Halcyon Hiatus

We celebrated Hubby's birthday a couple of months back with a weekend retreat in nearby Bintan - just for one night, just the 2 of us and without the kids. It was a decision I made for him - not to bring the kids along and revel in our couplehood. He was rather reluctant initially and kept persuading me to bring the Bees along. I would usually acquiesce as we typically could not bear to leave the kids over the weekend with my parents. However, this time, perhaps due to his birthday celebration, I stood firm with my decision, albeit with much pain in the heart at spending a precious weekend away from our darling Bees.

On the way there on a Saturday afternoon, Hubby and I were still talking about how bad we felt at leaving the kids behind and not bringing them along for a little escapism. However, once we settled into the lush lifestyle of the resort, connecting our souls with nothing but sun, sea and the quietness of the beach, we began to unwind and appreciate our time with each other. Idyllic chats with minimal interruptions, long alfresco meals with the enchanting sound of the waves and an amorous 4-piece band crooning Indonesian island songs to tranquilize our minds into a romantic state of art, aimless walks by the beach hand-in-hand, companionable silence reading beside each other right in front of the vast endless ocean.

It was magical. Despite it being just one night, it reconnected us together and created another strong pillar in the foundation of our marriage. For we were able to take a short reprieve from being frazzled parents with no time to chat with each other to having the full luxury of 24 hours to truly savour the reasons of why we are married to each other in the first place.

Despite the initial trepidation of leaving the kids behind for one night, this short getaway was well worth it. It is also a wonderful gift to the kids, for a happy marriage is the best present for our children, really.