The Girl I Used to Be

by

 

 

I hung up the phone, starting to second guess this idea.  6:00 was awfully late to be meeting; bedtime is 7:30 after all…

As I pulled out of the driveway, I started wondering when that change happened.  When did 6:00 start being “late” to go out?

Just what happened to the girl who used to go dancing until midnight or later?  Whose boots actually touched the top of the bar once in a “Coyote Ugly was a great movie” kind of moment…

needing a parenting break
These shoes aren’t made for dancing…

 

When did 6:00 become late to go out, and just how did I get stuck with a 7:30 curfew as an adult?

 

I was still pondering these questions when my cell phone rang.  Her husband was running late, which meant she’d be meeting me a little later than we agreed upon.

Already at the restaurant, I called my husband.  I guess I already knew I wouldn’t be home at the start of the bedtime routine, but now it was looking like he would be getting them asleep by himself.  A first.

 

The fact that she’d be running late actually turned out to be a blessing.  Knowing I’d never make it home in time to help get the kids asleep meant I was no longer checking the clock; the “curfew” disappeared.

Over drinks and dinner we did what girlfriends do best — talked about everything and anything.  It wasn’t until the waitress stopped by and mentioned she would be leaving for the evening that we checked the time.  4 hours had flown by, and we agreed it was time we both headed home.

 

On the drive home I realized something.  That girl that used to stay out past midnight isn’t really gone.  Maturity and children may have changed her, but that’s okay.  It’s better than okay.  She still has that connection with her best friend that allows them to lose track of time for hours on end, and now she has 2 beautiful children she can’t wait to tuck in at night, and a wonderful husband who was waiting up.  And she wouldn’t change that for the world.

 

 

Happy to be linked up at Lemon Drop Pie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  2. Getting up at 5:45 on workdays has definitely brought about a self-imposed bedtime for this girl. When my younger sister was still in college she would call me “late” at night (you know, after 10pm, haha) and I would always miss the calls because I’d already be in bed. 😉 Crazy when I used to stay up until 1 or 2 most mornings during the college days. 😉 Love how you put it in perspective of how you wouldn’t change anything! Glad you got to have a chance to get out of the house past the kids’ bedtime! 🙂

  3. My husband and I each have our nights out, when the other parent puts the kids to bed solo. He goes out with the guys, or I have book club, or one of us has a nighttime meeting. It’s nice to have a bedtime break sometimes, but I always go give my girls a good night kiss even though they are asleep! Sometimes they’ll ask me in the morning if I came in to give them a kiss. 🙂

    Come on over to my blog and add your link to my linky! I’m trying to use it more since I use one that I paid for.

    • That sounds lovely! Everyone needs a night out with friends — I love that you guys get to take turns doing that!
      I agree — had to give my babies a kiss when I got home, even though they were asleep!

      Off to check out your linky!

  5. So happy for you to find a bit of your old self again. It is so important to take care of our connections with friends and it is wonderful to be able to have a husband that is willing and capable of tucking them in at night every once in a while by himself so that you can get a well deserved break.

    • It was the first time he got them to sleep by himself…but it worked! 🙂 My youngest was upset that Mommy wasn’t home, but he did go to sleep eventually, and it helped me realize that I CAN go out past bedtime sometimes. Being able to connect with my best friend — definitely a blessing this week!

  6. I love this. It shows just how much our lives can change. But change certainly isn’t a bad thing!

  7. Like Ginny, we both have a night out when the other does the night stuff. It is a well-needed break. I’m so glad you got a night out with your best friend. I swear it is good for the soul to revisit the person we used to be every once in a while.

    • It was definitely good for the soul! Not only did I get to spend time with a friend, but I learned that the kids would be just fine if I wasn’t there at bedtime.

  9. It’s funny how my life changed so drastically! But nope I wouldn’t change it for the world. Honestly I probably wouldn’t be as healthy without my kids. I used to work 16 hour days and then go out with friends after. Often I would get 3-4 hours of sleep back then. My kids may give me gray hairs, but they also keep me young and on my toes 🙂 And gave me a reason to not work 16 hours a day lol!

    That’s awesome that you were able to get out for a night with your friend!

    • Yes, I have to say having kids helps keep me healthy, too. Lots more exercise just chasing them around and I try to cook better now, too. 🙂

  10. The girl who used to stay out past midnight didn’t have to get up at 6 with kids! haha

    I went to the grocery store at 8 last night & thought I was going to die when I got home. lol

    • Exactly! My husband always suggests I could go to the store without the kids if I wait until they are in bed, but I never feel like heading out that late!

  11. SOOO glad you just let your husband put the kids to bed and stayed out with your feiend! I LOVE doing that. I think doing that once in a while is good for all parties involved. Great post! Sopping by from #SITSSharefest

    • I agree — it is good for all involved! The kids had more Daddy time, I got to spend time with my friend, and the husband got to see that he really could do it on his own if he had to.
      Thanks for stopping in — off to check out your post!

  15. Kids definitely change us…..and not in the bad ways that we always think. I’m so glad that you wrote this.
    We’re not missing out, we’re just moving on to something new…..and might I add: BETTER!

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