Each day I am gone, the kids will get a bag to open, with a small toy and a love note from their Mommy.
One day last week, during an especially hard moment when Riley had been melting and Todd and I had been short with each other, I turned to him and seethed, “I can’t wait to get on that plane.”
Two days later we stood in the dark, in the kitchen, slow dancing to the love song station on XM radio. He is the one who always switches it from my beloved Oprah to love songs. The children had turned off all the lights in the house and were running around with flashlights. Moonlight came in from the window. As we did the white guy Jr. High dance sway, I put my head on his shoulder and my throat tightened,
“How am I going to see the most beautiful sunset, and not turn to you…to see you see it too?”
“I’ll be with you,” he whispered, as his lips pressed the top of my head. “You’ll tell me what it looked like.”
Today I’m in denial I’m even going. Todd will print off the forms I need. Make sure my papers are in order. He takes care of things.
He will take care of our babies.
He will make them breakfast, lunch, dinner. Get their supplements ready. Take Riley to cello. Take them both to dance class. He’ll man up for clay class. He’ll do laundry. He’ll make tacos. He’ll tuck them into bed. He’ll rub essential oils into their feet at night, not because he believes it helps, but because I do.
He will help Riley with her math. He will sit on the floor in Seth’s room to play Lego Space Police, because it is important to our boy.
He will tell me everything is great when I call, even if it isn’t, so I won’t worry.
In three days, he will drive me to the airport, tell me I’m a good mom, and put me on a plane.
He will be there waiting for me when I get back.
He will be the love of my life,
forever.
Oh the double edge sword! To be away but not to be parted.
We had four nights away when we went to my best friends wedding and it nearly killed me not seeing the girls even when I was having such a great time. Only way I managed it was to make sure we had an amazing time so it was worth the separation anxiety.
Yes.
*happy sigh*
🙂
Can’t talk now, gotta go bawl my eyes out.
HT and Nah are cut from the same cloth.
We’re blessed.
How lucky you are!!
Fully blessed!
I hope you have a most wonderful trip, my friend.
P.S. I think I’m going to start rubbing essential oils on my own feet! Sounds lovely!
so adorably sweet!
I have a friend who is hooked on essential oils, they sure can smell good!
Love the image of the dark house with the running flashlights and the moonlight and the dancing. You are such a good writer…
People are staring at me.
I’m in a coffee shop, crying like a baby.
All blessings to you and HT and Riley and Seth.
What an amazing team you are!
I can’t wait to hear what your trip is like. I love that HT is giving you this gift of knowing that things will be fine while you’re away and I hope that you can give yourself the gift of trusting that and letting yourself become immersed in yourself while you’re away.
Love.
I want one.
I agree with Kario, 100%. You need to go, and be Michelle, and relax, and not worry one minute about Riley, Seth, Todd or Jingle. Have fun. Take up the whole bed, throw the towels on the floor. Watch crappy TV. Get away. You deserve it. Listen to what God is telling you when you have no home distractions. Hope where you are going is warm and wonderful, with lots of sunshine.
sweet, my friend. he is indeed the one to honor and cherish. as you have done here. love.
Have a great trip! Everyone will be fine. And HT is the love of my life, too.
what a beautiful tribute to a wonderful partner. enjoy the trip.