A Chance To Be Kids - Without Kids

I haven't had a lot of time to myself lately. With Rex in Germany for two weeks, and subsequent 14 hour work days, I haven't had a ton of time with him either. Lack of sleep and time together is a recipe of disaster in our house. (Giving up Diet Coke has not helped matters much.) Good thing I have a great support system in place.

On Friday a friend called and said she'd be in town for a work function. Her daughter would be away at Girl Scout Camp, so she'd only have her son. "Do you want to get together for dinner?" she suggested.

"I have a better idea," I chimed in. "Since you'll have two extra spaces in your back seat, how about we meet for lunch and then you take my children home for a sleepover?" After a quick check-in with her husband, she agreed enthusiastically - the idea being I would take her kids a different weekend.

I can't tell you how amazing having even 20 hours alone has been. Rex and I went to dinner, slept in, took a long walk around our neighborhood and even, uggggg, discussed the ongoing budget issues. We did a lot of hand holding, a lot of talking, and, God forbid, laughing.

I adore my children. I'd have another if I could. But I also cherish my marriage. It's not perfect, but it's an incredible source of stability and safety. With some time alone, we realized we also need to work the fun factor. Our goal? Every Saturday night together - even if it means babysitting trades and going for walks to Target. It doesn't have to be fancy - but it has to be together.

A few nights ago, as we sat at the dinner table with yet another boring meal of burgers and veggies, Rex looked at me and said, "I love how you're wearing tank tops these days. It's fun looking at the 'girls' all perky and high."

He then proceeded to take a pea and lobby it toward my chest. I'll be damned if he didn't make a perfect basket, lobbying that round green ball into a 36DD center shot. I shrieked - not only because it was funny and so uncharacteristic of Rex - but it was damn cold.

I'm not saying "boob basketball" is the only way to get some much needed chuckles back into our routine, but it's a start.

What about you? If you have kids, do you find getting away from the strain of diapering, "stop it's!" and Elmo soundtracks has helped your marriage? If you don't have a lot of extras for babysitting, are you willing to set up a trade? What are you doing just for you and your spouse?

* Photo from Allposters.com

Posted by Andrea Frazer


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