A Reminder of Our Village

This spring and summer, our home was full.

Both my parents and my in-laws took turns visiting and staying with us. Between coordinating flights, work schedules, sleeping arrangements, and life with two young children, there was a lot that went into making each visit happen. But every bit of planning was worth it.

What always makes me smile is how different our parents are. In so many ways, they're complete opposites. Yet they share one beautiful thing in common—they love their children deeply, and they absolutely adore their grandchildren. Because we live far apart, they don't get to witness the little everyday moments that make up childhood. So when they visit, even an ordinary afternoon at home feels special.

Their visits also reminded me of something I've thought about often: raising young children without nearby family is hard. Really hard. 

There isn't a grandparent to call for a quick favor or an aunt who can stop by for an hour. You learn to do a lot on your own, and while we're grateful for the life we've built, having family here—even temporarily—made us realize how much we've missed simply having loved ones nearby.

It also made me appreciate the community around us even more.

Some of the most meaningful encouragement has come from fellow parents—those who understand a toddler's tantrum, smile instead of judge when a child is overtired, or simply reassure you that they've been there too. Those small moments of empathy can make a hard day feel so much lighter.

As we've grown SensePlay, I've realized that's the kind of community I hope we're creating.

In Korean, there's a word, imo (이모). It literally means "mom's sister," but it's also someone who loves and cares for your children like family. That's who I hope to be for the families who walk through our doors—not just a teacher or a business owner, but someone who celebrates their children, understands the messy moments, and helps parents feel like they're not doing this alone.

Our house is quiet again now, but this season left me feeling incredibly grateful—for our parents who traveled so far to spend time with us, and for the reminder that while family may not always live nearby, a village can still be built, one relationship at a time.