Old Kid Revelation: Travel Companions

It’s hard not to have a clear head here.

A funny thing happened last week. The Husband and I went on a dreamy vacation to Florida’s Singer Island. We relaxed with my sister and her friend. We had adult conversations. We worked out every morning at our leisure. It was lovely, except for one glaring surprise. I missed my kids. Like, a lot.

Let’s be clear, I always miss my kids a little when I’m away, but if I’m being really honest, I usually cherish time alone in a hotel room somewhere far away. Last year, when The Husband and I took this same trip, for the first time alone in 12 years, I ate up every second of it and did not wish for any of those seconds that our children were sharing it with us. This year? Totally different. I had fun of course, but I spent nearly the whole time thinking how great it would be if my kids were sharing it with me.

So weird for me but a total testament to where we are in our lives. No one needs a diaper changed anymore. No one will melt down during cocktail hour. No one is getting sand in my boobs when they reach for me on the beach. (No kids anyway.) Instead, these small people that share our house aren’t needy anymore, but rather, a lot of fun.

They would have loved the soccer goals set up on the green space right next to the pool. They would have risen early every day to see the schedule of crafts and games for their taking. They would have squealed with delight over not one, but two nights of s’mores around the fire pit. I facetimed them daily and gave them a tour of the grounds every time. We all agreed if they were with us, we would have laughed, and splashed and had a grand old time, because they are fun and funny and pretty great travel companions in the end.

Heck Yeah.

So, in what The Husband has deemed “The Summer of Cristie” because it’s the last one I’ll ever have with only a mildly full plate, I will use my time to incorporate as much travel with these little people as possible. We’re road trippin’ as much as we can in the next few months because we love it and we’re good at it and these days won’t last forever. So, we’re hittin’ the road-mom and kid style.

And I can’t wait.