Happiness is a Weekend Getaway in Maine

Mark and I have recently celebrated being married for 15 years. Sure, my parents just celebrated 41 years, but in our generation it seems that 15 years is, well, a long time. A celebration was certainly in order. 

So, Mark planned a long weekend trip for us to a little coastal town in Maine, sans kids. While we know other couples who make at a minimum a weekend get-away just as routine as their annual family vacations, Mark and I have not been on a get-away without our children for five years. The last time was when Mark surprised me on a weekend trip to Chicago, for our 10-year anniversary.

Surprised me as in, he packed for me, coordinated our childcare, and picked me up from work and we left right then without me knowing, and thus, without me having a chance to have any second thoughts or fret about the childcare arrangements. Of course, we had a great time. Five years ago, and again this time, I asked, "Why don't we do this more?"

So, why don't we do this more? There are certainly many reasons for me, and for those of you who know me personally, know that I still have anxiety and/or the memory replay about leaving my children at home while on a trip. There's always that fear in the back of my mind that we may not come back. It's been nine years. I'm getting there (but that's for another post).

The other, and certainly more rational, reason is coordinating the childcare for our three active kids without feeling like we are breaking the bank or impeding on our family members' busy lives to watch our kids. This time there were three different hand-offs with a mix of family and a family friend. While we were gone, the kids were still able to do their scheduled activities (birthday parties, reading class, games, etc) while still being in their own home. In all likelihood, and certainly in retrospect, the kids need a regular break from us too.  

We stayed in a beautiful, cozy bed and breakfast called Morning Glory Inn and ate "lobst-ah" about every night. It was a quaint little town, called York, and if you've ever pictured a quaint town in Maine, this was it. It was rich with history, small restaurants serving delicious seafood, cute boutiques, and, of course, beautiful beaches and scenery. We were able to talk without interruption, eat when and where we wanted without negotiation, read our books, visit the spa and relax. 

The vacation to Maine (and the safe return) really made me realize that for all the reasons in the world there really is none worth not overcoming for the rejuvenation, relaxation and renewal of our marriage—and a trip away without the kids and our everyday lives and worries was just that. What we can't control, will be. Certainly, routinely scheduling a get-away for us, we can control.

In the end, we've decided to try "to do this" more, at least more than every five years comes around. Besides, we have a lot to celebrate.