OUR COMMUNITY ON THE COVER
Sheltering in One T Place
Multi-generational families move in together during the pandemic. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Frank, Lisa, Jared, Valerie and Ariella Ellias celebrate Frank and Lisa’s 44th anniversary together.
wenty years after Frank and Lisa Ellias’ eldest son, Jared, left for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and then to California for work, they never, ever imagined he would be living in their home again. But not only did he return for an extended COVID-19 pandemic stay, his parents’ Farmington Hills home became a three-generational full house when Jared, his wife, Valerie, and their infant daughter Ariella moved in this past September. While it often seems unlikely that there could be a silver lining to these devastating times, for some, like the Ellias family, behind that pitchblack cloud was an unexpected unforeseen, joyous perk. In contrast to those who are maintaining a safe distance from one another, they are among those whose circumstances allowed them to create an in-house bubble, with families waiting out the viral storm together in a single place. Until they arrived here, Jared said he was able to spend time with his parents only three or four times a year, and Frank and Lisa had never seen Ariella in person. “We have been very fortunate to have our kids here,” Lisa Ellias said. “Some of our friends and family have not seen their grandchildren in almost a year. When Ariella was born [out of town during the pandemic], we were thrilled and sad at the same time. When her cousins were born [before the pandemic], we got on a plane and were there the next day. This time, we didn’t have any idea when we would see the baby. We were so excited when we found out Jared and his family were coming here.” That arrival was not quick, nor was it simple, but it was a perfect fit for everyone. “We had a brand-new baby, and there was a pandemic — and we are both people who can easily work from home,” Jared said. “It made more sense to move here, get the extra help and support of living with family and introduce Ariella to her grandparents. Based on how things are going, she might not have met them continued on page 12 FEBRUARY 4 • 2021
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