• I tried vanilla syrups from Monin, DaVinci Gourmet, Torani, and Portland Syrups in cold-brew coffee.
• I think the Monin syrup had the best vanilla flavor, but I also liked the one from Portland Syrups.
• Although some people might enjoy them, I wasn't blown away by the Torani or DaVinci Gourmet syrups.

It's possible to save money by making coffee at home — but if it's not very good, what's the point?

Fortunately, the right syrup can help make even a novice-made drink taste like it's from a café.

To figure out which belong in my at-home coffee bar, I picked up vanilla syrups from Monin, DaVinci Gourmet, Torani, and Portland Syrups.

I tested them by stirring half the serving size of each into 8 ounces of cold-brew coffee. (A full serving can be too sweet for my liking.)

Here's how the vanilla syrups compared.

Monin's vanilla syrup seemed promising.

Although the Monin syrup bottle was plastic, the elegant-looking label made it feel more high-end to me.

I paid $18.69 for the 33.8-ounce bottle, or $0.55 an ounce.

The ingredients list is short: pure cane sugar, water, natural flavors, natural vanilla extract, and fruit/vegetable juice for coloring.

Of the syrups I tried, this one had the highest calories (100) and sugar (23 grams) per serving, which was 1 ounce, or 2 tablespoons.

The Monin syrup had a rich flavor and a nice level of sweetness.

The syrup had a thin consistency and a nice, natural vanilla scent.

When I added it to the coffee, the vanilla flavor wasn't as strong as it had smelled in the bottle, but it still came through.

Because of the higher sugar content, I expected this syrup to be too sweet. Instead, I found it was the perfect level of sweetness with a more complex, rich aftertaste that kind of reminded me of caramel.

The DaVinci Gourmet brand was new to me.

Although I was familiar with brands like Monin or Torani, I had never come across DaVinci Gourmet in stores or online before.

This 25.4-ounce bottle of syrup cost me $6.88. It had the lowest cost per ounce at $0.27.

The ingredients list includes water, cane sugar, citric acid, preservatives, natural flavors, and added caramel color. Each 2-tablespoon serving contains 18 grams of sugar and 70 calories.

This syrup tasted a bit too artificial for my liking.

The syrup was very thin, and it had an alcohol scent that reminded me of opening a bottle of vanilla extract. It was quite dark from the added coloring.

As for flavor, this tasted very sweet with a really faint vanilla flavor. I didn't love the aftertaste, which seemed somewhat bitter and artificial to me.

To me, Torani is the most recognizable brand of the bunch.

I was the most familiar with Torani, which is oftentimes the only coffee syrup I see on shelves at my local grocery stores.

The 25.4-ounce bottle I purchased came with a pump for convenience and cost me $14.99, or $0.59 an ounce.

The ingredients include pure cane sugar, water, citric acid, preservatives, and natural flavors, but no additives for color.

Each 2-tablespoon serving contains 20 grams of sugar and 80 calories.

The syrup's flavor was more subtle than I expected.

The syrup was very light in color and slightly thicker in consistency than the others (although still thin enough to stir easily into cold coffee).

I didn't smell much of anything when I opened the bottle.

Although I've used Torani syrups before, I was surprised by how subtle the vanilla flavor seemed when comparing this side-by-side with other options.

The sweetness level was ideal, but I wished the vanilla flavor were stronger.

Portland Syrups is a smaller and new-to-me business.

The next syrup I tried is from Portland Syrups, a small business based in Portland, Oregon.

I loved that it came in a chic glass bottle with a metal cap. Notably, it was the only syrup to require refrigeration after opening.

This 12-fluid-ounce bottle cost $14.99, or $1.25 an ounce.

Despite the higher price, this syrup still contains the same number of servings as the others I tried, since it's more concentrated. The serving size is 1 tablespoon (half of the others).

The ingredients seemed simple — filtered water, organic cane sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, vanilla concentrate, lactic acid, and organic vanilla fleck.

It has 25 calories and 6 grams of sugar per serving.

I was impressed by the complex flavors in this syrup.

Upon opening this syrup, I strangely thought it smelled like vanilla and bananas.

Given the simple ingredient list, I expected a really strong vanilla flavor. In reality, I only got a hint of vanilla, and instead got a lot more richness and depth from the brown sugar.

This syrup was delicious with coffee, but it tasted much different from how I'd expect a vanilla syrup to taste.

My favorite syrup offered the most traditional vanilla flavor.

All in all, I think Monin's syrup gave my coffee the best classic vanilla flavor.

I felt it had the strongest vanilla taste and I appreciated its fairly simple list of ingredients — even though it was a bit higher in sugar than I'd typically like.

The Portland Syrups option was a close second for me. It fell short because it didn't have the classic vanilla taste I expected, but the deeper, more complex flavor notes made it enjoyable.

I wasn't wowed by the Torani syrup, but I'd buy it again in the future simply because it's the easiest for me to find in grocery stores. I liked the level of sweetness in it, but I wanted a stronger vanilla flavor.

Torani also sells French-vanilla and vanilla-bean syrups, so I may try those in the future to see if the vanilla flavor is more prominent.

Although the DaVinci syrup was technically the cheapest per ounce, I'd rather pay a little more for a different syrup on this list.

The good thing about all of these, though, is that you can use as much of each as you want to create your perfect cup of coffee.

• Chef Aidan Owens of Herb & Sea is here to answer all your questions about oysters.
• East Coast oysters are briny and lean, while West Coast oysters are smaller and creamier.
• For oyster beginners, Owens recommends trying small varieties like Kusshis or Kumamotos.

For the uninitiated, oysters can be intimidating.

There are different sizes, varieties, and toppings. Should you go with Blue Point or Kumamoto? Should you add mignonette or cocktail sauce?

To answer all your burning questions and help you look like an expert at a seafood restaurant, we asked Aidan Owens to share his tips.

The Australian chef is the culinary director for Herb & Wood in San Diego and Herb & Sea in Encinitas, California, where he exclusively cooks with seafood from independent local fishermen. Owens even has an oyster shell recycling program to help a local lagoon conservation foundation.

Now, without further ado, here's Oysters 101.

East Coast vs. West Coast

It's common to see oysters identified as "East Coast" or "West Coast" on restaurant menus. This identifies whether the oysters come from the Atlantic Ocean or the Pacific Ocean, which infuses them with different flavors.

"East Coast oysters — like Blue Points or Wellfleets — are briny, salty, and lean," Owens told Business Insider. "West Coast oysters — like Kumamotos or Shigokus — are smaller, creamier, and sometimes a little sweet."

If you like your oysters mild, opt for those from colder waters. Owens explained that they grow more slowly and have a softer flavor.

"Brinier oysters usually come from warmer, saltier waters," he added. "They taste like the ocean."

Large vs. small

Don't just choose bigger oysters for the extra meat. They have a different taste from oysters of the smaller variety.

"Bigger oysters are brinier, meatier, and built for the grill," Owens said. "Smaller oysters are delicate and silky, perfect with just a squeeze of lemon."

If it's your first time with oysters, Owens suggests starting small.

"I usually recommend Kusshis or Kumamotos," he said. "They're delicate, sweet, and super approachable for first-timers."

Don't forget the toppings

When it comes to raw oysters, Owens prefers to keep the toppings minimal.

"A splash of lemon, a classic mignonette, or maybe a fermented hot sauce," he said.

However, don't be afraid to pack a punch if you're grilling the oysters.

"Go bold with garlic butter, smoky bacon, or even a little kimchi butter," Owens added.

Stay safe with a smell test

The rule that you should only eat oysters during the months that end with "R" is an outdated myth that "comes from a time before refrigeration," Owens said.

"Back then, warmer months made oysters riskier to eat," he added. "Thanks to modern refrigeration and farming practices, oysters are safe and delicious year-round."

All you need is a quick smell test to ensure your oyster is fresh.

"A good oyster smells like clean ocean air," Owens said. "If it smells like a bait bucket left in the sun, walk away."

• After flying with 40 different airlines, Qantas stands out as my favorite.
• In my opinion, the airline offers great customer service and in-flight perks.
• Overall, I think Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability.

When I first started traveling internationally, I wasn't loyal to any one airline. I simply chose whichever flight could get me to my destination at the lowest price.

However, in my 30 years of flying with 40 different airlines in seats ranging from business to economy, I've learned that the cost of a ticket isn't everything.

Oftentimes, the key to having a great trip is booking with the right airline. And after hundreds of flights, I have one carrier I'll choose every time I can: Qantas.

From the friendly staff to the included perks, here's why I love flying with the Australian airline.

I always feel at home on Qantas flights

When flying with Qantas, I always find the staff to be friendly and welcoming.

In some cases, they'll even go out of their way to make my trips even better. Once, after a long layover in Europe and a delayed flight with another airline, I was feeling exhausted and disheveled.

When a Qantas crew member came by my economy seat with water, we started chatting and I explained my situation. Later, they returned with a first-class amenity kit and pajamas so I could freshen up and change out of my travel-worn clothes.

This small, thoughtful act made a big difference for me on a tough travel day, and is something I'll always remember.

I never worry about hidden costs — or pay for airport food

I love that even on the shortest domestic flights, Qantas offers a free meal or snack and nonalcoholic beverages. This means I never need to arrive early to buy overpriced airport food.

Qantas also provides complimentary beer and wine on domestic flights after 12 p.m. — a nice touch that makes even short flights more enjoyable.

One of my favorite perks, however, is that baggage is included in the ticket price on all domestic and international flights. This isn't the case on most major airlines (even Southwest famously ended its free baggage policy earlier this year).

In my opinion, it's just another thing that makes flying with Qantas pretty great.

The Oneworld alliance makes US travel more seamless

Another significant advantage of flying with Qantas is the airline's membership in the Oneworld alliance — a global network of 14 airlines that makes connections easier and offers benefits across carriers.

The perks are especially great for passengers who have a frequent flyer account with one of the participating airlines.

For example, my Qantas gold status grants me priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to over 600 Oneworld lounges globally.

The lounge access is one of my favorite perks, since I can grab a decent meal before boarding a meal-free US domestic flight.

Sometimes, I even shower after a long-haul journey from Australia, arriving at my final destination refreshed and for the day.

When I'm able to, I always book with Qantas

No airline delivers perfect service 100% of the time. After all, delays and cancellations happen.

However, after hundreds of flights, I've found that Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability.

Although I may occasionally find cheaper fares elsewhere, the overall experience makes Qantas my go-to option whenever possible.

Most days, Anita Alvarez starts training at 6 a.m. She performs twists and lifts across the pool, holding her breath underwater for minutes at a time.

While it paid off in the pool — she returned home to Los Angeles in the summer of last year with her first Olympic medal, a silver, in artistic swimming, formerly synchronized swimming — it didn't pay her bills.

Earlier in Alvarez's 12-year swimming career, she worked at a sporting goods store to supplement the $250 monthly stipend she said she received from Team USA.

Alvarez told Business Insider her stipend had since increased to $1,900 a month. But rather than adding to that with coaching gigs, teaching private lessons, or prize money as she's done in the past, she's joined the US Air Force's World Class Athlete Program. The program funds Olympic athletes' training in exchange for three years of military service after their Olympic careers.

While the phrase "professional athlete" often evokes thoughts of multimillion-dollar contracts, red-carpet appearances, and lavish living, this type of stardom is often reserved for the upper echelon of male athletes in the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL.

Many full-time athletes outside these leagues — and many of those within them — still struggle with finances. Careers in sports are often short, and some athletes come from families with little experience dealing with large sums of money.

"It was stressful because you want to be so focused and dialed in on the Olympic training that we're doing, and that's not just the time we're at the pool," Alvarez, 28, said. She added, "But then, knowing that I had to leave after eight hours in the pool, I'm physically, mentally exhausted, and then I have to get out and rush to shower to run to make it to work on time."

Four current and former professional athletes shared how they'd faced these uncertainties by prioritizing financial literacy, investing, and starting businesses of their own.

A short window to make money

A 2020 study published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that the average length of "maximum achievement until retirement" in terms of sports performance was 4.9 years for athletes in individual sports and seven years for those on teams.

"Our career span and lifespan in the NFL is so short that by the time you've spent that money, it's super hard to get back," Sheldon Day, a defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders who's preparing to enter his ninth year in the NFL, told BI. "Most people don't understand the lifespan, and then they think the money's going to always be there."

A 2022 analysis of player data by The Sports Daily found that on average, an NFL career lasted just 3.3 years.

Athletes like Alvarez have a much longer window to earn, but the opportunities appear to be fewer. Alvarez, who's worked with brands including Skims and Tresemmé, said she usually sees brand deals and sponsorships pick up leading into the Olympics, but when the games end, the companies move on to whatever's next.

Of course, the athletes aren't just training every time there's an Olympics. "It's not every four years," she said. "It's every single year that we're here training."

A survey released in December by Parity, a sports marketing and sponsorship platform for professional female athletes, indicates Alvarez's experience of working while training isn't unique: Seventy-four percent of the 500 female athletes surveyed said that in the previous year, they had a job outside of being a pro.

Planning for retirement while still in the game

Angela Ruggiero was a star on the ice, medaling in four Olympics, including a gold medal in the 1998 Winter Games. Still, she knew hockey wouldn't be enough to financially support herself, especially in retirement.

"It was tricky, but I think I always knew I was going to have to get a job being a female athlete and not making a ton of money as a pro," Ruggiero, 45, told BI.

Ruggiero said that during her last Olympic cycle, from 2008 to 2011, she earned a base pay before bonuses of $2,000 a month from Team USA, in addition to endorsements from brands such as Coca-Cola and Nike.

"I was 31 and wasn't saving money, whereas my peers who had had regular jobs were ahead of me financially, which is kind of crazy — I had a gold medal and four Olympics under my belt," she said. "But that's never why I did it. I never did it for the money. I did it because I loved the sport."

It's a common experience among professional female athletes. Seventy percent of respondents in the Parity survey — which had representation from 55 sports — said it was "very likely" they'd need a new source of income when they retire from competition.

For Ruggiero, part of the solution was investing. Later in her career, she asked Coca-Cola, one of her sponsors, to give her equity in the company, she said. When they gave her a check instead, she took a piece of it and bought stock in the company.

The former NBA player Baron Davis, who is reported to have earned more than $140 million throughout his career, playing for 13 seasons across six teams, also had the forethought to invest his earnings. His first investment was with the then startup Vitaminwater, but it came with a condition.

"The only ask was, 'I want to be on your marketing team or an advisor on your marketing team as a creative, so I can learn how to replicate a brand and its success,'" Davis, 46, said.

"And that shaped my career to say, 'I can be my own agent. I can do my own deals. I can pitch to brands. I know what I'm capable of both on and off camera,'" he added.

After those experiences, Davis said he felt better equipped to become an entrepreneur after he last played in the NBA in 2012. He created Baron Davis Enterprises, a holding company of his investments including content studios and a membership platform for people who work in sports, business, and entertainment.

Similarly, Ruggiero used her sports background as a launchpad for her second career. After spending eight years with the International Olympic Committee, she cofounded Sports Innovation Lab, a data and analytics company focused on improving advertising, sponsorships, and fan experiences.

"Sports Innovation Lab came from my experiences as a board member, a practitioner, someone that had gone to business school and studied disruptive innovation under Clay Christensen, and I'm looking at my industry going, 'We could be doing better if we had the insights,'" she said.

Still, these career changes don't come without challenges. Davis said athletes could experience pushback in their second careers because they're athletes.

"You have the ability to get into meetings or get into places based on your fame, your history, or your recognition," he said, adding that athletes are often asked to still prove themselves as entrepreneurs, investors, and C-suite executives.

Helping the next generation of athletes

Athletes are uniquely positioned to help others within their professions.

Day, 30, watched as an NFL teammate spent money on cars, jewelry, and nights out at clubs, seemingly not considering that one day the paychecks would stop. After witnessing that teammate struggle financially while still in the NFL, he decided to do something about it.

Alongside former NFL player Richard Sherman and a health and sports scientist named Tom Zheng, Day founded The Players Company, which seeks to help athletes with personal finance through education, networking, and community events.

In 2024, the company partnered with Mogul Club, a real estate platform, to help players invest in real estate — something Day himself tapped into early in his pro career. "I jumped right in on the single-family real estate side, trying to give back to the city of Indianapolis where I'm from," he said.

Day, who's earned $7 million so far during his NFL career, per the sports financial system Spotrac, has since incorporated commercial real estate into his portfolio, in addition to building homes in lower-income neighborhoods.

Whether an athlete is handling millions of dollars or working second jobs, earning money is only half the battle. Knowing what to do with it is a separate challenge, and athletes ultimately need to figure out what they're saving for, Andrea Brimmer, a former varsity soccer player at Michigan State University, told BI.

"You think about money in terms of how it can empower the things that you love or the people that you love the most in life, and it gives you a very different purpose in earning money," said Brimmer, who's now the chief marketing officer at the online bank Ally Financial.

Ruggiero said money management should be emphasized more while athletes are still playing, not after they retire.

"What we're told as athletes is: Eye on the prize. Win the gold medal. Win the championship," she said. "You're given all these amazing tools for the prize, the sports prize, which is great, but it doesn't always serve you."

"Even in the NCAA, if you're a collegiate athlete and you're going to go pro the next year," she continued, "could you at least take a class over balancing your checkbook?"

• Karyn Farr is a travel advisor who has visited more than 125 countries.
• Of all those places, Farr told Business Insider that Mongolia was one of her favorites.
• She said Mongolia's natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and hospitality make it worth visiting.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with travel advisor Karyn Farr, a Californian who has traveled to 125 countries. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

I've been a travel advisor for 24 years and have visited over 125 countries.

My travels have taken me to Canada, all across Europe, the United Kingdom, the Nordic and Baltic countries, India, South and Central America, the Middle East, Asia, coastal Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Of all the places I've been, Mongolia is one of my favorites. It's incredibly beautiful and unique, with a lifestyle and culture that not many people get to experience.

I first visited in the summer of 2018 with a small group of people, and we traveled the country extensively. While Mongolia is very welcoming to foreigners, you'll want a guide — unless you're just staying in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, where a lot of the population lives.

If you're heading to more rural and remote areas, you need guides who speak English and transportation arranged in advance.

The country certainly isn't one of the more touristy destinations. I had to fly from Los Angeles to Beijing — a two-day journey just to get there. It requires a truly adventurous spirit, but it's absolutely worth visiting and experiencing for yourself.

Mongolia's scenery is stunning

One afternoon, when I was in Ulaanbaatar, I was walking around when a local man approached me and asked, "Where are you from?" I said, "California," and his eyes widened. He said, "Well, that's far down there," and said, "Welcome, I hope you enjoy your stay in Mongolia."

I did. I spent about two weeks there and visited many different regions, each so different.

Mongolia has a beautiful landscape. There are many lakes, pine forests in the North, which have a climate similar to the northern United States, and open spaces filled with greenery, where cows and horses freely graze.

In the South, there are a lot of mountains, including the Gobi-Altai Mountains. The southern region is also home to the Gobi Desert, which has a lot of sand dunes.

One afternoon, while my group and I were exploring the dunes, our tour guide showed us a natural spring flowing up from the ground. I spent the afternoon watching the spring feed nearby horses. I just felt very connected with the land.

Mongolia is best known for Genghis Khan, a conqueror who founded the Mongol Empire, which became one of the largest empires in history. If you head east, you can visit the Genghis Khan Statue Complex. It has massive statues of Genghis Khan and his warriors.

The country is also known for its horseback riding, made famous by Genghis Khan's army. I had several opportunities to ride the horses when I visited, and it was wonderful.

I had many adventures in Mongolia

There's a lot to do in Mongolia. When my group was in Ulaanbaatar, we stayed in a small Western-style hotel. During the day, we visited a Buddhist monastery. In the evening, we went into town and enjoyed entertainment like traditional music and dance. Mongolians have a distinct vocal style: they throat sing.

When we were in the Gobi Desert, my group stayed at the Gobi Nomad Lodge, a resort with many gers, also known as yurts, which resemble tipis in Native American culture.

At night, we would sit outside and watch some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen.

In the desert, we saw camels, horses, sheep, and yaks. I also tried my hand at archery. Hunting is a historic tradition in Mongolia, and there was an archery range set up. I wasn't exactly accurate, but I was proud to get my arrow to the target.

In Ömnögovi Province of the Gobi Desert, we visited a local family and spent time in their yurt home, where they served us traditional food and fermented mare's milk.

We also explored the Flaming Cliffs, also known as Bayanzag, famous for their glowing orange rocks; the Singing Sands, sand dunes that make music when shifted by the wind; and the Khavtsgait Petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings dating back to the Bronze Age.

I feel incredibly special and blessed to have had the opportunity to experience this. It's not something everyone dreams of doing, but I grew up in Iowa, where you don't see much beyond the familiar.

As a child, I would read books and imagine distant places. I always wanted to travel. One time, my mother asked me, "Why do you want to go to all these places?" And I simply said, "Because I can."

I would definitely return to Mongolia — I had so many great adventures, made unforgettable memories, and even made a friend.

Our group's guide, who shared so much about her lifestyle with us, later came to California to visit me and a few other members of our tour group. She and I cooked a Mongolian dinner for everyone in California, giving us a chance to reminisce about our time there.

• When I was born, my parents were in their late 30s.
• Once I realized they were older than most of my friends' parents, I started to worry.
• However, my anxiety has subsided over the years; I've learned to be grateful for the time we have.

When I was born in the winter of 1991, my mother was 39 years old. She turned 40 before my first birthday, while my dad hit the big 4-0 when I was only 2. Their reasoning for having children later than many of their peers was multifaceted: they didn't meet until their late 20s, then school took center stage for a decade or so, pushing kids out of the picture for another decade.

For much of my early childhood, I didn't know the difference between my parents and my friends' (often younger) parents. In fact, I don't think I can point to a single instance when my parents' age even crossed my mind before I entered elementary school. They were just my parents — my playmates and role models — and that was it.

Then, while chatting on the first-grade playground, a new friend and I started talking about our family members' birthdays and ages. My mom was 46, I told her. With wide eyes, she shared that her mom was just 26. Her grandmother, who'd also had children very young, was only in her early 40s.

Suddenly, I came to the staggering realization that my parents were older than some of my friends' grandparents. A quick blip in a casual conversation set off an anxiety that would be hard to shake.

My parents' age became a source of worry

My anxiety around my parents' age grew as I got older, as did my generalized anxiety, though I wasn't officially diagnosed with an anxiety disorder until late high school. The most common theme of my worry was losing my parents prematurely because of their age. I remember sitting awake at night, mentally calculating how old each of my parents would be when I reached particular milestones.

When I was 10, they'd be nearing 50. When I graduated from high school, their 60s would loom. If I got married at 30, they'd be 70. The math made me feel scared and isolated as I wondered if they'd be there to mark special occasions, like I expected most of my friends' parents to be.

Over the years, I noticed subtle and not-so-subtle differences between my parents and others. While many of my friends' parents were fans of modern pop music or enamored with tunes from the '80s, mine introduced me to '60s and '70s classic rock. We had a record player in the living room that spun everything from Pink Floyd to Carole King, remnants of my parents' youth.

I know "oldies" were likely a fixture for some younger parents, too, but I grew to love the fact that I could identify songs on the classic rock station — and it became a fun way to connect with my mom and dad, who had seen some of these artists perform live.

By the time I reached high school, a trend in my friendships emerged: I was (mostly unconsciously) drawn to friends who were also in the "old parents club." Many of my pals with younger parents were still around, of course, but I made quick bonds with those who could relate to the unique anxieties and delights of having parents with similar (read: more… mature) life experiences. Once I learned I wasn't alone in my plight, I slowly began to see my situation as more of a blessing than a curse.

Despite the pitfalls, I'm grateful to have older-than-average parents

As each life experience was checked off my list — high school graduation, college, first "real" job, engagement, marriage, and eventually having my own daughter at age 32 — I was overwhelmed with gratitude that my parents are still around. I'd made the painful realization that age wasn't the only metric in my worries; I watched friends and classmates lose parents of all ages far too early, which drove home the point that even if my parents had been 25 when I was born, it wouldn't have guaranteed a darn thing.

Today, I watch my parents enjoy new grandparenthood in their 70s, and I still grapple with a mixture of appreciation and nagging anxiety. My childhood worries (and mental math-ing) haven't entirely subsided, though I manage them more effectively with a combination of therapy, medication, and mindfulness. While I struggle to assuage the very human experience of anticipatory grief, I'm determined not to waste the present moment lamenting uncertainties about the future.

And while I might snarkily poke fun at my parents for falling into baby boomer stereotypes (like accidentally texting me 10-minute-long voice memos of nothing but grocery store background noise) on occasion, gratitude prevails. Gratitude for the childhood they gave me and my brother, for spending their 40s and 50s chasing me around on all my shenanigans, for the things they continue to teach me, and for their dedication to showing up for me and my daughter — even when their knees are a bit creaky. All of it has happened right on time.