My Choice

Today a small miracle occurred; Nick had the day off, and I didn’t have the kids.  A rarity, let me assure you.  We didn’t want to miss the opportunity to spend some quality time together, so after the kids were at school, we packed up the car, and drove into the mountains.  Nick and I have shared many adventures over the last decade, before embarking on our biggest adventure, parenthood.  We used to go hiking, fishing, and exploring.  The biggest difference between now and then is that we used to be spontaneous.  Don’t get me wrong, we still have all of that in us, but life doesn’t allow for as much spontaneity once there are little ones on your hip.  Today we wanted to remember what it was like to be that adventurous, spontaneous couple.  And so we did.

We drove off into the wilderness south of our house, and hiked into a canyon to search for trout in a river banked in ice.  It was amazing.  Cliffs rose straight out of the water, and Ponderosas looked down on us from high above.  The only sounds were those of the water rushing downstream, and the zip of Nick’s line in the air.  I sat on a rock, warm from the winter sun, and soaked in the peacefulness.  And then my children crept into my consciousness, and I couldn’t wait to bring them there. 

After a long hike out, we headed home via a different route.  As we passed a sign for an upcoming winery, I suggested we stop, and have a tasting.  We did.  It was the first non-planned outing we’ve had in a while.  It was a lot of fun.  We tried a few wines, bought a couple of bottles and some chocolates, and headed home. 

I looked over at my husband and felt totally content.  I believe that a marriage takes work, a lot of work.  It is a choice you have to make every day.  I know why I made the choice I did, I haven’t once questioned it, and I never want to forget it.  We are always a team, Nick and I, but we need time for just the two of us to strengthen that team.  I believe we will be better parents for it.  I don’t want to go back in time to before we had children, I just want us to have moments to remember that we are still those people, we can exist together without our kids, and I know this will become very important one day.  Today we were just Nick and Chrissy, and I was reminded how beautiful that is.