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Raising life beyond routine

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Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Raising life beyond routine


I was in a hormonal fluster the other day, wrangling a toddler who had just thrown food all over the floor and rubbed yoghurt in his hair. It was one of those days when you dream of what you would like to be doing, rather than what you are.

As I wiped food from the floor I looked at my husband and asked “How did our life become so routine?” He grunted in a tone of agreement.

You know what I’m talking about, the golden era of no responsibility, renting as opposed to mortgage, dating as opposed to diapers, Saturday morning sleeping in, waking to do nothing but read, going on dates, planning trips, drinking too much, spending too much, lunching with friends, going to the gym, playing sport, regular massages - all those good first world things.

Routine and commitment can be a dog of a thing, it can certainly be a blight on a relationship.

My husband has never been a ‘romantic’ in the traditional sense. I can’t remember the last time he initiated taking me out to dinner (unless you count KFC drive-thru).

In saying that, he often surprises me by bringing me flowers and peels my prawns so I don't have to touch the icky bits. That's love.

Having something to look forward to as an individual and as a couple is important. It provides an opportunity for anticipation and excitement, the anti-dote to relationship routine funk.

This year, I am booked for a girls weekend in Sydney (because absence makes the heart grow fonder); we have turned a conference trip for work into an extended family get-away; we have booked accommodation for a weekend away for our anniversary, one night of which we will try to spend as a couple; we have tickets for a concert for a band we both love in April; and in September I have another girls weekend booked with tickets for Pink. Finally in October, we will be having a few nights away for a family reunion. None of these things are huge in and of themselves, it is just a weekend here and a night there, but they are all cause for excitement and they’re a break from routine.

So Valentine’s Day is approaching, do you have plans? Something to anticipate, something to get excited about? Flower delivery is a good idea but I imagine that the online florists like Interflora will be busy at this time of year. Something to anticipate, something to get excited about? Can you use this day to lift your heads above the routine and remember what is was like to live life lightly or if you’re still there, to value what you have?

Flowers, chocolates, massages and dinner dates are all cliché, but who doesn't love it? I do.

 This post is brought to you in association with Interflora.

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posted by Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye @ 07:19   26 Comments

26 Comments:

At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , OpenID heartmama.net said...

You are lucky getting flowers! Sounds like you have a beautiful healthy relationship. We don't usually do much on Vday. Our annual date is usually reserved for anniversary night. X

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Lydia C. Lee said...

We have had baby sitter issues (none available) so we are having lunch instead. I love valentine's day. Last few years we've been saving for trips so Valentine's day has just been a dinner at home...I think the small daily gestures outweigh the grand romance gestures. Giving me the coffee he's just made for himself when I walk into the room is more romantic than a contrived "romantic dinner" (though I like eating out so still like the dinner!)

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Anonymous Robomum said...

We don't do Valentines Day, never have.
We do nice things for each other though. Like Lydia above, he makes me a fantastic coffee every day.
For us, it is the small gestures often, rather than the grand gestures once or twice a year.

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Anonymous Twitchy said...

I'm so happy when I read of family couples getting some time away together. The thing is, if you don't make time for it, there is always a danger of drifting apart over time. All this requires work. But little things do count, such as prawns peeled, or your coffee made just perfectly the way you love, in the right mug ;) #teamIBOT

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Deb @ home life simplified said...

YOu are lucky you get flowers - it is one area my hubby is not on top of - he never buys flowers and only recently picked up his game for gifts after 17 years together.

we don't do much for V Day (exchange cards and that is where he does excel!)but go out for my birthday which is on Feb as well. enjoy all your fun plans!

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Anonymous Mrs Holsby said...

Mister H sent a text saying to keep Thursday night free......he booked a restaurant AND organised a sitter, all in secret.
Sadly, he now has to pop over to Holland for a funeral so my dinner is off, but just the thought that we almost went is enough (provided a wacking great big bunch of flowers gets delivered by a hot singing telegram stripper ;-))

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger EssentiallyJess said...

We have a date night once a week, which is quite routine in its own right, and yet we love it.

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , OpenID havealaughonme said...

As a family we are going out for dinner, it's also the day before my bday so we're combining the two because I'm away for the weekend - but I'll be flashing that with you on Friday! It's great you have some nice things planned for the year, it's important to still have a life right?! x

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Sounds wonderful :-)

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Could not agree more. Daily acts of kindness are the glue and cement of any relationship.

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Couldn't agree more :-)

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

You are so right.

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Thanks Deb and you enjoy your V Day card and birthday dinner :-)

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Anonymous Kyla @ Three Quarters Full said...

With our anniversary on the 18th we rarely do anything on Valentines day, too crowded, prices are usually jacked up so we wait until the weekend after our anniversary to spend a quiet night together. I think the random surprise flowers throughout the year and the prawn peeling thing (which my hubby also does - now that is definitely love) are much better than celebrating one random day that has nothing to do with your story (for most people).

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Leigh said...

Girls weekends are so good for the soul!!!! I boycott V day and prefer being spoilt any other time. I hate the forced feeling. Maybe Im just boring? Have a lovely time xx

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

I agree they are good for the soul. One good girls weekend can keep you going for the next six months!

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

I think you might be right, but any opportunity to show someone you care can't be all bad, even if it is just a card of a flower from the garden.

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

Once a week! How lucky are you. We struggle to go on a date once every two months. Must improve on that...

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

So important to still have a life, happy wife, happy life!

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Bree @ Twinkle in the Eye said...

What a sweet heart and what a bummer he had to go! Bring on the flowers and the stripper I say :-)

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Josefa Pete said...

Sounds like you have some great things planned for the year ahead!
I adore those flowers, they are just gorgeous!
No Valentines Day celebrated at this house - was never a huge fan and even less so, once the boys were born!

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Anonymous Kirsty @ My Home Truths said...

So good you have a few special times to look forward to this year Bree. We haven't got anything planned for Valentines Day but it has never been a huge celebration for me. I hope you have a wonderful day!

 
At Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 , Blogger Rachel said...

Oh, now I'm thinking I should book a restaurant, we were just going to do the whole candlelit dinner, movie at home thing but I guess we should put in some effort. Thanks for the inspiration.

 
At Wednesday, 20 February, 2013 , Anonymous Lisa Wood said...

I so cant remember the last time we did anything together as a couple without kids! Valentines Day was the same old same old....
And yep I would love a girly weekend away :)
I would love some Romance in my lifestyle - hubby really takes us out, and if we do go out I have to organise it!

 
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