Britta are you sad?

First, for historical perspective.

As of September 2015, Niki and Britta had slept every night of their lives together in one room.

In a whirlwind move that was poorly managed by me, an introductory conversation on a Friday night (September 4th 2015) about moving my office out of the house resulted in my doing just that 2 days later. The goal, purpose, and result was to give Niki and Britta their own space, their own bedroom, their own sanctuary.

Which was only partially successful; they still slept together each night in Britta’s bedroom, which is still where all their clothes were.

Fast forward to November 2016, and Niki is taking more of an interest in her bedroom, which had been mostly disregarded for the past 14 months. She decides she wants to sleep in her own bed, which is sporting a new mattress from IKEA.

Sunday, November 20th, 2016: Niki climbs in her own bed, Britta in her own bed, lights go out, and Niki jumps out and runs into bed with Britta, both girls giggling.

Monday, November 21st, 2016: Niki climbs in bed with Britta, lights go out.

Niki: Britta, is it OK if I sleep in my bed?
Britta: (tired, and slightly sick) Yes.

Niki jumps out of Britta’s bed, runs to her bedroom and hops in bed. Lights out. It’s quiet.

Niki: Britta are you sad?
Britta: (Tired, but responds immediately) No.
Niki: Britta are you lonely?
Britta: (Tired, but responds immediately) No.
Niki: Britta are you scared?
Britta: (Tired, but responds immediately) No.
Niki: Britta are you tired?
Britta: (Tired, but responds immediately) Yes.

It’s quiet.

Niki: Britta are you sad?
Britta: (Tired, but responds immediately) No.
Niki: Britta are you lonely?
Britta: (Tired, but responds immediately) No.
Niki: Britta are you scared?
Britta: (Tired, but responds immediately) No.
Niki: Britta are you tired?
Britta: (Tired, but responds immediately) Yes.

I tell a story about a flower and they fall asleep.

Of course, in the morning I awake to find both girls in our bed, but a milestone has been reached. A little funny to watch it play out, but a little melancholy to see it happen. The girls will turn 9 in less than 3 weeks.