Tomorrow, Netflix premieres its new adaptation of Little House on the Prairie, and I have to admit, I am genuinely excited to see what they do with Laura’s stories.

To prepare for our watch parties, Brett and I have been revisiting episodes from the original television series. The experience has been difficult to describe. “Surreal” comes close, but it still doesn’t quite capture what I feel.

Sitting on the couch watching my family’s history brought to life is remarkable in itself. What has struck me even more, however, is seeing the character of the Ingalls family reflected on the screen. Episode after episode, Charles Ingalls embodies stubbornness, determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right. Those qualities are more than television traits, they are characteristics I have seen echoed throughout my own family. As we watched, I could tell Brett recognized those same qualities in the people he has come to know over the years.

Beyond the television series, several members of our family have come together to establish the Society of the Ingalls Family, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving not only our family’s history but also the stories of ordinary Americans whose lives and contributions are rarely recorded for future generations.

Building the Society has brought unexpected gifts. I have had the privilege of meeting relatives I likely never would have known otherwise. One of those is Laura Ingalls Gunn. As we work together to organize our watch parties, we have also shared conversations about the weight of carrying a family legacy. Yesterday, we had one of the most honest and heartfelt discussions I have ever experienced. We spoke openly about how overwhelming all of this can sometimes feel.

It was the first time I had shared those thoughts with someone outside my immediate family who truly understood them. Knowing those feelings were shared, and that they were valid, only reinforced for me the importance of the work we are doing.

Our family is not the one riding on the float in the parade. We are the family standing along the curb, watching and cheering with everyone else. But our place is no less important. Without the people lining the streets, there is no parade. The crowd gives the celebration its meaning.

That is how I see America’s story. Most of us will never become famous or have our names written in history books. Yet we are the threads that make up the fabric of this nation. Every family, every generation, every life adds another thread. Remove enough of them, and the fabric begins to unravel.

That is why Laura Ingalls Wilder’s writing continues to resonate nearly a century later. She reminded us that the lives of ordinary people are extraordinary when someone takes the time to tell their story.

As this new adaptation begins, I hope it inspires a new generation to appreciate not only Laura’s stories, but also the stories within their own families. I would love to hear what you think of the series. Join a watch party, participate in a discussion, and share your thoughts. After all, today’s conversations become tomorrow’s history.