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05.13.14 / Wifenapped!

Last week I was (legally) wifenapped.

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That guy is verrrrry sneaky. I pride myself on not being easily surprised. In fact, I can only think of two other moments in my life where I was genuinely surprised: 1) when Steve proposed (we had never even talked about getting married and I was under the assumption that he was in another state at the time) and 2) when we discovered we were pregnant with #3.

But last week Steve got me again. I knew something was up when he didn’t go to work.

me: Are you not feeling well?

Steve: No, I’m fine.

me: Are you working from home today?

Steve: Maybe later.

Then I noticed the smirk. The “I’ve got something up my sleeve” smirk.

me: I don’t like not knowing what’s going on.

Steve: I know.

me: WHY ARE YOU PACKING A SUITCASE?!

Steve: You probably should too.

Long story short, my husband planned a one-night getaway for us. He made reservations, bought tickets, scheduled sitters for the kids and took time off from work. He normally does none of those things. I was completely surprised. It helped that he had been lying to me for months. He told me he was going to be very busy at work that particular week and that he’d be late getting home. I had basically written him off for the week.

LIAR.

wifenap 1

We voted. That might not sound exciting but voting without kids is amazing. It’s right up there with trolling Target on a weeknight after the kids are in bed. We ate lunch at Mellow Mushroom. The pizza was awesome and I’m pretty sure our waiter was high. Which reminded me of a recent This American Life episode.

Then we checked into a hotel in Cincinnati and proceeded to take a two-hour nap. I am not a napper. But that day I was and now I’m considering taking up hotel siesta-ing as a hobby.

wifenap 2

Fresh from our nap, we went to dinner and that’s when the big secret was revealed. I think I’ve mentioned it before but just in case you missed it… I am a HUGE Nickel Creek fan. They just reunited after a six-year hiatus and I have been dying to see them in concert. But, alas, Steve was *supposed to be extra busy* at work when they were playing in Cincy so I buried the idea. Sneaky little bas&*#d.

I don’t know if it was the extra long Ohio winter or what, but I swear they sounded better than ever. (This was my third time seeing them live.) It was THE BEST. They are so so good live. The Secret Sisters opened. I had never heard of them but now I have their album. Give me a beer and good music and I am a happy lady. Steve knows this.

wifenap 3

We retreated to our hotel room and slept until 9AM the next morning. Unheard of. We grabbed breakfast at First Watch. I think it was the first time I’ve ever downed an entire cup of coffee without having to reheat it at least once. (At home, mornings are hectic and I’m pulled away from my cup of jo often.) Somehow we ended up at Ikea. (?!) We arrived home just in time to get the boys off the bus.

We were only gone one night but it felt like we had been away for weeks. It was just what we needed.

None of this has anything to do with houses or pillows but I wanted to share because it was a wake-up call. We adults can be so serious and busy and regimented in our daily lives. Especially when long workdays and home renovations and kids are involved. We get so caught up in our roles. I get it. I’m right there with you. But making and taking the time to do something out of the ordinary on an ordinary day (not a birthday or a holiday or a vacation day) can be a breath of fresh air. Admittedly, it’s disorienting at first. (I was slightly uncomfortable up and leaving my kids on a weekday without proper preparation – i.e., a week-long of list making.) But once the initial “what do I do with myself?!” wears off, it’s nothing short of a revival in your relationship.

You better believe I know how lucky I am to have a partner who would go to such lengths to surprise me. It made me feel like he totally notices and appreciates what I do all day long at home with three kids. It made me feel special. Slightly uncomfortable…but special.

People, you must try this partner-napping thing some time. It’s pretty great.

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

45 Comments

13.May.2014

*Two hour nap* Suuuuure ;)

That. Sounds. Amazing. Good work to your husband!! Mad props on that one :D

13.May.2014

You both deserve it. Heck, everyone does. Thanks for sharing.

13.May.2014

Love those husband surprises. Something about doing things he doesn’t normally do really gets me weak in the knees. :) Mine surprised me this past weekend by building me a raised planter box {it looks professional!} while I was gone for a day wine tasting with girl friends.

Sounds like you had a blast on our surprise little get away.

13.May.2014

This sounds awesome! Good job Steve!

A well deserved treat! Kudos to HH for pulling it off.

13.May.2014

Aww, that is the sweetest! Also, May 6 is *my* birthday, so when you said “not a special occasion” I was like, “huh? May 6 is a special occasion!” Then I remembered that a) you don’t know me and b) my birthday isn’t a national holiday. (Although it is also George Clooney’s birthday, so clearly good things happen then.)

13.May.2014

Oh so awesome! I give your husband a high five and an ole “what a guy.” I think surprises are the best, especially the kind that involves getting away for a bit.

13.May.2014

yay! what an awesome husband!

13.May.2014

Love it! You should do a post on how your husband and you met/got engaged !

13.May.2014

That sounds awesome! I love Nickel Creek too. But really, any kind of kid-free getaway would be wonderful :) You’ve got a good husband!

13.May.2014

Lol!! I love how real you are. And that you called your husband a liar and a bas#*&^ cracked me up. Glad you had fun.

That sounds like a dream mini getaway. Getting through an entire hot drink while it is still warm is pretty high on my dream list :)

How cool is this whole story! What a fun and special surprise.

13.May.2014

I love this!

I was just thinking I should drop a hint to my husband… but maybe I should husband-nap him! Also, hooray for the local-cation (i.e., local vacation). We did this once– got the in-laws to babysit while we spent the weekend exploring the city we live 30 minutes from– and it was fabulous.

13.May.2014

Yes… Now you totally have to tell the proposal story.

What an awesome hubby! I’d love to hear your engagement story… and I’m still waiting for those infamous wedding photos bahahah ;)

13.May.2014

Yes, I do!

13.May.2014

I meant them in the nicest way possible ;)

13.May.2014

You share a birthday with George Clooney?! Lucky duck.

13.May.2014

Congrats on the planter…and wine tasting!

13.May.2014

;)

13.May.2014

Hey that’s my mom’s bday, so I think it’s pretty special too. :) Happy late birthday!

13.May.2014

Sounds amazing!! You are one lucky lady!

13.May.2014

This is SOOOOO awesome!! What an awesome guy!

14.May.2014

That sounds so fun! And yay, Secret Sisters! Good dancing music with the kiddos.

14.May.2014

So… I’ve been a quiet blog stalker here at House Tweaking for a little while. I kind of pop in from time to time and think, “How does she keep her hardwood floors so clean with a toddler in her home?” And then I just remember that you don’t have MY toddler, who can demolish a home faster than an F5 tornado on the ground can do! And through all of my admiration for your clean floors and fantastic kitchen, I’ve just been a non-blog-commenter, but today… well… you had me at the words “two-hour nap” and “we slept in until 9 AM” and “I drank a cup of coffee straight through without having to reheat it at least once.” I think mamas with toddlers everywhere were cheering you on with this blog post! Whoop! Whoop!! And now I have to go, because my own cup of coffee at the computer is officially finished (warmed up just once today, after a poopy diaper change and a “GET DOWN OFF OF THE KITCHEN ISLAND” statement that immediately followed), and the toddler is in the pantry right now, unloading shelves. So… I’m off. But I’ll be thinking about you and your I DRANK THIS ALL IN ONE SITTING WITHOUT REWARMING IT cup of coffee all day! What a fun trip! And Jesus just didn’t bless me with the spiritual gift of redecorating, so really… you should bring your toddler on over, we’ll have coffee together at my dining room table (the microwave is nearby, so reheating is easy), and then…after our coffee time is finished… you could push your chair back and say something glittery and fancy… like… “Can I just redecorate your house for you?” And I would be speechless as I hopped up and down like Cinderella in her new ball gown with excitement! Have a great Wednesday.

14.May.2014

Best. Husband. Ever. Award. !!!!

14.May.2014

This brings back fond memories. I surprised my husband with Nickel Creek tickets several years ago. I took nickels and placed them, Hansel-and-Gretal-breadcrumb-style, between our house and a creek several blocks from our house. He had to follow the nickels to the creek where the tickets were secured to a cattail. :) We’re in our 50’s and 60’s… it’s never too late for a little fun and romance.

sounds amazing! What a great hubby!

14.May.2014

YAY! I love the Secret Sisters, too. They opened for Brandi Carlile and Ray LaMontagne a couple of years ago. Not a fan of modern country at all, but loved the singer-songwriter sound, and how they felt like real old-fashioned country of my childhood. And their harmonies are a thing of beauty.

14.May.2014

This is so amazing! It sounds like a perfect getaway – food, music, beer and IKEA! With no kids! I love this. Thanks for the reminder to make these things happen in our own lives :)

what an amazing guy that Steve…”sneaky little bas$%&@!” So glad oyu enjoyed some alone time:)

14.May.2014

I’m not a fan of modern country either. You’re right, Nickel Creek and Secret Sisters are more authentic to old school country and bluegrass with their songwriting, harmonies and musical capabilities.

14.May.2014

Oh, how sweet!

14.May.2014

There are many, many days I feel like I just go from one Mabrey mess to the next. (Yesterday was one of those days.) It makes me appreciate the little things (like a hot cup of coffee) all the more. Thank you for reading! You have a great sense of humor. I think we would get along swimmingly :)

14.May.2014

I make my kids listen to my music whether they like it or not. But usually they do!

14.May.2014

Any chance we could hire your hubs to write letters to our husbands telling them they should do nice things like this?

Signed,
a toddler’s momma who hasn’t been on an overnight excursion with my husband since our daughter was born

P.S. I realize this may have sounded rudish, but I really am happy for your surprise!

14.May.2014

heavenly! also, the secret sisters? are amazing. i went to a brandi carlile acoustic show a few years ago – just brandi, on a stool, with a guitar – and the secret sisters opened for her. they were fantastic … sweet, charming, so talented. what a fabulous surprise that sneaky guy pulled off; he’s a winner!

14.May.2014

I told him he needs to be a Happy Wife, Happy Life guru. He’s really good at this husband thing.

14.May.2014

This is just SO adorable, I had to say – I feel like you were apologizing for not writing about homes but I LOVE this! I love that you let us peek into your home and your projects – and now this cute little respite that I think we do need a reminder to have. I think it was just perfect :)

14.May.2014

Good for you! My husband did that once for me, too and your description really brought back memories. (It was 27 years ago ;)

Ok, for some reason when I read ‘Nickel Creek’ my mind interpreted it as ‘Nickelback’ and I was like, “Girlfriend MUST need a vacay if she thinks Nickelback is good.” Glad that I was wrong! :)

24.May.2014

[…] Yesterday Steve had mulch delivered and by the time he was home from work I had spread it all. That wife-napping thing is really working in his favor […]

07.January.2015

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