My mom had a brilliant idea to take a mommy/daughter vacation as our last hoorah before I said my I DOs. Vacation? Sure. Cancun? Absolutely. So I took off work for the weekend, kissed my 2 boys goodbye, and headed to Dallas on Thursday. Early Friday morning my dad dropped us off at DFW and our vacation began.
The plane ride started questionable. We didn't realize, until our boarding passes were printed, that we were seated on separate rows. My mom posted up on her row, as I emptied my nervous bladder (flying has made me more and more nervous the older I get), hopefully awaiting 2 single fliers. One, hopefully, agreeing to switch seats with her. The prey arrived, and momma bear attacked. The girl happily obliged and the man now sitting next to my mom hands the lady her pillow. Low and behold, the man and lady were together. When my mom and I realized this we sincerely apologized and asked if she'd like her original seat back. She told us not a problem, "we sat by each other on our previous flight". What a wonderful soul.
As we started our descent. I noticed we were above the ocean, and this was the view. Bliss.
Gorgeous. Would you say so?
So we made no eye contact on the way out, determined not to be stalked to join a time share. Successful, we made our way to our resort. All inclusive and absolutely beautiful.
We were greeted with welcome drinks, so we posed:
"Let's just take a selfie my mom said". Excuse me, did I hear you correct? You young soul of a self just use the word SELFIE. Many phrases like this came from her mouth this past weekend, one of those being HASHTAG. I guess the empty nesting is taking years off my parents. NOTE: The red, almost sunburn looking line on my shoulder was from my 90 lb carry on. Ouch.
We were given our room key and introduced to our alcohol dispenser and fully stocked fridge with beer, mixers, and BOTTLED water. Pray for no revenge on us, Montezuma. More on that story later.
Here was the view from our balcony.
Most of our day was spent traveling and in customs so we took advantage of the few hours left of sun and went to the beach. It was here that we noticed the resort setting up for a wedding, a post on Facebook that couldn't wait for the blog to be posted. There were topless women. Perfectly sculpted bosoms that had absolutely no tan lines, not that I was studying them, but this was not their first peep show. There were also the gravity exposed; poor souls, but we will all have our turn, just not now please. This all just a few feet away from the ceremony. Not my cup if tea. Then there was my mother and I. We were the photographers. I captured moments, people.
NOTE: Please notice the classy spectacles and their fresh ocean water hairdos. Psh, onlookers. I continued my job:
Yes, I was sobbing by this point. No, not because the bride's father was in flip flops, or that the people in the ocean felt like their role was as important than mine photographing, but because I know in a little over a month, this will be me and my daddy.
We couldn't stay for the whole ceremony. We had dinner and drinks to attend to.
And so we did.
Enjoy drinks
And drinks.
And more drinks.
It was all-inclusive for heavens sake. And we were in Mexico. And we were celebrating. We had so much fun. With so much laughter.
It was fabulous to be away from the stress of what we call life. Away from complaints of everyday junk. I actually enjoyed the sound of blissful silence. No country or repetitive songs on the radio. No tv you could understand because we don't know Spanish. Even though I've lived in SA for almost 2 years now...but that an excuse for another story. It was fabulous only having tvs in our room because people had no distractions. They sat face to face at a table, made eye contact, and communicated. I love this, which is why we have not had cable, or any tv channels, for 2 years now. I highly recommend it. Everyone was optimistic. They were on vacation too. And celebrating life, with no complaints.
Yes we could have focused on the negatives. The food wasn't that great, but the presence of company over a meal outweighed the cons. We didn't have much cold air in our rooms, but we didn't spend much time there anyway so why complain. The internet wasn't the best connection, but at least we have the ability to communicate through apps like viber so we don't pay $99 a minute. Once our family had a visitor who all they had to say were complaints. Finding the negative in people and negatives of life. A world full of pessimism. I had had enough at the end of their stay that I initiated a rule: For every negative comment you say, follow with 2 positive things. It's a wonderful way to work if you must.
This brings me to the mother in the airport in Cancun. She was just mad at life. It all started when her husband let her probably 9 year old girl go to the bathroom on her own. Yes probably not the best decision. But she dragged on her pissed off attitude for forever. "Daughter where did you put my book?" It was in the girls suitcase. She demanded she get it out. So the girl did, meanwhile trying to repack her suitcase because she had messed it up digging, her mom threw a fit, telling the dad it was his responsibility to clean up the mess. "Daughter go check the flight status" but she did it wrong the first time so she sent her back again and again because she just didn't get her the right information.
The younger daughter was told to complete her homework but didn't understand how to work out the math problems. More complaints. More yelling. I considered offering my tutoring services so she could grab one last cocktail before losing her britches. I felt for the husband who was being kicked around and cussed at. I felt for the girls who were being used for their mothers laziness. I felt for the girl who truly couldn't concentrate in a busy airport trying to complete math homework that she didn't even understand yet no one would explain it to her. I'm not a parent yet. But I have my patience tested every day with children. And please, just a word of advice, choose your battles. Do you need to throw a fit about your child's handwriting when she literally is writing with an unsharpened pencil without anything under the paper to write on....in public! If I were to have counted she was probably 100 positive comments in debt. It bothered me that is all. Vent over.
This all being said I was blessed to have been gifted a book that was written by a woman who I frequent her blog entries. They are hysterical and so witty. I had come across her section in Barnes and noble during our last trip to the bookstore and Brice got me a copy for Valentines day. The book, SEVEN was written by Jen Hatmaker. This almost diary-like novel is centered on living simply. Decluttering life's unnecessary things to leave room, time, and life for God. I, not being much of a reader, was proud to have finished this beautifully written book this weekend. She discusses minimizing media, stress, waste, and spending. She fasts for a month limiting herself to only 7 foods. She prays seven prayers throughout the day. All while making more time and a better meaning to serving The Lord. I don't think reading this book could have come at a better time. I am coming back to reality more motivated and spirited then ever (I made a small exception for my positive outlook when I was seated in the middle seat on the way home and Mr. Aisle seat thought he was good enough for both arm-rests. So audience, remember: the middle seater has both left and right personal space bubbles popped so please be courteous and give up the arm rest or even half of the arm rest. I was kind enough to remind my com rad of this). I highly recommend this book (or you can borrow my copy). It's crazy funny and so full of meaning.
I'm not only thankful I got to spend this meaningful time with mi madre but really got to learn about myself independently. I've matured so much in the last 2 years. Making a career out of what I love to do, building a relationship with the person I love so dearly, becoming financially stable (regardless of freakishly ridiculous student loans), and enjoying our little family in our 900 square foot apartment with my 2 boys. This was the picture that was sent to me on day 2 in Mexico.
I'm still goofy and in my opinion, hysterically funny, but who's to judge. I'm still a daughter and sister and friend. I still sunburn even though I coat myself with 70 SPF. But I'm so ready to begin my new journey as a wife. I'm ready to see what our future holds. God has given me more than enough, including this beautiful sunrise this morning
And someone who has long awaited your return
Thanks mom to making memories with me this weekend! Now....BRING ON THE WEDDING!!!!!
