From 2017, on his 3rd birthday: The night before, he would start asking when I’d arrive. He kept asking every hour until I did. When I finally showed up, he wanted to sneak a peek. Shy, hiding behind walls and doors, giving me only quick glances. Almost always, I had to trick him into talking…

Deep cleaning is downright dangerous. One minute you’re tossing out old receipts, and the next you’re staring at photos from a life that feels both impossibly close and impossibly far. Old laptops, mysterious USB sticks, photos from questionable angles — all little time capsules of who you once were. Half embarrassing, half endearing, all proof…