The Heart Matter

By the time you're reading this, I will hopefully be somewhere over the Atlantic—or maybe even standing in Stockholm—with my family.

Just my family of five.

And if you're a parent of young adults, you know exactly why that sentence carries so much weight.

Because these days, our kids have lives.

They have careers, apartments, partners, friends, travel plans, obligations, and places they want to be. They are building beautiful lives of their own, exactly as they should.

So if that resonates with you, stay here with me for a minute.

Because this mama heart is feeling all the feels.

My boys, 26 and 25, chose to spend their vacation time flying to Europe to watch Ellie play soccer and then travel together during her international break. To say this feels epic is an understatement.

My heart is so full.

And honestly? By the time we land, all that will matter to me is that first family hug. The five of us. Together.

Let's face it. These big kids have places to go and people to see.

While they are kind, thoughtful young adults who always make time for family, it is rare that we are all together—and even rarer that it is just us.

The last several years have included partners, grandparents, cousins, extended family, friends, celebrations, and wonderful chaos.

And I love every bit of that.

But there is something profoundly special about this season.

Two weeks.

Just us.

No additions. No subtractions.

Five people choosing to be together.

And that, for this mama, is what I call heart matter.

Heart matter is the stuff underneath all the health habits.

It's underneath the strength training.

Underneath the Queen Bee Meals.

Underneath the one-minute moves, the dog walks, the protein, the vegetables, the water, the sleep, and the routines we work so hard to build.

After all of that...

there is the heart.

The heart that beats a little faster with joy.

The heart that cries from excitement.

The heart that holds this precious and privileged love so fiercely that you simply want to stay in it a little longer.

A little more linger.

A little more holding on.

A little more heart.

Sure, there will be amazing photos.

There will be incredible meals.

There will probably be delayed flights, missed trains, hikes where we have absolutely no idea where we're going, wandering days, wasted days, packed days, and epic days.

But the things that matter most to the heart won't show up in the pictures.

It will be the conversations.

The laughter.

The family playlists (and yes, we have multiple).

The inside jokes.

The moments sitting around a table after dinner.

The hugs.

The little moments in between.

Those are the things that will bring out the very best version of health for me.

Because real health isn't just about taking care of your body.

It's about being fully present for the people you love.

So if this summer gives you even a morsel of time with your beautiful humans, take it in.

Hold it close.

Because it doesn't matter where you are.

It matters that you are living into the moment with your people.

That you are paying attention.

That you are present.

That you are collecting heart moments instead of rushing through them.

To me, that's the very best kind of health.

And as for the bonus health tip?

Drink the water.

Take the steps.

Find the protein and vegetables.

Then go hug your people.

That's some pretty powerful heart health right there.

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Jenny