Last night I took Sugarplum out for a birthday dinner, just her and me. When I got invited the Tijuana Flats event earlier in the month, I decided to take Honeybun as my “plus one” since it was the day before her birthday and as we were enjoying our time together I realized how little time I actually spend with my kids individually.
My time is usually spent with pairs or threes of children, rarely a child alone. And if I do ever get alone with one child time, it’s while the others are sleeing and we have to stay quiet ( though it does allow for some great cuddling!)
So I decided: birthday dinners will be a tradition. Just me and the birthday baby, out for a meal together where we can talk uninterrupted and just enjoy being together. It’s shown me things about my kids in a new light. I saw how grown up Honeybun has gotten and we were able to have mature conversations. I saw how funny, curious and busy Sugarplum is and how she never stops moving (or talking!) and it’s made me realize we need to find ways to work with her personality, not against it.
But I look at it not so much as a birthday celebration. It’s not about presents or them getting bigger. It’s more of an anniversary celebration. It’s a time to remember and celebrate the first day we met, the moment we first laid eyes on each other and when we fell in love. It’s not just a time for the birthday child, but a time for US to celebrate our love and time together.
Last night was not to celebrate Sugarplum turning four but rather our four years together, the journey we’ve made together and all we have to come!
