Generally speaking, we really only know parents as, well, just parents. I think it's easy to forget that before parenthood, our parents were also just individuals trying to navigate their way through life — that they once had dreams and aspirations, and maybe went through some hardships that they don't often talk about. That said, I want to know if there was ever a moment when you became hyperaware that a parent had their own independent life before parenthood.
Maybe your parent couldn't afford to go to amusement parks or other attractions while growing up, so when you took your parent to one, you couldn't keep your eyes off the sheer excitement and pure joy painted on their face.
Maybe you saw your parent being emotionally vulnerable for the first time, and you realized that they, too, need someone to comfort and care for them.
Maybe you were looking through a box of your parent's things and were surprised to find out that they had a bunch of friends in school, were into sports, and won a couple awards for writing stories. After your discovery, you became conscious of the fact that your parent was once a child, too.
Or perhaps you realized your parent used to strive toward a certain life and career, but had to set those dreams aside to prioritize a family.
