The Sound of the Key in the Lock

I know that many women and men do this parenting thing all alone. I know many of these people did not sign up for it. Some did sign up for it, but that does not take away an ounce of the struggle. 

If push came to shove, I could do it alone.

When you have a work meeting or a social engagement that requires me to carry our load alone, I CAN do it. That does not mean that it is easy and it does not mean that I do not sometimes call my mama to help. And it most certainly does not mean that I enjoy it. But I can. I need you to know that I CAN do it.

I just do not want to do it alone.

Not only do I not want to do it alone …

I do not want to do it all without YOU.

My mama is great and all. And we have more help than we need if we ask for it. But my mama is NOT you. Any help I would get, they are not YOU.

I want you to be successful in your career. I love that you enjoy networking. I love that you are a guy’s guy. I love that you love your friends, sometimes more than they deserve loving.

But…

I love you here more.

I love this life we are cultivating together. I love being in the thick of it with you. I even love the tantrums, as long as I get to make eyes at you like I am about to explode.

It is all ok. It is all manageable — as long as it is with YOU.

All this to say —

The sound of your key in the lock is one of my favorite sounds.

The sound of metal on metal as you open the door to OUR house, it is one of my absolute favorite sounds in the World.

It means that you are here. You are done counting beans for the day and are here to take it all on with me — the good and the bad.

The sound of your key in the lock means that it isn’t all on me. It means that you are here to shoulder some of the good and the bad.

I can rely on you to help with the bottle washing. I can rely on you to help remember to take the clothes out of the washer — because spoiler alert — I already forgot once today.

I can rely on you to handle some of the requests, the potty breaks, and the tantrums.

I can rely on you to help me feed these tiny people. I swear I have fed them all day long. I have no idea why they are asking for ANOTHER snack.

I can rely on you to help me.

I can rely on us.

I can do it all. But I would much rather do it with you.

That is why the sound of your key in the lock is one of my favorite sounds.