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A Moment Away

Chris and I ran away. It wasn’t a permanent choice, just a weekend adventure. We enjoyed every minute of it. I worried about the kids and called home and sent text messages to check vital signs. However, there was something strange and wonderful about not having kids for a few days. It was like I had been carrying a 30 lb bag and a 40 lb bag and I got to take them off for a few days. I felt a little lighter. The back seat seemed a little empty and quiet. Doing things seemed a little easier. For example, getting in and out of the car was just that: getting in and out of the car. It wasn’t: pick up the child, put him in his car seat, make first attempt to buckle his seatbelt, push his squirmy self back into seat, succeed at second attempt to buckle his seatbelt with one hand while firmly holding child with second, hand him a sippy cup with water, give him a toy car to play with, confirm that the older child was not trying to drive the car but was in his own seat, remind three times to put on belt, physically help older child to put on his belt, give him his sippy cup and toy car, and then get into my own seat, attach seatbelt, and start the car. We went to a friend’s house for dinner while on our trip. Our friend has three kids and another friend that joined us has two. Chris and I sat idly at the dinner table, watching our friends prepare two or three plates before filling their own. We felt strangely out of place, feeling like there was something we were supposed to be doing as well and yet the obligation wasn’t there. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids and wouldn’t trade the opportunity to care for them for anything in the world. However, there is nothing like a little break to help you love them more, and more importantly, to be a reminder that you and your husband are still young adults who are very much in love and like to have fun.

Back in May I bought tickets to the U2 concert in Charlottesville, Virginia on Oct. 1st. One of Chris’s friends and former coworkers happened to plan his wedding for the same weekend, so it worked out nicely that we could go. As most of our events did not involve taking little boys, we decided that we should leave them in Charlotte. After weeks of stressing about babysitting situations, we finally figured out a situation that made sense. We drove to Charlottesville on the day of the concert, stopping in Stanardsville to check into our cabin. Because of the concert, hotels in the area were non-existent and extremely expensive; craigslist saved the day yet again and I found this darling place at a very reasonable price. It was perfect and we loved our stay.




The concert was spectacular. It was at the Scott Stadium, UVa’s football stadium. We sat on the lawn across from the stage. The Muse opened with a great show and U2 was amazing, of course.




We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with friends and enjoying our visit with them. The wedding was beautiful; it took place at a vineyard, so lovely! And then we went back home…

Comments

Sara said…
What a nice getaway for you and Chris, I bet it was nice to have Mom in town. The concert sounds fabulous! My Mom saw your Mom in Salt Lake and had a nice chat. Thanks for sharing your weekend away!
October 21, 2009 at 6:52 AM
Maile said…
I'm so glad you did this! And I LOVE your description of getting in and out of the car with kids. It's always so nice to go out on errands by myself just to enjoy that straightforward ease of getting in and out of the car alone.
October 21, 2009 at 6:12 PM
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