I just found this old photo from the winter on Steve’s phone and I love it so hard: Avelyn’s closed eyes and toothless grin, Karenna’s wild smile and Brinley’s stubby arms stretched overhead.

So much has changed in a few short months: the snow is gone, there are apple blossoms swaying in the breeze, grown-up teeth have busted through gums, and the notches on the wall next to their names are all an inch higher.

This marching of time, I feel it. In my bones, in my heart.