Mike and I always dreamed of being parents, and once our boys came along we devoted our lives to them because that’s what having a family meant to us. While other parents were out partying on the weekends and dumping their kids with babysitters, we were at home spending quality time with ours. We read to them, played catch outside, snuggled in bed on Saturday mornings, and whenever we could we planned little family vacations.
We never had the money to take expensive trips, but over many summers we took camping trips, rock hunting expeditions, visits to Niagara Falls to see the famous falls and Marineland, Sudbury to see the Big Nickel Mine and Science North, and Toronto to explore the Royal Ontario Museum and the Canadian National Exhibition. We even managed a great trip to Florida one year after Christmas, and two years ago we visited my parents where they were wintering in South Carolina. Each trip, whether large or small, created amazing memories for all of us that we will never forget.
However, the boys are pretty much grown now and are starting to build lives of there own, and as a result Mike and I are entering a new stage in our lives which leaves me with mixed feelings. The opportunity has arisen again for us to visit my parents in South Carolina over March Break, but Bryan is away at college and Daniel would much rather stay home and play video games because let’s face it, he’s a teenage boy. So, even though it won’t be the same without the whole family together for a vacation, I am really excited because this will be the first time that Mike and I have ever gone away by ourselves. It’s hard to believe really, but we will be making plans based on what we want to do and not what might be fun for the boys. I know I will worry like crazy while we are away because I am a mother, but I am also going to enjoy spending time alone with my best friend like we did when me met so many years ago. It has been a long time!!
Here is a photo I took in March, 2011 on the beach at Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Isn’t it beautiful there? Oh, I can hear the ocean calling already :).
photos from the loonybin 
Have a great first trip as an empty-nester!
Thank you so much – I will :).
That is a great photo. I especially like the way the son is reflecting the water bubbles along the beach….. you will love the new phase…. my biggest worry now is what the house will look like when we return…. Party Animals!
Thanks :). Luckily neither one of our boys is a party animal. My youngest, maybe, but he has seen too much craziness at other people’s houses, like kids puking all over the place, to ever have a party at our house. He says he’s saving his partying for college LOL!!
Our guys know the rules…. they clean up well! However, for our upcoming trip we will have someone staying at the house… mostly for the dog really but at least this way they will be able to control any attempts at nonsense!
Good plan :)!!
Don’t worry! I will take care of your baby! Have a great time, I am excited for you! xo
Awww, thank you daughter. I know you will :). I hear he’s coming home with you when your new puppy is arriving. That will be so exciting!!
dear Cindy, out of all the blogs you have written this one hits so close to home for me, for i remember when i went thru the same emotions. now it is even better as i am a grandmother and can’t wait for those special phone calls, NOT from my kids, but from my 7 and 5 yr. old boys!! You brought tears to my eyes when reading the one special sentence that has so much meaning and emotion… “I know I will worry like crazy while we are away because I am a mother, but I am also going to enjoy spending time alone with my best friend like we did when me met so many years ago.” Enjoy this new chapter and exciting journey in your life my dear friend ♥
Wow Irene, you brought tears to my eyes just reading your comment! I was very emotional writing this post, but I knew that my friends would understand what I am feeling because I know I’m not the only one to go through this. There are pros and cons to everything in life aren’t there? Thanks for being such a good friend :).
That is a beautiful scene. It is difficult as the kids get older. My oldest is just getting his university acceptance letters in and I’m dreading his leaving next fall.
Thanks Edith :). When our oldest left for college in September, I thought my heart was going to break, and I sobbed all the way home. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, leaving him in Kitchener all by himself. However, he was so ready for it, and after a few weeks I could see that he was safe and happy and absolutely thriving on the independence, and it slowly became easier for me. I still miss him every day of course, but I am handling it far better than I ever thought I would. All I can say is thank goodness for the phone and the internet because he is enjoying his independence so much that he doesn’t come home very often LOL!!
We still miss having the kids with us when we go off on a trip… and spend a lot of time and money phoning to tell them what they are missing… my kids are all grown up, married and have their own kids.. but we still miss the together outings…
Yes, I think I will always miss my kids being on trips with us too, no matter how old they get. I guess that’s a sign of a good relationship right?
I think it is.. my kids are now my friends and we do things as friends…
I love that :). That seems to be how it is becoming with us too!
Enjoy yourselves – I know exactly what you are talking about, but a pesky lawsuit is keeping us from enjoying any vacations–but there is always the future –go and have a good time and bring back pics
I sure hope that you get that pesky lawsuit settled soon so that you can enjoy some vacations with your honey too!! We really do deserve it after all the years devoted to our children don’t we?
I think so – I have not been on vacation for years–though I have visited my sis in Ottawa a couple of times and she spoils me to pieces–so I have had a getaway
Anywhere where you can be spoiled sounds like a perfect vacation to me. It doesn’t matter if it’s not that far away or not exotic :).
you are so right – she takes me to lunch, fixes wonderful meals, and treats me to all manner of things–and to think we fought like cats and dogs when we were little–now we are the best of friends
You’re lucky – I have no relationship with my sister, but at least it is peaceful LOL!!
Great shot. and good for you! This is your reward for being such great parents.
Awww, thanks :). That really means a lot to me TBM!!
Maybe you can convince your parents to spend a winter in Texas, and then you can come in March or April to visit them and see our many wildflowers.
Now that sounds like a fantastic idea!! I have never been to Texas before :). I am hoping to do more travelling in the next few years, so maybe that will have to be one of our trips!
You will have so much to blog about! And if you are footloose and want to explore more, think about heading my way too. Wouldn’t it be fun to actually meet?
Isn’t that funny – the first thing my hubby asked when we finally decided to go was “where does Dor live? Will we be driving through her area?” What part of Virginia are you actually in?
Oh wonderful!! Sounds (&looks) like it will be a great holiday!!! Have fun planning ‘your’ trip!!! 🙂 **
Thanks Xandre :). It hasn’t been very warm down there unfortunately, but after another big snowstorm here today and having to dig out to get to work, anything has to be better than this LOL!! It will be a treat not to have to wear boots, gloves, and hats :).
Second that!!! I’ve only been here for two months and I am SO OVER the snow and cold….. Tough times ahead!!! 😉 **
Good think it hasn’t been that bad of a winter there this year eh? LOL!!
What a fabulous photo!
We never use babysitters either – kids grow up far too quickly as it is.
Exactly :). In the blink of an eye!
Great photo, and yes its time for you to spend some time on yourselves!!
Thank you :). You know, I think back now on the crazy busy years when the kids were little, when I never sat down until about 9 or 10 at night, and I don’t know how I did it LOL! So, it is nice for my hubby and I to be able to do something for ourselves again, but I will miss my babies :).