It was November 2005. It had been quite a while since our family had been away on holiday. I was feeling tired and in need of a break. I had arranged two weeks off over Christmas and New Year, but that was 6 weeks away. It was late on a Wednesday afternoon when I had a call from a friend to say that her holiday cottage was available over the coming weekend and that she would be happy if Mike and I used it. I was desperate to say “yes” but had to decline the offer. Not only did Mike have an important meeting on Friday evening, we also had a “can’t be missed” function on Saturday morning. We couldn’t go.
After dinner that evening, Mike and I were enjoying a cup of coffee together when I mentioned “Jess called and offered us her Betty’s Bay cottage for the weekend.” Mike immediately said, “I hope you said ‘yes’.” “No!” I said, “of course I didn’t. You’ve got a Management meeting on Friday evening and then we’ve got that tea that we can’t miss on Saturday morning.” Mike was irritated, frustrated and annoyed! We had a little spat with me saying things like “what was I supposed to say…” Mike in turn retorted “we’ve GOT to be able to use it”. We then discussed “how” to use it. We concluded it would be worth going on Saturday morning after the tea and spend just one night at the cottage which was a couple of hours drive from our home. I called Jess back and the arrangement was made.
Wow! We had, in just one evening gone from jaded and irritable to enthusiastic and excited. The two of us…JUST the two of us were going away for one night! On Saturday morning, we kissed our teenage children goodbye, waved good bye to Mike’s Mom who was keeping an eye on them and left for one delicious night alone. We took an overnight bag and our linen. Nothing else. What followed was a most memorable 24 hour break. It came up completely unexpectedly. We had no expectations and we were blown away at the amazing good this SINGLE night would do us.
Betty’s Bay was the holiday village at which we had spent our first weekend as a married couple. In fact the cottage we stayed at was right next door to the beach home at which we spent our first night of marriage. In those days there was no electricity. We got there late at night, in the pitch dark with a howling south-easter for company. It was so exciting!
Where we stayed the first night of our married life
As we left on that particular Saturday in 2005, we reflected on our wedding day – 9th August 1986. We retraced the drive we made the day we married and we lapped it up. We couldn’t resist stopping at the restaurant we had visited for dinner after our wedding. We enjoyed a late breakfast there and told the owner we had been there 19 years before for dinner.
On arriving at the cottage we made up the bed, unpacked our clothes and began to chill. With a full tummy and nothing to do, we read, we slept, we rekindled our romance and enjoyed every moment of it. That evening we went out for dinner. Had dinner at one restaurant and dessert at another. In the morning, we visited a café in the village and sat on the veranda enjoying a cooked breakfast and reading the newspaper. It was just so civil! We walked and talked and dreamed and slept. I got more rest and refreshment over that one night than I did out of the 2 weeks off at the end of the year.
If you feel that your relationship is missing something, things are becoming a bit jaded or life is just way too hectic, an instant treatment is a brief getaway. This is a primary means of resting, reconnecting physically, catching up on missed communication and simply reflecting on your life.
Over the years, Mike & I have enjoyed 100s of getaways all by ourselves! They don’t need to be expensive or extensive but they do need to happen. Leaving the children behind is essential & the trip to the destination is part of the fun. Investing in a getaway alone is investing in your relationship which is the best investment you can make.
Matthew 19:4-6
4 ‘Haven’t you read,’ He replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” 5 and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’
Doing things God’s way, works.
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂