Husband and I went on a trip! Our first vacation, just the two of us, since welcoming our second child one year ago.
In the days leading up to the trip, we bickered. Our toddler, confused, watched as we trudged through logistics and apologized over silly disagreements. How does one explain to a three-year-old that her grownups are just a little toasty and burnt (out)?
After dropping off the girls at grandma and grandpa’s house, we headed north. Freeeeeeedom!
On the drive we blasted songs with cuss words and questionable lyrics. We ate spicy chips, downed chocolate donuts, and interrupted each other but did not get interrupted. We stopped at a cafe that sells lattes and vintage clothes. A fellow toddler mom was trying on a yellow dress; she looked amazing and I told her so. Another mom chimed in with a “yes you look so good” and tried on the dress too. Soon I was taking a turn. We left the cafe as a sisterhood of the yellow dress.
Husband and I continued the drive and arrived at our destination: Healdsburg, CA. After a stroll around the block, I took the longest and deepest nap I’ve taken in forever. Sorry I’m so boring and sleepy, I said. My husband reminded me, this is why we are here, to rest, relax, and do whatever the heck we want. I buried myself deeper under the sheets with a new book. He was right.
After dinner, we grabbed ice cream. Hey that’s Allie Sullberg’s, I said, pointing to the neighborhood smile exchange poster on the window. Many smiles were indeed exchanged as we took turns digging into each other’s scoops, mint chocolate for me, cornflake maple for him.
Before bed, we threw on Marcello Hernández’s Netflix comedy special while I collaged and Husband click-clacked away on his computer. I had to laugh quietly so the paper scraps wouldn’t go flying everywhere.
On the drive back home, we talked. What’s been hard for you lately in this season of parenting? What have you enjoyed? What do I appreciate about you? What do you appreciate about me? What’s your favorite thing about our girls? We brainstormed different arrangements, how about I do the pickups on Thursdays, how about you take a break on Fridays.
With the nonstop noise and labor of caregiving paused for a weekend, we could finally pay attention to each other. I remembered why I had fallen in love, why we are best friends, why we started a family.
We pulled into the driveway, ready to pour again.
Collages were made in Healdsburg with cardstock paper from Daiso, a Zebra Mildliner highlighter in Olive, LePen marker in Matcha, and a Tombow Dual Brush Pen in Chocolate.
On the trip, I started Shoko’s Smile by Choi Eunyoung. I am a few stories in and loving it so far.
I finished Don’t Call It Art by Austin Kleon in one sitting and have so many thoughts about it. For now, I will say - thank you Austin for writing a book that makes me look forward to a lifetime of playing with my kids.
Thank you for reading!
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