“The Drive Home” 🚗💔
It wasn’t a holiday.
It wasn’t a birthday.
It was just Tuesday.
But Daniel left work early anyway.
He didn’t say why — just grabbed his coat and drove two hours through traffic, back to the quiet street where he grew up.
When he walked through the front door, his dad was in the recliner, watching the news. His mom was at the sink, rinsing mugs that didn’t need rinsing.
They looked up, surprised.
“Something wrong?” his mom asked.
He shook his head.
“No. Just… hadn’t been home in a while.”
She smiled gently, drying her hands. “You didn’t have to.”
“I know,” he said. “That’s why I did.”
He sat with his dad. Helped with dinner. Laughed at jokes that didn’t need to be funny. Listened to stories he’d heard a hundred times — and somehow never really heard.
Before bed, his mom tucked an extra blanket around him like he was still 8 years old.
And for the first time in years, he let her.
The next morning, she made him eggs. His dad brewed the coffee too strong.
When he hugged them goodbye, his mom held on a little longer.
“You okay?” she asked softly.
Daniel smiled.
“I just wanted to show up while I still can.
Before the hospital visits.
Before the missed calls.
Before the ‘I wish I had.’”
She blinked away a tear, but nodded.
And he drove away slowly — with the windows down, letting the warmth of “still here” linger just a little longer.
Don’t wait for a reason.
Don’t wait for regrets.
Show them now —
before love becomes a eulogy. 🫶👨👩👧👦