On dating yourself

I think there was something in the air on Friday that was causing small children to rebel against their parents everywhere.  I mean it happened to me, my friend in town, my friend, Chelsea, in IDAHO...so basically that's a lot of places.

Earlier in the week I had expressed to some friends my deep desire to go to a movie all by myself.  This has been greatly appealing for many moons, but really, mainly since I became a mom.  I don't think it would have crossed my mind before.  (Except there were the times I was sad/mad in college and would take the TV into my room to watch Little Women alone. But I really mostly wanted to lay on my bed and pout, so the theatre wouldn't have cut it)  AS LUCK (and brotherly kindness) would have it, I told my friend Bri (in town who also had a rebelling child on friday) again how all I wanted to do was take myself on a movie date and she texted me saturday morn and said "The movie you want to see starts at 11:10am.  Bring your boys over if you want to go!"

Bless that woman forever.

I was late to the theater, but had planned to ask questions to the cashier about how common it was for people to buy 1 ticket and come alone to the movies.  He didn't blink an eye when I said "Just 1", though.

I found my way to theater 9 and snuck in through the door into the dark.  I even sat in the handicap seating, but found it was too close, so I easily grabbed my purse and walked up a few rows.  (I was by myself, remember.  Just me and my purse.)  I got out my water bottle and baggy of chocolate (yes, the sea salt almond "snacking" chocolate from Costco) and propped my feet up on the railing in front of me.

And then, I sat and sucked up every single good moment of me-myself-and I for 2 hours and 2 minutes.  At the end of the movie, I asked my neighbor to take my picture.  This being my first movie alone, I really wanted to document it, and he surely thought I was a little strange (and did NOT laugh at my jokes), but that's fine.

It's not the best picture, as you can see.  But that's me.  Me and a huge, relaxing smile plastered on my face (and maybe some chocolate smudges).

If you're feeling a little burnt out, I highly recommend this activity.

...But I will say that it probably would not have been as enjoyable if the night before, post bed-time, I had not had some uplifting spiritual moments.  Feeling remorseful for my poor motherly behavior and lack of patience and love, I sat to work on a project and listened to this.  It's the first episode in a series called "Enduring it Well" on the Mormon Channel.  All about how having hope & faith in Jesus Christ and His plan can carry us through the hardest of trials.  This episode had me actually sobbing.  I don't really recall a time that I've sobbed recently, but it surely brought upon me seriousness of the great privilege it is to be a Mother and steward over precious souls of our Heavenly Father.  It's about an hour long, and is one of my favorites.  (All of the episodes I've listened to are very uplifting)  Listen while you're driving or in place of a TV show this week.

Now, in the words of my Mother, who, while I was a missionary would write me and say "ROCK ON, MY DEAR!!" at the end of emails (which language and manner of speaking is highly uncharacteristic of her!), I say to you all: May this week you rock on in your duties.  

And then go to a movie by yourself :)