Monday, September 14, 2009

Bonjour!


Bonjour! There you have it. The extent to which I know the French language. How far do you think this will get me? Probably not any further than a few people rolling their eyes or maybe if I am lucky a reluctant smile.

It is 5 am and I cannot sleep. My husband is taking me to France today....Paris to be exact. I laugh as though words roll off my finger tips. It seems like a dream, a fantasy. Something that though the bags are packed, the tickets bought, the grandparents in position for babysitting, that I still do not believe. To fully grasp the ridiculousness of this, you should know that I have never been anywhere like this before. I only recently went to New York City for the first time as a 30 year old woman. I was a fish out of water and certainly the same will hold true for this experience. Only now, I do not speak the language...not that I really spoke the language of the New Yorkers.

I slipped on over to the world of chatting at the sky this morning and she got me thinking. My new normal has been normal for 7 years now. My "fuzzy remember whens" are time alone with my husband. It doesn't happen often with three kids around the house and we both like it that way. They are our normal, and that is as it should be. But those "remember whens" were sweet times too, and I am having to tell myself over and over again that it is okay to be leaving. It is okay to be taking a vacation with just my husband that does not involve 6 days of pre-packing for 5 people and a dog. It is okay to remember when, to spend time alone, to jump back in time and pretend it is just the two of us for a few days. The icing on the cake is that we get to do it strolling the streets in Paris.

So now that I have convinced myself of this, I intend to continue pretending until I return home. I intend on pretending that I am much more fashionable than I really am, and wear clothes that I would never wear while in the United States. I intend on wearing my lipstick a little brighter. I plan on eating meals intended for people much classier than me. My idea of sophisticated food is buying the Hebrew National hot dogs rather than the Ballpark; seriously, I do not do fancy food...but on this occasion I will pretend. I intend on walking through museums and pretending that I know the artists whose work is hanging on the wall. I intend on getting dressed up and having dinner on the champs de elysees and pretending as if I know what that is. My sister the photographer will be there too, and I intend on treating her like my own paparazzi.

So until I return, how about leaving me a comment that will make me feel better about abandoning my children, but more importantly, bless me by hearing your story of romance away from the kids. I am desperate for someone to relate!




Amy

12 comments:

Thena said...

Have a great time in Paris. I myself have never been but my daughters brother-in-law, and sister in law went last year. http://christyhulsey.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/how-to-make-home-exchange-guests-feel-welcome/

southerninspiration said...

Oh, have a fabulous time......I hope to go in the next couple of years...hubby has gone and wants to take me there, but we may have to get some kids thru college first!!! ;) enjoy every fabulous moment!! Visiting over from Emily's; enjoyed my peek in on your exciting day!

suzanne

Anonymous said...

I'm jealous! Every year in about March my hubby and I take a weekend away from our kids-- never anywhere like Paris, just somewhere close-- and it is always one of the highlights of my year. You just need that time to reconnect and be together. It's good. And your kids will love and appreciate you more after a few days without you. And you'll feel the same way about them. ;)

ntignor said...

You know I hope you have a great time and I'm sure you will. You are going with the craziest guy I know and another favorite couple of mine. Your children will be fine, grandparents seem to watch them a little more closely than parents. We're a little crazy like that. Ha! When I start getting the pictures I'll be even more excited for you. Have a wonderful time and keep that carpenter in line. Love you all so much!!!!

Kelli said...

Oh, I am so happy for you! Go and enjoy. Focus on your marriage and strengthening your relationship with your hubby!! Your children will be fine!!!

Dawn said...

for the past several summers, my kids have spent about 5 weeks with their grandparents... travelling or just visiting. it is so good for them... and it is so good for my hubby & me, too. just like we need to rejuvenate to be a good mom, we need to do the same to be a good wife. enjoy every minute of your trip...

sassy seamstress said...

you will have a blast...your kids will be fine...and i've never taken a trip like you're taking with your husband. so you'll have to let me know what that's like.

Richella Parham said...

Oh, what a joyous sentence to read: "My husband is taking me to Paris today." What a blessing! How wonderful for you to have time away together, time to explore this beautiful city, time to enjoy one another's company in one of the most romantic cities on earth. And you will have time to miss your children, and that will be a blessing, too. They will be fine with their grandparents, of course. But after these years of spending so much energy invested in them, you'll have a bit of time investing in you and your marriage--and you'll come back glad to see them and ready for your day-to-day life again. Bon voyage!

emily freeman said...

Love this, Amy! I can't wait to hear about it when you get back...be sure to get lots of photos with your French wardrobe and bright lipstick on :)

Sharone said...

Oh, your trip sounds fabulous! I hope you enjoy every second. :)

Anonymous said...

how wonderful! i too have not ventured out without the kids but i do think that it is a great idea! we are suppose to have time alone with our husbands to keep a strong connection! maybe thats why so many fail! so good for you!

Kristen said...

My DH & I took a late honeymoon to Belize this spring, and left our darling little just turned two year old with my parents for 8 days/9 nights. I cried when I thought of him, and we only phoned home three times! But what an amazing time we had, time when we didnt have to be Mom & Dad, but could be friends and lovers. Our 7 yr anniversary is this weekend, and this was our best/longest trip. Enjoy your time with your DH. It is INVALUABLE. Your children are fine, with people who love them. It will be OK!

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