I should have known that I ought to ask for NYC ideas BEFORE leaving for the Big Apple. I read the comments given just after leaving Manhattan. Not great timing. I was so bummed to not have been able to do some of the suggestions.
Still Jon and I had a great time being together. I am a believer in alone trips. Jon and I have taken an alone trip between each child. It is a great way to reconnect and remember why you fell in love with this person you now know as "Mom" or "Dad." It takes more than a date night for me to get out of mom mode and remember I am a woman too. Alone trips do that for me. Plus they help me see Jonathan as himself too.
This is our second time doing NYC for our alone trip. Last time was definitely warmer. It was pretty bitter cold with the wind on Saturday. Friday was nice though. We most enjoyed our time at the Temple there in Manhattan. It was so lovely, so peaceful, and it really reminded me of how much I love being in the Temple.
We also enjoyed our hours roaming the Met. I love art. There are some paintings there that I really adore and it was great to revisit them. We also went to Spamalot. Hmmm. That was probably the biggest waste of time and money in a LONG time. I have never been able to stay awake through the Monty Python Movie and this play presented an equal challenge. Plus it was far too crude for my liking.
We had decent food but nothing as memorable as we had hoped. We did enjoy a little French cafe near time square for brunch. We also greatly enjoyed spending time with Jon's sister and her family. I got my newborn fix quenched with her little 3 week old Jackson. He was so yummy. I love brand newborn little lumps of love. Especially other peoples newborns that don't wake you up to eat every two hours. ;)
Also I did get an early birthday present from my sweetheart with the help of his amazing sister and her jewelry skills. I will do a post on it another day. Maybe on my birthday. :) It is lovely and intensely meaningful. Thank you all for planting the seeds of ideas in the fertile soil of his mind.
Overall, this was a trip that I didn't know I needed as badly as I did. It brought me out of my funk and renewed me. I was walking down Park Avenue to go meet Jon after his meeting and I thought, "This city is so full of LIFE."
There was a time when I lived that sort of independent life. I lived out East and traveled by foot or subway or cab through my years at law school. I have backpacked Europe and Mexico. All this I did as a single independent woman. This trip was a reminder to me of that woman. It was like taking a vacation to a former life. It was empowering. I am glad to be home with my family and very glad to live in a warmer, more settled atmosphere. But I am also grateful to remember my capabilities and strength as a woman.
14 comments:
Stephanie,
I know exactly what you mean. I feel that way whenever I revisit my old 'stomping grounds' in Washington, DC. Life is much different now, but sweeter. So glad you're renewed and had some alone time with Jon.
-Mary
It sounds like NY was exactly what you needed. I'm glad you were able to have that kind of opportunity. Man, I haven't had an alone trip with my husband in 4 years, and our last date night was over 6 months ago! It's something I sorely need.
I can't wait to hear what he got you for your early birthday presant!
It is so true that it takes being removed from your enviroment to 'remember' who you are as well as your husband. I'm glad you had a great time.
On our last "alone trip" we went to Charleston and Savannah. We had the best time ever, staying in quaint little bed-and-breakfasts and traipsing/shopping like crazy all over both cities.
All in all, it was a memorable and romantic trip...And it sounds like yours was the same. Glad you took the opportunity to have this kind of fun before the baby arrives!
=)
:)We treasure our 'alone time' because it is so rare, and it sounds like you really enjoyed every minute. Glad you got the opportunity to reconnect with an older part of your life, and glad you're back with family again.
What a wonderful trip. New York is such a lovely place to be, especially as a couple. I can't WAIT to hear about your birthday gift.
We, too, like many of you, are due for an "alone" trip. Our last one will be hard to beat... we spent two weeks in Uganda at a pediatric hospital where my hubby taught. Oh what a wonderful time.
Thanks for sharing Stephanie and also for the reminder that yes I am a chef, nanny, assistant principal, secretary, personal driver, laundry service, etc. but more importantly I am a woman and a wife!!!!!!!!!! : )
I travelled a lot (hubby still does) when I was heavily involved in a provincial/national volunteer organization that advocates with and on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities.
At first, I used to love it! What a great escape away from 4 youngsters! But ... ain't there always a but .. the thing is that these meetings were so busy that I rarely got to see anything new except the airport and the inside of the hotel! Even restuarant dining got to be a drag.
I think at this point, if my health were to allow it, I might enjoy the time away more. But, given my severe restrictions, I am fortunate to make it to the local mall less than 3 minutes away. I am pooped by the time I get there!
I can't imagine me in NYC though - to put things in perspective, I live on an island that has a land mass the approximate size of California -- however, much of the inland is total wilderness and our current population is just a squeak over 360,000 people.
I am thinking "culture shock".
Happy to hear you had a nice time, Stephanie. I imagine that you are very appreciative of the alone time with that fella with the cute butt :-)
love 'n hugs
kathryn_m
I'm glad your weekend getaway turned out to be a boost for you. I look forward to hearing about your birthday surprise. :-)
I'm so happy you had a great time, but bummed you didn't enjoy your show. I've heard people love or hate Spamalot. I haven't seen it myself but have also never been able to stay awake for Monty Python so I guess I'll skip this one.
I was thinking of you on Saturday as I went out for brunch to Alice's Teacup (a MUST do for your next trip.....your girls would love it, a DARLING little brunch restaurant for girls "age 8-80" as advertised. The decor is adorable and the prices are fair.) At any rate, I thought of you as I went outside and it was SO COLD. Luckily the sun was shining brightly. :)
I'm glad you had a good time and enjoyed yourself.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts, as I often think of what my future will be long when I'm married and settled down and wonder if I'll ever long for the days of single life in the city. I often think about coming back to the city with my kids and showing them "the life Mom once had."
Thanks for all your thoughts.
Welcome back. :) This post made me want to be married and travel with my hubby. :)
It sounds like you had a wonderful trip! I know getting away with just your husband is so renewing and refreshing. I'm glad you were able to get away and enjoy yourself. Christmas in New York is the best.
Hmm, you've got me thinking of how I can take an alone trip now!... :)
I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time.
p.s. Who watched your kids? That's always the kicker for me...
What a fun get-away! Sounds like a blast. I remember walking around DC with you! You are ONE BRAVE WOMAN. I was sure we were going to be mugged that time I walked home with you. :0)
Glad you guys had a great trip!
i'm glad it was such a fun trip. whit lived in manhattan through most of my years at the u and i loved visiting him there. it's definitely one of my favorite cities ever.
welcome home!
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