This week is my husband’s birthday. He takes such good care of me and our family – cooking, cleaning, keeping the wood stove going through the winter, grocery shopping, making sure the boys get to their activities and appointments.
I’ve been wanting a weekend getaway for months. I can’t remember the last time he and I had a weekend away, together. We’ve had the odd date night, usually for an anniversary or birthday. In over twenty years since we became parents, we have maybe had the equivalent of a few days together, grabbed in quick moments here and there.
Part of the challenge is having a full schedule. With events on the calendar for one or the other or both of us, planning a getaway means scheduling it in. That can make surprises difficult. When I found a weekend that was open, I told him to book it off. For me.
Once I had a date, then I had to figure out what to do. As I mentioned, I wanted to get away. I wanted to go somewhere that felt far away. However, I didn’t really want to leave Vancouver Island (ferries are expensive!). Wherever we went, I also knew it had to have a hot tub.
I searched on Airbnb, and settled on a cabin in Ucluelet, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The hardest part was waiting for the weekend to come! I managed to keep the details a secret from my husband right up until the last minute.
We had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. Relaxing in the hot tub, and then in front of the fireplace, in a secluded cabin, away from the pull of responsibility. We slept in, had a late brunch, went to a local craft fair, explored the coast and trails, and watched the sun set over the ocean.
We both needed this weekend. It was refreshing to disconnect, to spend time in nature, to connect with each other, to relax. It was a gift for my husband, and it was also a gift for me. I’d like to say I learned my lesson from this experience, and that I’ll plan to do this more often. Finances are an issue, though. So I’ll do my best to schedule recharge time in when I can, and snatch the moments to reconnect with my husband whenever I’m able.
Blessings,
Mary