My kids had their first sleepover EVER — at their grandparent’s house (not far, just across the street) — on New Year’s Eve.
Yes, I know, they’re old enough now. Yet, it was still a bit hard for me to let loose of the reins. But I finally decided they should go because they wanted to (a first), and I thought my husband and I could use this as an opportunity for a much-needed date night.
So we fought the crowd and managed to eat out with only a 1.5-hour call-ahead (plus another 10-minute) wait time.
I don’t like waiting for most things in life, and food is definitely at the top of that list. But, I thought we should embrace the opportunity and live it up. (And, perhaps, have one meal without a food fight or a discussion about why we need to eat our vegetables.)
So we had a nice dinner (yes, I made my husband eat a few vegetables, too); then we came home to ring in the new year in style.
OK, so we made brownies and drank milk instead.
After that was the best part though. Our evening’s entertainment consisted of turning on the TV to watch the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Party in NYC … but then muting it and turning on the surprise high school playlist I made my husband (just for the evening) instead. All the excitement of NYC, but with better music — for sure.
This year will mark 15 years for me since I graduated from high school.
And though we went to high schools roughly 260 miles away from each other, suddenly, my husband and I attended our first school dance together.
Music has the ability to take you straight back in time. I was 17 again. I remember the dress, the shoes, the night.
Only this time around, I could make it even better.
Because this time, I didn’t have to worry about whether there was a goodnight kiss (obviously I knew there would be) or if my parents would be up waiting for me when I got home.
Heck, I had the added bonus that I didn’t even have to worry about getting the kids in bed.
Nope, this time around I could have it all.
It was fun. We talked about old times, old friends, and all the stupid things we did. We talked about our past, our present and our future
I’ve found, what I’m listening to says a lot about what kind of mood I’m in, or who I’m with.
Take the boys for instance. When they’re in the car with me, I like to frequent their playlist which includes songs like “Life is a Highway” (Rascall Flatts, Cars soundtrack), “Finally Friday” (George Jones, played exclusively at pick up time at the end of the week), “Cheeseburger in Paradise” (Jimmy Buffet), and of course some Shakira (because they like her music videos).
Sometimes you just need to listen to a song to help pull you out of the rut you’re in, give you confidence, or make you laugh at yourself.
Sometimes you just need to change your tune — or change your playlist — to change it all.
My boys are always bringing the dance party to our house. They love music, and they certainly have the moves. They’ve taught me there’s nothing like letting loose and just letting go. The only thing holding you back is you.
While my husband and I had a great time, we didn’t even make it to the new year. We went to bed early (while we could sleep in our own bed alone). Wow; there is nothing like a good night’s sleep. I kind of had forgotten how great it is.
I told my husband later it was one of the best nights ever. He said, “I’m sorry.” And I laughed as I told him that I was serious. “I had fun just hanging out at the high school dance; but this time it was better, because I was with you.”
