The other day, Jett took a pretty gnarly fall that ended with a few stitches. Thankfully, a doctor was able to come to our house and take care of him, but it was still one of those moments that instantly makes your heart drop.

A few days later, he was telling someone what happened. With complete confidence, he said, "Well, have you ever heard the story of the three monkeys jumping on the bed? It was kind of like that."

I couldn't help but laugh!

The funny thing is, that's exactly how I had explained it to him afterward. Hearing him retell the story with so much confidence reminded me of something important: our kids are always listening.

They're watching how we tell stories. They're watching how we respond when things don't go according to plan. They're learning from the way we frame the hard moments.

It's been a week and a half since our book hit shelves, landed on porches, and downloaded onto Kindles.

Truly, this experience has been one of the most unique roller coasters Andrew and I have ever been on.

Maybe it's because we're already talking about our next Disney trip, but I keep coming back to the image of an amusement park.

Parenting. Moving. New jobs. New projects. Marriage. Writing a book. They're all different rides.

Some are fun the entire time. Some have turns that make you question why you got on in the first place. Some make your stomach nervous while your mind is completely locked in and loving every second.

And honestly, while not everyone will write a book, I think every couple should try.

Not because everyone should publish one.

But because sitting down with your spouse and asking, "What would we write about?" is a surprisingly meaningful exercise.

What lessons have we learned? What stories would make the cut? What do we believe deeply enough to spend months writing about? What experiences shaped us? What would we want our kids to know someday?

Some of our favorite conversations from this entire process happened long before a single word was written. They happened while Andrew and I sat together brainstorming ideas, debating concepts, sharing stories we'd forgotten, and trying to figure out what was actually worth saying.

It was fun. It was frustrating. It was challenging. It stretched us. And honestly, it brought us closer together.

Even if nobody ever reads the final product, there's something special about walking through that process with someone you love.

As we continue this book release, balance summer plans, and keep up with all the normal rhythms of life, I keep reminding myself how grateful I am for this specific season.

And maybe that's the reminder I want to pass along today.

Whether you're on a ride you desperately want to get off of or one you wish you could ride over and over again, the ride eventually ends.

What matters is how you experience it while you're on it.

Jett reminded me of that.

The fall was real. The stitches were real. But so was the story he chose to tell afterward. Not with fear, but with a smile and a familiar analogy.

We don't always get to choose what happens to us. But we do get some say in how we tell the story.

Right now, my choice is to be present. To enjoy what's in front of me. To embrace the excitement, the uncertainty, the gratitude, and even the nerves that come with this season.

Then, when this ride comes to an end, I'll step off, take a breath, and get in line for the next one.

One ride at a time.

— Shawn Johnson and Andrew East

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