MacKay and I had dinner the other night by ourselves. It was our first date night that we’ve had in months. It was so nice to sit with him and have one-on-one adult conversation without the interruption of one of the kids screaming or needing our attention to get them something. It was relaxing, a word that I haven’t said in a while and don’t throw around lightly.
While our conversation went so many ways that night, of course the kids were involved in most of it. We both mentioned how strange it feels to be in this new chapter in our lives – the one that doesn’t involve babies, but kids who are a little bit more self-sufficient. We spoke about how our vacation to Hilton Head this year was the first year that it really felt like a vacation for all five of us, not just the kids.
MacKay also mentioned the noticeable difference in taking care of the kids while I was away for the Cetaphil event last week. While I was gone, he filled the days with trips to the museum, restaurants, the movie theatre, and even a baseball game. Mind you, I was only gone for three days, but he made sure to fill them to the brim with fun and excitement. While he admitted that it wasn’t perfect, having all three kids at these various daily adventures were far more manageable than they were this time last year. And they are.
But his most striking comment of the evening was the one that really had nothing to do with the kids, it was about us. He mentioned how excited he was for us to take time for us again. Just the date night in itself was one step in the right direction. And one we haven’t taken in a while. We’re on the way to having more time for ourselves, both as a couple, and individually.
In less than a month, I’ll have the most free time I’ve had in seven years. With all three kids in school for some point during the day, it leaves me more time to do something that I don’t do often; take care of me. While I’ll be sad that there is one chapter in my life ending, I’m more excited for the one that’s ahead.
A couple of weeks ago I got a taste of some time alone and I am happy to admit that it was one of the best trips I’ve had in a while. While away in Los Angeles, I was so honored to host an event with my friend Charlie from How to Be a Dad, on behalf of Cetaphil. We welcomed some of our favorites in the blogging world to Au Fudge where we spoke candidly about how Cetaphil has played a role in our lives. (You can check out the Facebook Live on Cetaphil’s Facebook Page.)
Not only did I speak about how it’s been helpful with the kids’ dry skin, but also how it’s helped me throughout the years. I’ve used it since high school and now that their line has expanded even more, it fits into my lifestyle as a mom. What I love about the product is that it can fit in every stage of your life, no matter who or where you are. And now that I have more time for me, I can actually take care of my skin that seems to be changing all the time (although I still have a soft spot for Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths which are perfect for those nights that you have zero energy to wash your face).
The event was more than just conversation about our skin, it was a time to connect with those that I admire in my industry while actually enjoying some adult conversation that didn’t involve how to get our kids to use the potty or sleep through the night. We sipped on sangria and tasted passed hors d’oeuvres that we could actually eat hot.
I ended the trip with a day spent working poolside. I didn’t care how heavy my workload was because I could enjoy it all with a spectacular view and without a worry in the world. I was taking care of me.
It’s interesting as I walk into this new phase of life of my children being taken care of at school and no babies at home. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I’m going to miss it. But I’d also be lying if I told you that I wasn’t looking forward to it. I look at this new stage with optimism because for the first time in nearly seven years, our heads feel like they are just above the water.
