Pre-Birthday Girl's Night Out

The A Team.

That's who we are.  Mother, daughter, daughter-in-law.

A delicious restaurant.  Stunning architecture. Glass enclosed central fireplace. Open. Airy.  The best service I have had in years. And a Colombian-Cuban waiter.  What a performance!

My first thought was that he was Spanish speaking but the dialectic, well, I just couldn't pin it down.  Exotic for sure.

Here we were.  Our first outing together. We all used to live in three separate states.  Now we are in two. Bridging the gap.  We see each other more now.  This time, there are no men, no children, just us.  A first of many.

Sharing life's journey.  And lots of stories.  Funny stories.  Worrisome ones. Raising children.  Hearing what stands out in your child's memory book.  

The family matriarch shares her dating stories.  The women want to know more.

"He's not making a move, but he is interested."

"Yes, he IS interested," the women chimed in.

"Invite him for coffee."

"Agreed.  No attachments, just coffee."

"Honey, it's a generational thing.  I can't do that.  I scared."

The laughter was shared among the generations.  The talk turned quickly to raising children.  Daycare.  Work and family.  The joy of hoteling it. 

"Nothing, absolutely nothing to do," the women said smiling.

"No one is asking anything of us."

They admitted they loved being by themselves in a hotel.  A chance for quiet.  Lots of mindless TV.  More quiet. Nothingness.  Ahhh.

The generations got closer.  The matriarch listened.  Remembering.  I didn't have all that busyness. Being home raising children makes some things easier.  Scheduling for sure.  Toss in college, grad school, moving every few years.

"I wish I had grown up in the same home."

We moved a lot.  It wasn't my choice I thought.

"You seemed to love every adventure, Mom."

"I made it work.  There is adventure in everything.  You just have to look."

"I like going back to my room in parent's house," one said.

"I did, too," I said.

The desserts arrived.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondant, Toasted Marshmallow, Peanut Brittle
   Grape Caramel, Graham Cracker Crumble

We got quiet.  More than delicious.  The conversation covered childhood friends, family experiences, laughter. 

We wondered who would take the last bite.  We soon found out.  It wasn't me.  This time.

Thanks ladies.  It was a wonderful pre-birthday family girl's night out. Muaaawhhh!