A Day Just For Me

The kids were in school today, and although it is usually my day to work in the shop, Nick got it covered so that he could treat me to a special post-mother's day, pre-birthday day of relaxation.  He offered me several choices, and I picked floating down the river, with a little fishing thrown in.  I left Nick to arrange the details and get our gear together, and took the kids to school.  We needed two cars at the river, so I drove down by myself to meet Nick.  After ten minutes in the car without the kids, I realized I was still humming along with Sesame Street.  I quickly switched it off, shaking my head in disbelief.  I really needed this day.

When I caught up with Nick, we left my car at the take out, and drove up river with the boat.  We got it in the river, and pushed off.  I settled in, ready for some gentle drifting, but we hadn't gone far when Nick told me to get ready to cast.  I don't get to fish much any more, and I was a bit rusty.  But after a few casts, it started to come back to me.  With my husband guiding me, it wasn't long before I landed the first fish of the day, a really nice rainbow trout.  After that I began to loosen up, and unwind.  We continued to head down the river, fishing and talking.  We got into some great small-mouth bass water, and I caught a couple.  I was having a blast.  It was a beautiful day, and I was feeling nostalgic for past fishing trips we had taken together, when life was a little simpler.

Just as I was starting to get really hungry, Nick pulled the boat over to a grassy beach.  He hurriedly unloaded a bunch of stuff off the boat, and before I knew it, he had a beautiful picnic of all my favorite appetizers spread out, complete with a bottle of wine.  We sat under the shade of some willows, and leisurely nibbled on cheese stuffed olives, meats, and cheeses.  I felt thoroughly spoiled, and perfectly happy.  After a long lunch, we headed back down the river, catching more fish as we went.  By the time we pulled the boat out of the water, I was completely decompressed, and exhausted in the best possible way.  When I arrived at school to pick the kids up my pant legs were still wet, and I was still happy.  It was an absolutely perfect day, one that I needed badly.  My husband earned some major points for the beautiful day on the river he planned just for me.