A soppy one today, but this week I couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I am to have my parents – so here it is, a little love letter to my parents while I’m staying at their house.
My parents are actual angels. The kind of people that make you think, “God, I wish everyone could feel this loved.”
Every time I come home, I feel so safe, so warm, so cared for – and I don’t take that for granted for a second.
🍃 The little things that mean everything:
This love letter to my parents wouldn’t be complete without the small everyday things…
If I’m here and they’ve gone out, the heating is always magically on when I wake up or come in from a walk – because my dad’s turned it on remotely from his phone so I don’t get cold. (I’m used to toughing it out in South Africa with no heating, and just a dressing gown, so this is luxuryyyy.)
There are endless airport runs, countryside walks, and cross-country runs.
We do random push-ups, sit-ups and yoga stretches in the living room to see how many everyone can do – cheering each other on like it’s the Olympics. We all sit on the floor to see who can reach their toes, and honestly? It’s chaos but I love it.
They’ll chat to me about the strength training they’re doing in the garage, or the dream gym they’d love to build in the garden one day. We talk about the books we’re reading. The podcast I just listened to. The weird health trend I’m suddenly obsessed with. They’re always up for hearing about it, even if they don’t have a clue what I’m on about. (Dad especially loves the health chats and gets super into it. Mum will die on the hill that the breakfast of champions is a bowl of cereal.)
🎥 Evenings are for dinner, blankets, and films.
We’ve had “space week” this week – Interstellar, Fly Me to the Moon, and Hidden Figures. We watch Pointless and shout answers at the TV and always say my Dad and Brother would be amazing on that show. Then we have dinner. Simple but perfect.
When I need to go to an appointment? I don’t need a lift, but my dad offers to drive me so we can make it into a little trip out together. And when it’s time to head to the airport? We all go.
🥐 “Baby Croissant” and other family icons
I have a full leg tattoo sleeve, made up of beautiful mandalas and florals and animals – and yet, my mum’s new favourite tattoo is the smiling croissant on my ankle. I call it baby croissant in a French accent and she saw it this week and loved it.
💬 Things they never fail to say:
- “Are you warm enough? Shall we put the fire on?”
- “How’s Emily doing?” (my bestie, obviously)
- “Do you want the heating up?”
- ”Where are your slippers? Your feet will be cold”
🥗 When I cook (rare, but it happens)
Whenever I make a nice meal back in SA – usually something like a poké bowl with salmon and honey-glazed butternut, broccoli and carrots in the air fryer – I send them a photo and they reply “oooh that looks nice!” Then when I come home, Mum’s like, “How did you make the veggies like that? Did you air fry them? For how long? What did you use?”
They go and buy all the ingredients I mention just to try it themselves.
🧡 They are just… good people.
The kind of people who actually listen when you speak – not just nodding along, but listening. Asking questions. Being interested.
The kind of people the village calls when someone needs their garden doing, or their kitchen painted, or help getting to an appointment.
They’re the ones who pick up rubbish when we go on walks, help a sheep get back up if it’s fallen over, or help the old man who fell in the hedge, (all true stories).
They just… show up. For everyone. Always.
I honestly feel so lucky. And I really hope everyone gets to feel this kind of love in their lifetime.
The safe, wholesome, “I’ll turn the heating on from my phone for you” kind of love.
Because I would do anything for these two. And I hope, one day, I can be even half as kind and thoughtful and full of life as they are.
Love you Mum & Dad 💖
