Jordan and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary recently and were lucky enough to know someone who was willing to put her life on the line in order to babysit for us while we spent the day together. My friend is a loving, courageous woman whom the boys all adore, but she will probably need counseling after a full day spent with my little angels. In fact, when we arrived to pick them up that afternoon, she was a shell of the woman we had left behind earlier that morning. I pray for her full and speedy recovery and hope that she will someday be able to see my children without a full body shudder and hasty backward steps to keep out of range. Time will tell.
I can't remember the last time that I was able to leave the kids behind in order to spend time with my husband. I reminded Jordan that the only time I've ever been away from the kids for more than a few hours at a time, was when I went to the hospital to have another one. He looked at me in horror and pity, then announced that I needed to get out more. Believe you me, mister, you aren't telling me anything I don't already know.
It felt surreal as we drove away from the house at 7-am without the little cherubs chirping in the back seat, and I was filled with excitement at the thought of being able to actually go INTO the gas station. Jordan encouraged me to take my time since we were ahead of schedule for the septic inspection (Aren't we the pair of romantics? We also scheduled a meeting with the lender and made a trip to the bank for copies of statements. It was heavenly.), and I skipped across the asphalt in downright giddiness. I didn't necessarily want or need anything, but that didn't curb my desire to browse. Imagine my pleasure when I realized that they were still selling Snickers! I bought one out of a sense of nostalgia, earning another look from my husband. He was certain I'd reached the point he'd been dreading for awhile now and steps would need to be taken to put me into some kind of long term care facility. In the meantime, I was treated like a queen. A fragile, slightly batty and eccentric queen, but royalty none the less. He took me to a bookstore, to which I reacted with childlike wonder. Imagine being able to read again! I hope I remember how when the time comes. They say it's just like riding a bike however, and that once you do it you'll always know how. Hmmm. I wonder if I can still ride a bike...
We had lunch together. Such a simple statement, but so powerful in the meaning. What it means to us is that we were able to eat while the food was hot. We didn't have to cut up or remove undesirable parts of anyone's food but our own. We conversed in full sentences without raising our voices to be heard over the din of small people banging spoons against the table. No one complained that their ketchup was too red or their noodles too short. At the end of the meal, we weren't required to spend 2 minutes under the table picking up stray bits of food, the baby's sippy cup and a most beloved pet rock. For the first time in a long time, I was able to hold my head high as we walked out of a restaurant, and not scurry out the door quickly, leaving a rather large tip for the unfortunate individual having to clean up after our pack of wild hyenas.
We saw a movie that was not animated and I didn't have to share my popcorn and coke during it. I was able to eat my candy out in the open, instead of surreptitiously dipping my head into my purse during all the action parts when everyone's attention is on the screen.
I wasn't ready for the fun to end, but I was most definitely missing the boys, so we headed home. I have to admit though, I was exhausted from the thrill of being alone with the love of my life. My heart can only pitter patter so much before I need a healthy dose of reality. I think dating is like a muscle, and if you don't use it, it atrophies. Which means that I am dreadfully out of shape and could probably use the practice of a nice second date, but I also like my friends sane and not drooling.
Jordan won bonus level extra credit points on the way home when he melted my heart with the comment "Even though we don't get to go out like this very often, I have fun with you every day.". I suppose that could be one of the best compliments of my life, that even in the midst of the mundane day to day routine called life, I am enjoyable to be around. Either that or he's trying to lull me into signing papers that admit me somewhere nice and quiet.
I can't remember the last time that I was able to leave the kids behind in order to spend time with my husband. I reminded Jordan that the only time I've ever been away from the kids for more than a few hours at a time, was when I went to the hospital to have another one. He looked at me in horror and pity, then announced that I needed to get out more. Believe you me, mister, you aren't telling me anything I don't already know.
It felt surreal as we drove away from the house at 7-am without the little cherubs chirping in the back seat, and I was filled with excitement at the thought of being able to actually go INTO the gas station. Jordan encouraged me to take my time since we were ahead of schedule for the septic inspection (Aren't we the pair of romantics? We also scheduled a meeting with the lender and made a trip to the bank for copies of statements. It was heavenly.), and I skipped across the asphalt in downright giddiness. I didn't necessarily want or need anything, but that didn't curb my desire to browse. Imagine my pleasure when I realized that they were still selling Snickers! I bought one out of a sense of nostalgia, earning another look from my husband. He was certain I'd reached the point he'd been dreading for awhile now and steps would need to be taken to put me into some kind of long term care facility. In the meantime, I was treated like a queen. A fragile, slightly batty and eccentric queen, but royalty none the less. He took me to a bookstore, to which I reacted with childlike wonder. Imagine being able to read again! I hope I remember how when the time comes. They say it's just like riding a bike however, and that once you do it you'll always know how. Hmmm. I wonder if I can still ride a bike...
We had lunch together. Such a simple statement, but so powerful in the meaning. What it means to us is that we were able to eat while the food was hot. We didn't have to cut up or remove undesirable parts of anyone's food but our own. We conversed in full sentences without raising our voices to be heard over the din of small people banging spoons against the table. No one complained that their ketchup was too red or their noodles too short. At the end of the meal, we weren't required to spend 2 minutes under the table picking up stray bits of food, the baby's sippy cup and a most beloved pet rock. For the first time in a long time, I was able to hold my head high as we walked out of a restaurant, and not scurry out the door quickly, leaving a rather large tip for the unfortunate individual having to clean up after our pack of wild hyenas.
We saw a movie that was not animated and I didn't have to share my popcorn and coke during it. I was able to eat my candy out in the open, instead of surreptitiously dipping my head into my purse during all the action parts when everyone's attention is on the screen.
I wasn't ready for the fun to end, but I was most definitely missing the boys, so we headed home. I have to admit though, I was exhausted from the thrill of being alone with the love of my life. My heart can only pitter patter so much before I need a healthy dose of reality. I think dating is like a muscle, and if you don't use it, it atrophies. Which means that I am dreadfully out of shape and could probably use the practice of a nice second date, but I also like my friends sane and not drooling.
Jordan won bonus level extra credit points on the way home when he melted my heart with the comment "Even though we don't get to go out like this very often, I have fun with you every day.". I suppose that could be one of the best compliments of my life, that even in the midst of the mundane day to day routine called life, I am enjoyable to be around. Either that or he's trying to lull me into signing papers that admit me somewhere nice and quiet.
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