Family Road Trips: Four Hours and a Lifetime Apart

Isn’t it funny how social media knows more about my family’s whereabouts than I do? My mom, stepdad, sister, and her fiancé all decided to visit Alabama—just four hours from my place in Georgia. Guess how I found out? Not a phone call, not a text, but a flood of Instagram stories. A few days ago, I messaged my stepdad for his birthday, telling him I missed him. He replied, “So do I.” But if that’s true, why didn’t anyone invite me? It’s been years since I’ve seen them, and apparently, that’s just fine by everyone. Sometimes I wonder if I disappeared, would anyone even notice? Maybe I’m just the family’s best-kept secret. 🥲 #family #loneliness #emotionaldistance #communication #relationships #RomanticRelationships