The first real warmth of the year arrived in early March, melting the last stubborn patches of snow along Maple Lane and bringing the scent of damp earth and budding trees. Elias and I had started spending more time outside again — raking old leaves, checking the garden beds, and sitting on the porch without needing three blankets. The house felt like it was waking up with the season.
Amina had confirmed she would come home for five days during her spring break in late March. She had been clear in her texts: she still wanted a quiet visit, no big plans, and she wasn’t ready to bring Noah yet. We respected that completely.
One Saturday morning, while Elias was outside checking the porch railing for winter damage, I sat at the kitchen table with a notebook, making a loose list of things we
