I can still hear the kids arguing about who gets the pink plate while I pour coffee, and that small chaos is exactly what keeps our house feeling alive. As a mom in my forties with two children ages 8 and 12, my days are filled with school drop-offs, PTA emails, and the ritual of waving hello to the neighbor who walks her golden retriever every morning. Some afternoons I find myself pausing by the window, remembering how my mom used to drape paper hearts across her kitchen doorway. Those little traditions make ordinary days feel special. Lately, I’ve been…


