daddy and me” time as possible.

With people all over the world moving away from home for jobs, spouse, new opportunities, exploration, or just change of scenery, the concept of family matters so much more as a mobile society. Back when my parents were growing up, tradition would require you to stay with your parents until you got married, and even when you did, you might live next door.

I remember an episode of Modern Family (a show that everyone should watch in my opinion) where they shot all members of the family outside a food truck just laughing and having a good time. I’m reminded that now that even though those times are few and far in between, they are that much more valuable.