It’s now been about 10 days since Quinn sped away in the back of my parent’s Hyundai sedan in full command of the back seat with drinks in his drink holders, snacks in the snack tray, piles of books, toys, crayons. They took their time driving back up North stopping to see family along the way. We talk every day. Sometimes two or three times. I’m missing him like crazy.

My parents had come down here for two weeks at the beginning of June. I know for most people that sounds like something they’d have to painfully endure. But it was actually great. My parents are about the sweetest people I know. I’m lucky. And I’m very aware of this. And having them here was like having my very own Cooking Channel and DIY right in my home. My mom cooked dinner every night. Baked. Grocery shopped. Even cleaned up the kitchen when she was done. My dad hung curtain rods and pictures. WD40′d every hinge and door knob in the house. (What is it with Dads and WD40?) Fixed the toilet that kept running. Yes, they’re very sweet and very traditional.

Then they left with Quinn. And now it’s been 10 days. The good news is I’m flying up there tonight because I’m not sure how much longer I could take it. I’ve been away from Quinn before. For even longer stretches. Almost three weeks two summers ago when I went to Asia with a friend. Two weeks last November when Thor & I went to Argentina. But those experiences had something very key in common. I was the one who was on vacation. Galavanting around the globe. Missing Quinn to be sure, but also plenty distracted. This time is different.

Of course it’s been nice for Thor & I to have some uninterrupted time for eachother — we went to the movies two nights in row last week!! Such party animals — and for our business — we’re formally launching very soon so work has been pretty intense and it’s been good to be able to put in the necessary hours.

But life without Quinn just isn’t as shiny.