Noodles and Garlic Bread

Sometimes, being a parent means making two different kinds of noodles, along with garlic breadsticks, at 10:25PM. It's not because the kids can't or won't; they cook for themselves plenty. But because I know that sometimes, when I've had a busy few days or I'm not feeling great, I remember how good it feels to have someone just do something - anything - to make my day a little better.

So when it came to my sick-and-out-of-commission-teenage-girl and my working-two-jobs-and-taking-firefighting-and-EMT-classes-son, I could tell they just needed a little extra TLC today.

I'll be honest; the last thing I wanted to do after a 12 hour work day and errands was make dinner for anyone at 10pm. But soon, these two will be off living their own lives, living on their own, with someone else to lift them up when they had a rough day. (I mean, let's be real - I'm still going to be bringing them soup when they are sick lol). And there's nothing better when you're not feeling great or you've been studying non-stop for finals than for someone to just take something off your metaphorical plate while putting something on your literal plate.

As we enter into the Christmas season, let's all remember that not all gifts have to be wrapped up or purchased. And they don't all have to be delivered on just one day a year. Doing the little things that matter to the people you love - in whatever their love language is - is a gift that is priceless any time of the year.

Tonight, that means some buttered noodles that are slightly undercooked and have a tiny bit of crunch (don't ask me why, she just likes it that way lol) with some garlic breadsticks, along with some shells and cheese since we don't have any pasta sauce. At 10:45 PM.

And I'm definitely going to miss the opportunity to do this when they spread their wings and fly the nest.