13. Our First Family Outing Was a Disaster (and I Loved It)

We planned it for days. Packed everything—extra clothes, diapers, snacks, toys. We felt like superheroes walking out the door. “We’ve got this,” I said with a confidence that now makes me laugh.

Fifteen minutes in, the baby had a blowout that reached the car seat. The toddler cried because her socks “felt weird.” We forgot the wipes. My partner spilled coffee all over the stroller, and I tripped over a scooter. We made it to the park… for about seven minutes.

It was a mess.

But it was also wonderful.

We were together. Outside. Figuring it out. And in between the chaos were little pockets of joy: the way our toddler shrieked with laughter when the wind blew her hair. The baby’s curious eyes watching birds. Our stolen glances that said, “What even is our life right now?”

We didn’t get the perfect photo. We didn’t even get to sit down. But we did make a memory. A very real, very sticky, slightly sweaty memory that I’ll treasure forever.

Parenthood has taught me that “perfect” is overrated. The best moments? They’re the ones where everything goes sideways and you love each other through it anyway.

Next time we’ll bring more wipes. But honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing.