from a family...to a couple

Breaking News:  the boy is off for two weeks with his grandparents in Texas.

This is not an uncommon summer situation at the Reynard house.  Because we've always lived a distance from our extended families (namely our parents), he's strapped on his backpack, put that unaccompanied minor pouch around his neck, and board a plane by himself to parts (un)known.

In the process, Jeff and I transform into what we were before...sort of.  We are now two instead of three.  We don't have the constant stream of consciousness of an 8-year-old running through the house.  And, frankly, we're a little lost at the beginning.

For example, yesterday after dropping Doodle off at the airport, I came home and took a 4 hour nap.  Good at the time...not so good when I wanted to go to bed last night.  Jeff was on the computer uninterrupted for that time and beyond...and frankly he seemed bored by the time I got home from my meeting at 9, and wanted to be right-up-next-to-me (it was hot...not a good time for snuggling).

I like this time and hate this time of year.  I'm glad Mercutio has a place to go and experience new things, away from me.  It gives him a chance to be independent.  It gives me a chance to catch my breath (because sometimes being a mom, and a wife, and a breadwinner is tough on my spirit). 

It also helps remind me that I am a wife, a second half of a couple, a partner.  That sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of the day to day drama of life.


So...we have a few days to get into our groove, enjoy each other, shake off the drama...and miss the boy.