The one about the honeymoon

Molly — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:04:41 +0000

Now the jet lag has started to pass and the first day back at work is over, Cuba seems like a distant dream away.

This time last week I had just left Havana with the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine and was trying hard to quell a large lump in my throat at the thought of being away from Frog for four more days.

Funny how a Mojito can solve all sorts of problems, even short-term homesickness.

So. The honeymoon.

Here’s how it started…

With a little bit of this thrown in…

It turns out the stress of getting lost on the way to the airport and arriving at check-in with just 5 minutes to spare isn’t good for pre-holiday relaxation. Luckily though, that’s an issue easily cured by gin and tonic and sleep.

Once in Cuba, Havana was our friend for a couple of nights. We ate lobster, drank beer, Mojitos and Daquiris (not all at once, obviously) and explored.

If you happen to pass through Havana any time soon, I highly recommend El Floridita, Ernest Hemingway’s former haunt and home to the mighty Daquiri. Obispa (the road connecting Old and Central Havana) is also great for a wander and lots of live salsa in the street.

Havana ensnared us both – we fell head over heels for the place. One day we’d love to go back, with Frog in tow.

After the city lights, we headed to the beach. For sun, more Mojitos and plenty of relaxation. Bliss.

We spent Valentine’s Evening on the beach, with champagne. And a random bride…

But the best thing about the holiday? The thing that beat everything else hands down? Spending time with the NLM. Just the two of us. Even if I did have to put up with some terrible jokes.

But don’t worry Frog. You can come next time.

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Would you go abroad without your children?

Molly — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:10:34 +0000

: Photo Credit: Trislander Sunset by Neil Howard

Tomorrow morning I am going to board a plane and fly 4,652 miles to Havana, Cuba. Without my daughter.

I’ll be with my husband. But not my 19 month old child. We’re leaving her at home with her grandparents.

I’ve written about going on holiday sans children before. But back then, we were only going an hour down the road. This time there’ll be water between us. Lots and lots of water.

The thing is, when I was pregnant, I could never imagine going on holiday without my baby. The thought actually riled me. I mean, what kind of parent leaves their child to go off on a jolly? How could you do that?

But then I became a mum and I realised how little time there was left just for me, us, Frog’s mum and dad. Life became about work, babies, work and babies. With possibly the odd supermarket shop thrown in.

So when we were planning our wedding, we decided we needed to try and reclaim some of that “us” back. Even if it was only for a few days.

That’s exactly what we did when we went on a short break back in October. It gave us space together as a couple, to remember why we enjoy each other’s company. Granted, we talked a lot about Frog, but we also reminded ourselves of why we loved each other enough to become parents together in the first place.

And that made us appreciate being a mum and dad even more in the long run.

That break was almost like a trial run for the one that begins tomorrow. The week we will be abroad is a special one. It’s our honeymoon. It’s likely to be the last holiday we will go on without children for a very long time.

And it couldn’t come at a better time. With my new job, I get to see the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine for about 5 minutes a day Monday to Friday. Weekends are our time together, but obviously Frog is part of the equation then too. We never get time just to ourselves. So this holiday is a time to become a couple again.

I’m looking forward to it. But I’m also nervous. I know Frog is in safe hands. I know she’ll have a wonderful time with her “Mar Mar” and “Dar Dar”. But I also know I’m going to miss her.

I just hope I don’t pine for her to the point that it hurts and I can’t enjoy the beach and cocktails…

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Mother's Always Right » Havana

The one about the honeymoon

Would you go abroad without your children?