Last month my daughter and I visited my son in his new home in Los Angeles. We stayed for 8 days, and saw firsthand how he is settling into his new life, with his life partner. There are enough stresses when a young couple lives together for the first time. Add on the fact that they are in a new city – that experiences one of the worst fires ever in the new country. Then imagine having your mother come for a visit!

I had intended to cook for them while there, but I did none of that. I didn’t have to lift a finger. I only needed to open a wine bottle and pour myself (and my son) a glass. Each day, we were given options for what part of LA or the surrounding area we might explore.

They gave up their bedroom for us. They even got sun blocking shades for the huge window because the sun rises pretty early there. They didn’t get a chance to put them up before we got there … so installed them one evening while we were witness. It was pretty funny, they literally held each other up during the exercise. And then dressed matchy matchy the next morning (not planned, they changed when they realized. A big mirror for the apartment is next on their to-buy list!). They are adjusting well, working through things together, and their love and affection for each other is palpable.

It was nice. I think my daughter and I brought the comfort of home just by being there.

They are a great team. I am so thrilled for them. I’m a proud Mama. When I tell friends my firstborn has flown the nest, they tell me “I’ve done good”. I just didn’t think it would happen this fast.

It seems like just yesterday, and not like a lifetime ago that Ian and I were starting out ourselves. Setting up our own own home. Nesting. We reveled in the fact that we had something for just the two of us.

Our first house was in the west end, Bloor West Village in Toronto. Lots of families, kids, tree-lined streets, craftsman houses, neighbourhood shops and cafes. And us.

We’ve always had music in the background of every home. I still have many CDs from that time, albums that I would play on repeat. The other day I heard “Jane” by the Barenaked Ladies on the radio. It brought me right back to the year we bought our house. The song was inspired by the intersection of Jane and St. Clair, not far from where we lived. Fun fact, it was written by Steven Page of the BNL and Stephen Duffy. Yes that Stephen Duffy

Here’s Jane – Barenaked Ladies, fantastic Canadian band.