Life of Harlow

So Many Changes

Liam

It's a Saturday morning and I'm up, alone, making breakfast. Kenz is out of town for business. Harlow is upstairs sleeping, as is Trevor. They both were up late last night. Harlow just made her curfew and Trevor had Emma over. Having two hormonal teenagers in relationships has been quite challenging. Harlow is in and out and has more freedom with Drake than she ever has.

Every time I turn around, Trevor is trying to have alone time with Emma. I get he wants his privacy with his girlfriend, but there's boundaries and lines that will not be crossed in this house. If I let him have Emma in his room then Harlow will think she can do the same thing, and vice versa. No double standard in this household. 

While the kids are busy with school and their extracurricular activities - Harlow with debate and Trevor with basketball - McKenzie and I are just as busy with our careers. Her Air BnB business is thriving. She's flipping houses all over Houston and expanding to Dallas and wants a few in San Antonio. Plus, she still has her realty business both residential and commercial. She's a fucking beast at what she does and has even talked about us expanding on this house.

As for me, basketball season isn't in full swing yet, but I have my podcast and other business ventures, but of course being a high school basketball coach is my top priority work wise. Even with our schedules being hectic at times, McKenzie and I always make time for each other and now our latest feat is squeezing in time with the kids who are always zooming in and out of the house

Harlow asked to go to a party tonight on Drake's campus along with Luna. Things between the two of them have been smooth sailing after that video incident. Do I think Drake is doing anything shady while 2 hours away, no. He's a solid kid. Still, college campus is a college campus. 

Luna and Harlow will be leaving around 2pm and spending the night with my sister and brother-in-law,  Addison and Cameron, who are a closer proximity. They're driving to my sisters, leaving Luna's car there, and my brother-in-law is driving them the rest of the way. With Harlow's 18th birthday weeks away, I'm trying to give her as much freedom as possible, but it's tough. It took a bit of budging to get me to compromise on her going to a college party to begin with, especially with her track record. 

McKenzie has been the peacemaker between Harlow and I. She has no issue jumping in and mediating because things can get heated between the two of us. I don't want things to get to that level, but sometimes my daughter just pushes the right button to take me there and it's a fight. I did not want her going to this party and had a laundry list of reasons why. McKenzie talked to me and we came to a compromise. That's how I looped in my sister and brother-in-law.

My anniversary with McKenzie is just a couple of months away and I have made the decision to propose. I know it's Harlow's Senior year and McKenzie can take all the time she wants to plan a wedding. I just know I'm tired of introducing her as my girlfriend and ultimately want more. We live together, we're raising two teenagers together. Who knows what's next for us entirely, but I can't see my life without her. 

I never thought I'd fall in love again so deeply after losing Dana. Being a widow in my early 30s with a daughter looking up to me was one of the hardest things I've ever faced in my life. We settled back in Houston simply for the familial support and I wouldn't have to raise Harlow alone. Who knew her starting high school and my younger cousins getting entwined with the Anderson brothers would lead me to meeting McKenzie and falling in love. 

Early on I knew how special our bond was. McKenzie was beautiful and brilliant. She handled every obstacle with grace. She spoke her mind so eloquently taking her stance and making clear of what her boundaries were. I watched her with her son. I watched how she quickly clicked with Harlow. All the pieces fell into place so naturally.