It doesn’t matter that they have their own bed. It doesn’t matter that they toss and turn like a shoe in the dryer at night. It doesn’t matter that you’re on a bench at the airport because of a delayed flight. Or on the floor of a bathroom because they’re sick. It doesn’t matter that they’re too old for this or that you’re too tired.

You’re getting to lay next to your kids. You’re getting to hold them close.

What we want is connection, right? What we miss is how sweet they were when they were little, isn’t it? Well, here it is. A wonderful moment to experience that intimacy only possible between parent and child. One day, they’ll be adults and while you can still hug and kiss and hold them then too, it won’t be like this.

So don’t turn it away. Don’t be a grouch through it. Don’t worry about the bad night’s sleep or catching their cold. Take the hand when it’s offered. You don’t get as many of them as you think or would like or deserve.