My family either loves me a ton or they wanted to see me drop dead of a heart attack.  I went to yoga after work on Friday as I try to do most weeks and then headed home to contemplate what non-meat dinner options we had for Good Friday.  I walked into the house, still in my yoga gear and somewhat tousled and sweaty, to find my children staring back at me with big cheesy grins.  What? Uh. Ack! Um. (There exists video of my absolutely gobsmacked reaction but given that it mostly shows me repeating “What are you doing here?” in a squeaky thunderstruck voice, I don’t think I’ll work to hard to show anyone where it is.  It also shows just how much taller than me my children are.  Generally not flattering footage.)

This was the first genuine surprise Frank has pulled off in decades.  He coordinated with the kids – and apparently the neighbors – to get them home for a belated birthday surprise.  As he would explain, he figured the only thing I really wanted for my birthday was more family time so that’s what he got me.  And he’s right.

After 15 or 20 rounds of hugs, when I was truly convinced that they were here and were going to stay for a little while, we wandered to one of our favorite places – Louie’s Wine Dive – where they make the most fabulous fish and chips (gluten free, of course) – and talked and laughed our way through dinner while a jazz trio played.  I heard about roommate issues, girlfriend and ex-girlfriend issues, rugby matches and salsa dancing.  We told stories from our recent trip and generally had a regular family dinner. It was a priceless gift.

Because getting the kids to KC was as much planning as Frank could manage, we had nothing on the agenda for Saturday.  Frank and I ran errands while the kids got some homework done – very pedestrian, I know.  Then it was off to the West Bottoms for some antiquing.  As it was “First Friday” weekend, all the antique shops in the West Bottoms were open.  We prowled through rooms full of trash and treasures and managed to pick up a few items of interest before grabbing a snack – the Food Truck Mafia was out in force.  Then home to have the neighbors over for drinks, cheese and charcuterie. Finally, we ended the evening the only way that made sense:  a family screening of Animal House. Nothing but class in the Cannon household!

Easter Sunday started with a run with Jesse, something we haven’t done together in years.  Then a full fry up including homemade tattie scones followed by church.  I could almost forgive the sea of people who would only attend church on Easter and who prevented us from sitting together as a family. Then several runs to the airport and they were gone.

I think it took nearly as long to clean up after them as they were actually here for a visit but I don’t mind.  They bridged the distance for me, and that’s what matters.