December 16, 2025
The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.
Rick Warren
Now in my late 30s, one of the things I’ve learned is this: when someone you love offers to visit, don’t say no. My cousin and aunt just wrapped up a five-night stay with me, visiting from the east coast. When they reached out last month and suggested this past week to visit, I looked at my calendar and saw it was packed — work meetings, kids’ activities, travel throughout.
I was transparent that I’d be tied up a lot of the time — but not all of it. And they were clear too— this was their only window to visit for the next couple years given their own schedules. Between weddings, vacations, work, family planning, it’s never easy getting people together from across the country. So we made it work.
It was a beautiful visit. We squeezed in precious family time, park visits, and meaningful conversation. I dropped them off at the airport this morning and we smiled thinking back on the week. The older you get, the fewer chances you have to spend quality time with people you love. If those people live nearby, great. But if they don’t (and most won’t), then every visit is, in a sense, a miracle. Rare. Precious. Never to be taken for granted. In a life that’s short enough already, the gift of presence might be one of the best gifts of all.