A Joyous Occasion

I'm going to Women's Conference in Utah this weekend. Without my husband. Or my child. I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself. I'm going with two very close friends and I don't care what we do while we're away, I just need a break. Well, I do care that we go to Cafe Rio and see Myndi, but that's about it.

In all reality, I think all three of us: G, Buddy, and I are all in for a rude awakening. G is fully capable of holding down the fort and I completely trust him, but honestly, he's never done it before. In all nine years of marriage, I've never left him home alone. He's left me so many times -- I can't count that high (8-week internships, trips to New York, trips to Utah, trips to Reno, trips to Bend every couple weeks lately, trips to the coast, etc, etc, etc.)

I know I'm going to be so painfully lonely. I've only spent two nights away from Buddy. One time he spent the night at my mom's house so I could chaperone a youth snow trip. In that case, I don't know which was worse: being away from Buddy overnight, or hanging out in the wind and snow with crazy teenagers. Then last summer G and I went camping at the beach with our dear friends, Steve and Tang. That actually was very enjoyable, but I couldn't wait to get home to be with my little boy. I very, very rarely even spend more than a few hours away from him. There's a reason we call him Buddy. He's always been my little Buddy.

This will be four nights and I'm really going to miss him. Oh yeah, and I'll miss Greg too. I always do when we're apart.

And Buddy... I've really been debating how he'd take the news that I was leaving. I was sort of afraid he wouldn't care because he's not a clingy child at all. He's extremely independent, which I love. Tonight G broke the news and his reaction made my whole day -- my whole month! Apparently G told him that the day after tomorrow I'd be going to a conference. Without him. Buddy quickly came into the kitchen where I was to get the story straight. Mommy is going on an airplane without me? We didn't mention that the conference was in Utah because he'd be so jealous, but I just said that I'd be gone for a few days but he was going to play with daddy and Grandma "Devi" and that he'd go to the zoo with some of his friends. Without skipping a beat he said, "I want daddy to go to a conference instead." We sat down to dinner and explained that the conference is only for girl's (although G has attended in the past-- but that's another story for another day). Buddy then stared right at me and sadly said, "But girls are supposed to stay at home."

That's why I love that kid. He's such a sweet little boy and I get a little teary thinking about leaving. But I'll get over it.