The blissful break

Hello my lovelies...

Auckland...not your typical relaxation destination

Spring is in the air and it's definitely in my step. I've just returned from four day break in Auckland with my hubby, WITHOUT children. Yes, let me say that again, NO kids. I'm very sorry for the shouty capitals but I think situations like this deserve them.  What did I do with my time sans 4 kids?  Well, let me tell you. I relished walking airily through airports without a child in each arm and a ton of bags feeling like the Incredible Hulk. I wandered around the city, going wherever MY feet took me (not the frantic dash of my toddler). I enjoyed a book, jumped in the hotel swimming pool, ate luxurious food without having to share or shove it in at a frantic pace, and my husband and I actually finished conversations. It was delicious...every single minute of it.  My husband was at a conference most of the time and I enjoyed both my alone time and our together time.

Of course the payback for such self-indulgence is that you miss your little ones. Such crazy irony don't you think?  Not all the time, to be completely honest. Just first thing in the morning (cuddle time) and last thing in the evening (more cuddle time). In particular, I missed Little H, who I'm used to cuddling a lot during the day.

I know it's not feasible for every family, but I highly recommend such escapades. The list of benefits for relationships is inexhaustible.  My husband and I are feeling close and connected again which is to be expected but our children are currently appreciating our presence (even though they had a fab time with their grandparents and aunties and uncles). Let's see how long it lasts!  Our eldest daughter Miss B has been extremely chatty, and our 3 year old Master F has been giving me random cuddles, strokes and "I love you mummy, you missed me."
"Ahhh, yes of course I did," I say reassuringly (whilst dreaming of my hotel spa treatment).

Apple Terrine - weird but yummy

One of the best benefits of this trip for me was rediscovery. I can't afford to run off to Bali or Italy to 'find myself', 'Eat Pray Love' style but it was a reminder of the things I love, not the things my children love or need.

This is the list of things I remembered I love:

1. I love the water. I enjoyed sitting down near the harbour, drinking coffee and watching little boats bob up and down on the water. I've spent a lot of my life living near water and it's actually extremely calming. My husband loves the mountains so we spend a lot of time heading that way, but after this break, I've promised myself to spend more time near the water. I love to swim and I'd forgotten that too. A few laps in the hotel pool brought it all back to me.

Sleepy? Yes! 16 hours after our 3am wake-up call

2.  I love to read. I barely do it these days but nothing makes me happier than an engaging and thrilling novel. I hope to write one myself one day, so I'm often inspired after reading a book. It was also lovely not to fall asleep on page 2.

3. I love a chat. Not news to my peeps but I love having chats with random strangers. It reminds me that everyone has a story and some of them are blow-your-mind fascinating.  It's a bit of a throwback to my ABC Radio days when I listened to people's stories for a living. Miss it.

4. Most importantly, I remembered that inherently I'm a decent person. I deserve to feel happy, to feel loved and I do have something to offer. I think at my lowest point, not long ago, I didn't believe that. It's rather a big revelation in a little mini-break away but it's become more real to me.

So, take a break occasionally, by yourself if you can, and do something you love and remember the person you are.

Enjoying simple things.