Alone time

I noticed something yesterday as Hubby and I sat together in the bleachers all day at my daughter’s track meet. We were hunched under a big umbrella, all squished together, not really saying much, just watching the races when it hit me. We were alone. It had just been the two of us all day. In fact, there are lots of days anymore where it’s just him and me with no kids. When did that happen?? Why didn’t I realize it?

For years, we desperately longed for just an hour alone together, nonetheless a whole day. We would have to hire babysitters to just have an evening together, but a whole day? We would have been on cloud nine if the opportunity came up to have one entire day together. What a treat!! The baby and toddler years were so awesome, yet so gosh darn exhausting all at the same time. Time alone together was far and few between.

Anyway, there we were, just him and I. Not just over lunch, not grocery shopping or running an errand, just sitting. And thanks to the cold and rain, practically sitting on each other’s laps to stay warm and dry. We didn’t have to say anything or look at each other, just sat…..watching other people’s kids run around and occasionally removing the umbrella to watch our own.

When it hit me, I asked him, “Hey, do you realize we’re alone? We’ve been together all day without any kids and we’re not even acknowledging it, nor enjoying it. Remember when we would have loved to have a day alone?”

In a few weeks, our oldest daughter will finish her Junior year. Only one more year of high school. And our youngest will finish her 4th-grade year and only have one more year of Elementary school. Wowzers! When did all this happen? These years we used to dream about when they were little and screaming and making messes, with diapers and bottles taking over our home. They’re finally here, I guess, and before I even realized it.

I remember the day I didn’t have to buy diapers anymore and I remember the day I didn’t have to give anyone a bath anymore, but I can’t recall the actual day that Hubby and I could be alone without having to make babysitting arrangements and pay someone. One day you’re praying for five quiet minutes so you can have at least one adult conversation with your husband and the next, you’re sitting alone together for hours on end and don’t say a word. Weird how all this parenting thing happens!