Time Off: For those of you unfamiliar with this concept, allow me to give you the definition as put together by yours truly:

Noun 1. Time Off – A series of uninterrupted hours during which you relax, read, go for a run, work out, see a friend, sleep or skip trough a field of daisies, if that’s what does it for you.  More importantly, you do all this, without considering anyone else’s desires, hunger levels, need to be at play dates, feelings of “Why are you leaving me?”, or for your sons’ needs to take them for a walk around the block in their wagon in 100+ degree weather, some time around mid-day.

Photo by: David Beeler

This was me.  Last weekend.  Having Time Off.  With The Hubster (who took the pic).  And it was HEAVENLY.

As you may have read, we celebrated our 9th Anniversary on Friday the 20th.  The day itself, we spent at the beach (how appropriate, given that is where we got married), running back and forth into the waves that were waaayyyy too cold as per Kai’s request.  The kid was unstoppable, except for a snack.

For a short amount of time, Ryder was happily occupied burying his own feet, only to wiggle his toes and exclaim “There they are!!”

For the rest of the time, he too demanded to be taken into the water.  The fact that it made him shiver and shake (yes, that water is cold) didn’t bother him.  Water is exciting and when it’s available, we go in.  Or at least, that’s his philosophy around larger bodies of water.  (He won’t set foot in the kiddie pool.)  Strange boy.

At the end of the morning, Papa and Kai had built a castle, desperately trying to keep the Force of Nature called “Ryder” from destroying it.

And a good time was had by all.

And then came the weekend.  And with the weekend came: time off, for David and me.  Not just “time off”… A 24-hour date (!!), no kids, just him and me.  NICE.  Our friend Stacey looked after the boys – an experience that taught her that 2 children really is enough.  No need for 3.  And while she wore them out with water play and mud soccer in the back yard, took them to a birthday party and assumed full responsibility for them for 24 hours, David and I relaxed at the house of David’s uncle who had given us the keys for the weekend while he was out.  Thank you Stacey & Uncle Bruce!

It didn’t take us long to get in relaxation mode.  We lay by the pool, swam, snacked, had a cocktail, picked up some sushi, went to see a movie, went out for dessert, slept in, had breakfast and lay out by the pool again.  There was nothing we “had to” do – we only did things we wanted to do.  No responsibilities, no requirements, just us and 24 hours.  Heaven!  I love my kids with all of my heart and love spending time with them and a 24-hour re-charge like this, is sometimes exactly what I need.  We returned refreshed, re-energized (although my energy levels would be even better if we were talking, let’s say… 7-10 days) and ready to return to satisfying hungry tummies, to playing Mommy-the-Chauffeur, and to mid-day wagon-pulling adventures.

So, our next anniversary is…in 355 days.  Is it too early to start planning?

Until next time,

Savor food, savor family, savor life.
- Marieke, aka HRH Mommy

Share Your Thoughts:

Have you ever done the 24-hour date?  Is it a regular thing, or more of an exception?  Where did you go?  What did you do?

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