Thursday, July 15, 2010

Letter from Maui


Dear Em,

I know my post for today was supposed to be some recipes, but I didn't get it written before getting on the plane, and now, it just doesn't feel timely or authentic.

I'd rather talk about where I am, what I'm doing, what I'm feeling RIGHT NOW.

I'd rather talk about how refreshing it is to be on an extended date with my husband. Lying on the beach, listening to the undulating tide, watching sand crabs, and talking about how many children we want to have. I'd rather write about the magic of swimming with sea turtles and kissing awkwardly with our snorkel masks on. I'd rather talk about walking along the beach at dusk, and looking back at our pair of footprints, and thinking of how lucky I am that those footprints will go on for eternity. Or how fun and teenager-ish it feels to have my darling grab my hand as we walk from car to hotel, from shop to shop, from the ocean to the pool...everywhere we go. (We haven't held hands this much since high school!)

And when I told this all to our dear friends who read Bloom, I would say--do it! I know everyone isn't so lucky to have a husband who happens to have business at the Grand Wailea or family who can watch their children for a whole week! But everyone can find a way to get away for a day or two. And it's amazing. It reminds you how much you love each other. It gives you opportunities to talk over dinner (instead of wiping up messes and negotiating with children about how many more bites they have to take!). It provides quiet, uninterupted moments for intimacy. After a few weeks of business trips and tons of work and barely seeing eachother, it has given me time to look at my husband and think--gosh, he is a handsome devil.

Of course, every small child we saw in the airport made us swoon, and seeing kids on the beach makes us dream of the day we can afford to bring the whole family on a trip like this. Over our curry dinner last night we talked mostly about our boys. They are never far from our thoughts. But, in the mean time, we are reveling in every breath of this trip. The plumeria trees, the breeze, the drinks by the pool, the laughter, and the (nearly) complete lack of stress or responsibility. And, even though we miss our children, we know we will return refreshed and refueled--full of patience and love and ready to be a better (and hopefully tanner) version of Mom and Dad.

I think everyone needs a getaway like this from time to time. Don't you? Anyway, that's what I'd rather write about today.

See you soon.
Love,
Anne

13 comments:

Alicia said...

Good for you, Anne! I hope you guys have an awesome time. Don't get stung by a jellyfish, though. That almost ruined one of your beach trips before!

No Big Dill said...

That alone time is so important to keeping a healthy marriage and makes you better parents in turn. Glad you've had this opportunity.

Heather said...

How awesome!! You make me want to jump on a plane to Hawaii RIGHT NOW! But I'll have to wait until May :) I completely agree, sneaking away for some re-energizing and reconnecting time is a must. You wrote this beautifully, I feel like I am right there on the beach ;) Have a wonderful time!

Memory said...

we just did that in February and it was AWESOME! It is so important for us to spend time together to remember why we deal with all the mess life hands us in the first place. Have a great time!

The redhead said...

Dang. I really want to do this. Maybe when my baby isn't nursing anymore...

Rachael said...

We swap kids with our best friends so that each couple can have an overnight getaway every so often. Our first one since the last baby was born is coming up in a couple of months (he'll be fourteen months old then, so I sincerely hope he is okay with being weaned sometime very soon...) and I am SOOO looking forward to it. Somehow with that third baby the vast majority of our date nights have melted away...

Melissa said...

How fun! So happy for your being able to get away. We don't have family, but I think our kids are old enough to do without us for a few days. I should get to work planning that!

Joan said...

Could not be craving husband time more than right now. With two teenagers in my home I have found that one on one time with my honey is becoming a rare treat. I have no idea how I will do this when the teenagers are our own not my little brother and sister staying for a month. Life gets SO crazy when you have young children and teenagers.
Soak up that darling husband of yours. What a marvelous birthday present for Tay!? Maui? YES PLEASE!

muralimanohar said...

Of course, you could always move here, like me. :p

I agree, though...I frequently just stop and stare, and marvel at the incredible beauty I am seeing, or the amazing experience I am experiencing..I can't even believe it's real, and I've lived here a very large chunk of my life!! :D I don't get much "honeymoon" kind of time, though...since this is our home. Boo. :p

Heather said...

I will totally agree, everyone needs some "Maui" time when kids are safely being watched by friends or grandparents. I am enjoying my "Texas" time with my husband while he is working. I didn't know how much I needed this until things seemed to fall apart. I now know how important it really is, no matter the price. Thanks for this wonderful post!

Anonymous said...

SO fun! Jeff and I went to Hawaii as a graduation present when he finished school. You're right, it is so refreshing to be alone and just enjoy each other's company for a week. Although, I do have to tell you that you don't come back more patient...at least I didn't. I'm still working on that one! :) Have fun!

Deanna said...

So true! Not just regular date nights but, overnight weekend trips w/o kids is SO imp for your marital relationship.

Anonymous said...

We did this same trip last year...it is so energizing to be fully present for each other. Thanks for the reminder of how great it is!
krista