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