It is rare that I get a night out with the girls. With work schedules, kids, and life in general it is way too hard in this stage of life. On those precious occasions when we all find time on the calendar to get together, my excitement grows the entire week prior. Dreaming of adult conversation, a little gossip, and just a chance to not have my 2 year old stalking me …it’s like I’m some caged mom-animal who is about to escape.
Then the day arrives. On my drive to work, my tween music is a little louder than normal. I have extra energy. The hours go by SO slow, but I don’t give a damn because “I AM GOING OUT WITH THE GIRLS!” Yeah, that’s right. Everyone at work with knows it because I can’t stop talking about it. My Friday night will not consist of changing diapers, cooking food that will be thrown on the floor, or watching Doc McStuffins. It will be fabulous and spent with my friends from grade school, who are all moms themselves.
Dinner turns out to be just as entertaining as it always is. We laugh and catch up and talk about our crazy babies and hubbies and just are ecstatic to be in each other’s company. The waitress, who is 22, is also aware that it is a rare night out for us so she keeps the drinks flowing. She looks a little scared though, probably vowing that she will never turn out like us. Little does she know that these nights out are necessary for all moms, even if they are not as often as we’d like. And it’s not like we went out clubbing all night….it was dinner and we were home by 10. Yes, lame I know.
The day after is not as enjoyable. My head is pounding from the cosmo/wine combination and my overall feeling is just blah. The kids are thrilled to see me, and the feeling is mutual. Advil, water and seltzer are on tap all day along with some greasy food, and finally I start to perk up a little bit. Some feelings of guilt creep in. Did I really need to have that last glass of wine? Is it worth it? My kids missed me. I missed them. Am I a bad mom for being hung-over? I continue to lay on the couch and remember some hilarious moments from the night before while wishing I could be a more “responsible” adult when I venture out with the girls.
I eventually get over it and will do it again. It happens every single time. Nights out with friends helps me feel refreshed, remember where I came from, and it makes me feel young and not as “mom-ish”. My hope is to one day be able to not go as “wild” and have a low-key night but I can’t make any promises.
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