FEBRUARY 4 • 2021 | 11
Multi-generational
families move in together
during the pandemic.
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
T
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 extend-
ed COVID-19 pandemic stay, his parents’
Farmington Hills home became a three-gener-
ational 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 pitch-
black cloud was an unexpected unforeseen, joy-
ous perk. In contrast to those who are maintain-
ing a safe distance from one another, they are
among those whose circumstances allowed them
to create an in-house bubble, with families wait-
ing 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 intro-
duce Ariella to her grandparents. Based on how
things are going, she might not have met them
ON THE COVER
OUR COMMUNITY
Sheltering
in One
Place
Frank, Lisa, Jared, Valerie and Ariella Ellias celebrate Frank and Lisa’s 44th anniversary together.
continued on page 12