Andrew and some of his buddies from college get together for “Man’s Weekend” every March. It is one of major highlights of Andrew’s year. While I’m always sad to be without him for the weekend, I’ve come to have my own routine during “Man’s Weekend” that I look forward to each year. So while Andrew is off measuring the length of his beard and talking sports this is what I’ll be up to . . .
Friday Evening: I have dinner with some girl friends I haven’t seen in a while. We eat some kind of Italian dish, maybe even one without meat, and sip something refreshing like sparkling apple cider or white wine. After dinner we watch a movie. This year it will probably be
Saturday Morning: I’m up early. I’ve been thinking about this day for months. I’ve planned my route of shopping very carefully. There is a mix of my favorite clothing stores and places I like to shop for the house. I have specific items I want to look at in some stores, and in others I just wander around in what some might call an “aimless” way. I don’t feel any pressure to leave a store before I’ve seen everything inside. If I stay in one store longer than I thought it’s ok, there isn’t anyone reminding me of kick-offs, tip-offs, or tee-offs that I have to get home to.
Saturday Afternoon: I’ve had a fruit and cheese plate for lunch and now I’m ready to organize! Back home with my packages, I attack the bedroom closet. This is my one chance to get at Andrew’s T-shirt collection. Now that we’ve been married for four years I can safely toss a few shirts that I’ve never seen him wear. I know not to touch anything with Headhunters or TTU on it, but the accumulated camp t-shirts and random restaurant T’s are starting to thin out. If I feel crazy I might even get rid of a hooddie. I fold everything neatly on shelves or in drawers. There is a small temptation to take a picture, just so I can remember this moment in two weeks when everything is out of place again, but I squelch it in favor of living in the now.
Saturday Evening: I stay at home. Tonight is about ice cream, ill fitting PJ’s, fluffy socks, and my hair in a very messy pony tail. I paint my toe nails, listen to Celine without any mocking, and watch another romantic comedy. I fall asleep in the middle of the bed with a Christian novel clutched in my hand.
Sunday Morning: Church is over and I’m starting to feel a bit restless. I might even turn ESPN on just to feel normal. I look at my perfectly clean house and wonder what isn’t right. I start to check the clock regularly and the novel in my hand begins to loose its appeal. When I hear the garage door open I jump to my feet and realize that I’m more excited now than I have been all weekend!
