Trading off
/We started the summer off right with some good old fashioned sleeping over.
Our best little friends came over on Friday night while their parents had some much need fun- alone. These 6 monkeys watched this riveting tale and munched on some black licorice, junior mints and kettle corn in my bed (after they were evicted to their own sleeping quarters I just changed the sheets- too many snack remnants :) I think the last one held out until 11:00pm- not bad. By 6:48am the next morning all were awake and pleading for pancakes.
We had a little deal worked out you see. The first night the kids were at our house, the next night we traded with our friends. I think that we scored the better end of the deal because keeping 6 girls happy and at ease with one another after the night before (they were all pretty toasted) cannot be an easy gig.
No matter, they were on their own. And so were we. Do not be deceived by my fake flippant tone. It was very hard leaving them. Laurel had never spent the night away from us and I can count the number of times that the other two have slept away from us on one hand. Thankfully I was forced into it. Good friends are fierce like that.
So here is my date. Isn't he cute? He told me that this was his pensive pose. Funny, cute and clever- he's all mine.
Here we are together. I would like to point out several details concerning this picture. First of all, please notice my triple chin- precious. Next, I want you to know that my husband is rolling his eyes under those rad glasses of his. (I know you can't see that...but trust me they are rolling as they often do when I take photos for my blog. Also, he was worried that I might displace his review mirror with my camera while posing. Safety first in the new car.) Thirdly, I wore some hurkin earrings which were not the best choice for a 60mph windyish evening. All night they were flapping and jingling about.
We traveled back to the town where we lived when we were first married (attended a graduation party). We saw old houses and old friends...all have changed and we were reminded how the years have changed us too. Several moments throughout the night made us feel older. Much older. Halfway through the party- we stole away to the movies. It was a lavish luxury- to sit through the entire movie without someone on your lap, or telling you that they had to go to the bathroom part way through the show.
I love my children. They bring so much fullness and sweetness to our lives (and popcorn kernels to our bed) but sheesh its great to get a way once and a bit. There is always a brief period of awkwardness when we find ourselves without those three little people. After a while we find that we start calling each other by our real names- not "Mom" or "Dad". The conversation gets easier and before you know it we are "us" again. It takes practice to be Man and Wife when the day to day grind keeps you in parent mode.
It's true, there are times when I wish for more romance. You know, the moments when you nervously wondered, "Is he going to kiss me? Is my breath okay? Will he call me tomorrow?" But I don't think that I would want to go back. So much better it is to have a comfortable companion, a trustworthy friend, someone who you can be your true self with. The newness has worn off...but that is how you know it is real. I am still in love, and the best part is that he still loves me back!