I need to split up this two-day trip in three parts, Leo, NYC and the NFL Luncheon. There is just too much to try to cram into one post and doing it in two would feel equally disjointed.
This first post is going to be a little cornbally (I don’t know if that is a word but I like it and it fits) so if it isn’t your thing, I get it. You can tune in for tomorrow’s.
I love to travel. I didn’t know how much until I couldn’t do it anymore. I had lots of time but no money when I first started (first time I was ever on a plane was when I went to Boston in 1992 and I cried when Leo and I didn’t have seats together. I was 22 and a flying virgin). Then when I had money, I was working and time was limited. Then we had kids right away and well…you know how that goes. The money is sucked right out of you and time? Ha!
Leo and I used to get away once a year and my sister (or cousin) would watch the kids. I didn’t realize how much we needed that time until we didn’t have it anymore (everyone has their own lives now and with four kids, it’s just too hard). When this opportunity came up to go to New York, I was absolutely giddy. The last time I remember being that excited was when I found out I was pregnant with Gia. The day she was born is probably up there as well except it is shadowed by them having to rip my stomach open to get her.
It’s been 23 years and Leo is still my best friend. This trip brought that to light again. There was no bickering. There were no “digs”. No nagging. We hung out (with no time constraints), we talked, we took a thousand pictures and we laughed at things other than our kids or our own mishaps. I told him four things I wanted to do while there the short time and God bless him, he made sure we did them all. Which brings me to the whole reason for this post. We needed this. Maybe all couples don’t need this but we are a couple that does.
We get wrapped up in all that having four kids entails and we forget about us. We forget that we still like to do the same things. We forget that we enjoy being with each other. It was so nice to shut out the rest of the world for two days and just be.
I know not everyone is like this and it might not even be a favorable admission but I need time away. That anxiety that I constantly feel or the ball of stress in my stomach, I think I’d feel it a lot less if I could get away every now and then. I wrote a ton. I felt at peace. I was relaxed. It has NOTHING to do with how much I love my kids. I love them enough to know that I am healthier for them when I can take some time for myself. Some would say that sounds selfish and maybe it is but maybe it is just knowing myself pretty well. Knowing my make-up and that if I don’t get time away to regroup, I feel a little crazy and a mom who feels like she is going crazy isn’t good for anyone.
The greeting I got when I got home from the kids, I can’t get that if I am always here. Sometimes it takes doing without to realize how good we have it. I missed my kids while I was gone. Absolutely but how can we ever appreciate what we have without knowing what it would be like not to have it? On both sides.
Even knowing I am like that doesn’t mean that I will always get to do it. At least not to this extent. It’s a lot for someone else to take on. So for now, I’ll stick with weekly Barnes and Noble trips for myself and dinner or a movie once in a while for Leo and me and hope that from time to time, we’ll get to get away to rediscover and reinvent our love story (I told you…cornbally but I can’t help it…it fits).
I want to thank my family for helping me. Without you guys, I wouldn’t have been able to go. I want to especially thank my dad for staying with the kids. It went off without a hitch. I know my mom would have stayed here except that she couldn’t get off work so thanks for lending dad to me for two days. Thanks to Jen and Kim for getting Nico back and forth to school and practice.
A huge thanks to Leo for going with me. You knew this was important to me and you made the two days seem like a week. Thanks for hitting all the things I wanted to in the short time we were there. I had a blast with you and look forward to many more travels at some point in our lives. 
Love you.
Thank God for the GPS. It got us to all the places we wanted to go.
Apparently, taking a picture of ourselves will always result in me looking like a floating head.
Pouring my heart out with Shell today:
I am a stay at home mom, married to my college sweetheart, Leo. We have four kids, Nico, Tommy, Isabella and Gia. We have a son, Rocco that is an angel in Heaven.
Bring on the cornball!! I love it!!
I love that you all had so much fun being together. Love it!! I somehow am always slightly surprised to find out how much I enjoy my alone time with my husband when I get to have it because sometimes I forget what it’s like to be alone with him away somewhere. Even just shopping at Target is fun with him when it’s just the two of us. I adore that Leo is so supportive of all you do and your successes!! It makes me tear up a bit.
Oh, and you are a darn cute floating head!!! –Lisa
The Dose of Reality recently posted..It’s All Fun and Games Until Your Child’s Head Itches During A Lice Outbreak
This is so funny because Target is Leo and my weekly date and I LOVE it! It made laugh out loud that you think I have a cute floating head.
And I have to say that I was pretty teary thinking about how much he supports me, too. Even when I was thinking of stopping and going back to being private, he was the one that said I should keep going. Rants and all. 
So right that couple time is important. Not that I take that advice. My hubby and I have only been away twice together in 15 years. And once was when we were moving to MA and doing a house hunt and job interviews – hardly a pleasant weekend.
The hardest part is the child care piece. We have been dying to go to Vegas – even have the two free plane tickets, but finding someone to stay with our three is really hard.
Good for you two for making it happen.
Did you have good weather in NYC?? I hope so!
We had great weather when we first got there. Perfect for walking in Central Park. I know what you mean about childcare being the hardest. I am very lucky that my mom and dad are willing to take the kids once in a while and if they don’t, Leo’s mom would be willing. Very, very lucky.
YAY FOR YOU!!!!!! SO excited you took the LEAP and got exactly what you needed…time away with your hubs and time for it all….site seeing, love and writing. So happy for you AnnMarie!!!!
I cannot WAIT for that time with my hubby…hoping in the future we can take more time for just US. We all need that for our marriages!!!
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It was EXACTLY what we needed! Thanks for all your support! I love that we are on the same page with that and I hope you get some time soon!
I agree and know that Gene and I are in desperate need of a getaway for ourselves. Getting that time is hard. Having the money to do it is harder. I am glad you had a wonderful time hun.
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Totally agree that the time, money and kiddies are the obstacles which is why most of our “dates” are at Target.
AWWWWW!! I have been DYING for an update since you left!! I obviously cannot wait for all three parts!! What a fantastic post this was…you completely summed up marriage and why it needs time away from everything and everyone to get back to that place of fun. And love. And happiness. And you. I get it, my friend. This is probably one of my favorite posts of yours of all time!
-Ashley
thedoseofreality recently posted..It’s All Fun and Games Until Your Child’s Head Itches During A Lice Outbreak
So glad you had an amazing time.
It is NOT selfish to want to get away. We need to look after ourselves too.
I really need some time off. I’m grateful for the hour or two here I get a couple of times a week, but what I REALLY need, is a vacation. Without the kids.
Or at least just a long shower in peace.
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Not cornball- just sweet.
Hubs and I need that alone time, too. We don’t often get trips together but date nights and the occasional overnight here and there- we need it.
Shell recently posted..Pour Your Heart Out: My Husband is an Asshole
I don’t think this is cornbally at all! I need this time away also. That’s one thing that we need to work on more – getting time to reconnect, just the two of us. Like you said, with 4 kdis it is just so hard to actually break away and have that alone time.
I’m so glad you went and that you had a great time!!
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