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rs while she was at school or asleep. I got the entire bed to myself. No one was snoring next to me. The laundry baskets were close to empty — which never happens. It was delightful.</p><p id="a716">My husband missed us terribly. He called at least twice a day and messaged me frequently. I kept telling him to put his phone away and enjoy his vacation — while secretly enjoying <i>my</i> little vacation at home.</p><p id="55ff">All in all, this trip to Europe ended up being the best thing to happen to our family and to my marriage. Our son couldn’t wait to get home by the end of it, my husband came home appreciating me more, and my daughter and I experienced some fantastic chill time at home. I even started to miss my husband by the end of it instead of being permanently annoyed at him.</p><p id="f74b">Life can surprise us. Decisions we dislike at first can end up benefitting us in a way we didn’t expect. Sometimes relationships need a break. Sometimes we don’t even realize it until it happens. That doesn’t mean there isn’t love there — it just means that quite often we need breathing room away from the people and responsibilities in life that we’re most devoted to.</p><p id="93e2">And that’s okay. I’ve learned that it’s absolutely all right to sit in that free space and revel in it until it's over.</p><p id="bd12"><b><i>Read Medium articles often? For $5 a month, you can support my writing AND get access to every article on Medium by using the referral link below… xoxo</i></b></p><div id="a622" class="link-block"> <a href="https://michelleponders.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - Michelle Brown</h2> <div><h3>As a member, you'll get all of Michelle's articles plus thousands more from other writers. Your membership fee directly…</h3></div> <div><p>michelleponders.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*muDaPOe9N5NG-tD_)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="248c"><b><i>More Reading…</i></b></p><div id="71a4" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-man-i-had-an-affair-with-is-still-with-his-wife-23384f10c67a"> <div> <div> <h2>The Man I Had

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Life/Relationships

My Husband Went To Europe Without Me — And I’m Glad

Bon Voyage.

Photo by Oziel Gómez on Unsplash

At first, I was resentful — jealous. I wasn’t even sure our relationship would survive this decision.

Then I realized I might be feeling a bit dramatic.

My husband made the choice to travel to Europe without me — to a place I’d always wanted to go. Amsterdam.

Amsterdam has always been on my bucket list, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Millions of tourists visit this Dutch city every year to absorb its culture and European delights.

My husband wanted to go to a Pink Floyd concert there with our 18-year-old son. He invited me on the trip but I was disappointed when I realized it wouldn’t be convenient for me to go on this excursion or to take our much younger daughter along.

So, I attempted to be gracious and say that I didn’t mind the two of them going on this trip together without me. To a place I’ve always wanted to go.

It wasn’t easy. I had to listen to them talk about the trip for several months before it actually came to fruition. I entertained their excitement and supported their expectations.

However, when the day for them to get on the plane started to approach, something unexpected happened.

I wasn’t jealous anymore. I was relieved.

Throughout the months leading up to their trip, I realized something. I was actually looking forward to it. Even though I would still have my daughter and all my regular responsibilities while my husband and son were gone — I’d have a much-needed staycation.

There would be less laundry, fewer dishes, and less stress. My daughter and I would have girl time together. I could walk around the house with no bra. I was actually getting really excited about the trip by the time it finally arrived.

Once they left, my daughter and I had a great time. I got alone time I hadn’t had in years while she was at school or asleep. I got the entire bed to myself. No one was snoring next to me. The laundry baskets were close to empty — which never happens. It was delightful.

My husband missed us terribly. He called at least twice a day and messaged me frequently. I kept telling him to put his phone away and enjoy his vacation — while secretly enjoying my little vacation at home.

All in all, this trip to Europe ended up being the best thing to happen to our family and to my marriage. Our son couldn’t wait to get home by the end of it, my husband came home appreciating me more, and my daughter and I experienced some fantastic chill time at home. I even started to miss my husband by the end of it instead of being permanently annoyed at him.

Life can surprise us. Decisions we dislike at first can end up benefitting us in a way we didn’t expect. Sometimes relationships need a break. Sometimes we don’t even realize it until it happens. That doesn’t mean there isn’t love there — it just means that quite often we need breathing room away from the people and responsibilities in life that we’re most devoted to.

And that’s okay. I’ve learned that it’s absolutely all right to sit in that free space and revel in it until it's over.

Read Medium articles often? For $5 a month, you can support my writing AND get access to every article on Medium by using the referral link below… xoxo

More Reading…

If you enjoy my writing, you can leave me a tip, buy me a glass of wine or contribute to me monthly at my Ko-fi page! Thank you!

Relationships
Lif
Travel
Family
Self
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