It feels like just yesterday my dad was dropping me off for open campus orientation, and I was a bundle of nerves, wondering how I would ever fit in with all these smart people. I remember thinking, How will I talk to them? Flash forward, and here we are—talking about me moving across the country and starting a new chapter of my life. But today, something caught my eye… my dad. I noticed the wrinkles around his eyes, his hair turning more silver than I remember, and realized—wait a second, when did we stop going bicycling together? I have no idea. One day we were doing it, and the next, we just… weren’t. I didn’t notice when the shift happened, but now I can’t unsee it. And I realized—he’s getting older—and I missed it.

Where did all the time go?

Time. It’s a tricky thing, isn’t it? It’s always moving, always slipping by, never pausing for anyone. And there I was, busy doing, well, I’m not really sure what (I’m pretty sure none of it was THAT important), while time was out the door without me.

I recently picked up a book called “The Art of Making Memories” by Meik Wiking, and it made me hit pause for the first time in a while. It made me sit and think about the happy memories I’ve made with my family. You know, the memories you actually remember, not the ones you forget after a weekend of scrolling through your phone. And it wasn’t just a read—it was a wake-up call. It pushed me to call friends I haven’t talked to in ages, to put my phone down and actually listen when someone speaks. Real conversations, what a concept, huh?

It made me realize just how important it is to sit down with the people you love—especially your parents. They get older when you’re not looking. One day you’re riding bikes, and the next, you’re trying to remember when you stopped. Trust me, it’s not fun when the realization hits.

So don’t let that time slip away! Engage, make memories, laugh a little more, and maybe even start a new family tradition or two. You’ll thank yourself later.

And if you want to grab “The Art of Making Memories” to help you create and preserve those memories, here’s the link to buy it.

https://amzn.to/40XeqXj

(If you get it through this link, I’ll be forever grateful—and maybe even share some of my favorite memory-making tips with you!) But if you’re feeling spontaneous, you can always pick it up on Amazon directly.

Loads of luv,

Hannah