It's Mother's Day on Sunday and to ensure we celebrate in style I got tested for the coronavirus recently.
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As did the mother in law.
Social isolation has continued thereafter, but restrictions on family visits have been eased.
The PM has been urging us to "slip, slop, app" so we can get to the pub early.
And I figure after a long-delayed catch-up in person with the MIL, I might need a drink. Just kidding.
It's been a while since we've seen each other though and Mother's Day will be an nice way to mark the new normal.
She's been been dutifully self-isolating, and in her own words "going a bit mad".
"A bit madder" I like to quip when we FaceTime, as only the proud son-in-law can do.
She'll often reply something about "kettle-black", which I think is a reference to her computer skills.
Extended lockdown has really sharpened the intra-family online humour.
Almost infectious, you might say.
(And no, I have not been using Covid-19 to avoid contact with my mother in law.)
The main theory behind getting tested was that if I knew I wasn't infected, and MIL knew she wasn't infected, we could get together without creating Australia's latest COVID cluster.
Love hurts, but that would be unfortunate.
Apart from that, I'd been exhibiting a few pandemic symptoms.
Pacing, growling.
Oh yes, and a runny nose and cough.
I have to say the procedure was clinical, professional and prompt.
The people seemed keen to move us on when we arrived.
Like we were radioactive or something.
And fair to say, there was a glow of anticipation.
The COVID test has a reputation for being a touch uncomfortable.
But only if you find tickling the S-bend of your nasal passage with a cotton bud disconcerting.
The probe they use is a bit longer than a standard cotton bud and provides great leverage up the ole olfactory.
Really brought a tear to the eye, and not just because I was doing my bit for Team Australia.
Watery eyes are part of the gag reflux, I was told.
Along with the sound "per-KUK!!" which was heard to emanate from my lips in answer to the query "are you OK?"
It was intended to communicate "I'm good" until I realised they were going to do it to the other nostril as well.
Even then I was pretty good because the experience is not that bad, and of course it's for a great cause.
In terms of overall enjoyment, I'd rate it equal to my quarantine beard - not so hairy at all, which is a shame about my ability to grow facial hair, but a real incentive to get tested.
Twenty-four hours later we got the all clear from medical authorities.
The best Mother's Day gift ever.
