It only took us two days…
I used to go on really long vacations. Except none of them were really vacations. They were more like adventures(!) and they were grand and full of trains and museums and sightseeing and exhaustion. I never understood the point of taking a trip to a pool or somewhere resorty. What is the point of life if not to LIVE IT! DIVE IN! RUN AROUND LIKE A CRAZY PERSON! SLEEP? NEVER! RELAX, WHAT?
Ah, young Bec, you wonderful thing! You had no idea, did you? You had no idea.
Fast forward to now. Eight years into my relationship with Hal, seven of those years spent with children, all I want to do is fall asleep in a chair next to a body of water. Surrounded by beverages, and scantily clad people. And drinks. And Hal, who was snoring when I took this picture.
I might have been snoring when I took this picture too. Because I was in a cabana and nobody could hear me so why not? And therein lies my new mantra a la vacaciones. If you snore in a cabana and nobody is there to hear you, YOU ARE ON VACATION!
Which brings me to the highlight of our entire trip: the cabana. It was my first time inside of one and I never wanted to leave. Honestly, we almost missed dinner because we were passed out with sandy hair in our little private heaven, drink glasses empty save for a few melted ice cubes and a garnish. AKA we did absolutely nothing for HOURS .
Nothing.
And it felt like everything.
It only took us two days to let go, unwind and recharge. Two days. A weekend. Hal and I spent our entire trip shaking each other by the shoulders asking, “WHY DO WE NOT EVER DO THIS MORE OFTEN OR AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, WHY?”
And then we decided that a weekend getaway, just the two of us, once a year, would be our new thing. Because being together ALONE is pretty much the most important thing a couple can do. For each other. For the family. Hell, for the kids. Because, as we explained to Archer and Fable when they asked why we were going on an airplane without them, “Mommies and Daddies need playdates, too.” Faraway playdates. With cabanas. And lobster bisque. And heavenly beds. And views of oceans. And enlightened golf experiences. And champagne. To do and sit and eat and sleep and gaze and play and drink. Together.
Thank you, Westin Diplomat, for 48 hours of bliss.
Love,
Us.
***
A big thanks to Westin Hotels & Resorts for sponsoring this campaign. Click here to read more of the discussion.
I was the same way; vacation used to be GOGOGOGO but really when all you do is lounge it’s so much more relaxing and recharging
I had never been in a cabana either until last year when my husband and I went to Las Vegas for a few days. We rented one for a few hours and, let me tell you, until you let yourself have a few too many and pass out in a cabana, you don’t know what life is.
@Chelsea YES! I would have never thunk it either. But now I’m hooked.
Every thing about that cabana (quiet, drinks, no kids, etc) sounds like a dream! Also you 2 are such a cute couple!
Love, love the cabana idea! You look like you had an amazing time in one — I defn. want to do this.
What is it about vacations and feeling like they should filled with activities? Sometimes they should be exactly about doing NOTHING! Good job doing just that! :)
Ah, the life of cabanas…i love them too! me and my guy started doing yearly vacations as well..even if its just to a bed & breakfast…its something! do whatever works for your budget but GO!
Having kids changes everything. I also used to crave the fast-paced adventures. No longer. In fact, you can take the kids away, and I’ll enjoy a quiet staycation. (But hey, I’d take Westin up on a stay anytime!)
Great to hear you’re getting into it! And love your bathing suit. :)
i know you feel… 2 days off when i was younger would have been just a tease! now…i’d be MORE than happy with 2 days away!
I’ve been loving your pictures throughout the whole trip and these certainly didn’t disappoint! So glad to hear (and see!) that you and your husband had such a beautiful trip!
Ohmigosh! The cabana looks/sounds AMAZING! How much does something like that cost?? Or did you lucky ducks get it comped? Either way… worth it! :)
Gorgeous pictures and thus, I am currently dreaming of our honeymoon (you know, 4 years after the babies), next October.
That is a great bathing suit! Glad you had such a great time.
OMG nothing. What is that like? I’m not even sure I know how to do nothing! But Lady, I’m seriously encouraged to try. Wow, Westin sure has made your stay spectacular. I need me one of those do-nothing vacations!
“all I want to do is fall asleep in a chair next to a body of water. Surrounded by beverages, and scantily clad people. And drinks.”
yes. this.
My husband and I just did this for the first time, too…almost 6 years into this parenting gig. 24 hours, 1 hour away, resort, pool, cocktails, magazines, naps and dinner out. Wow! Amazing how refreshing that was…we laughed at eachother for the first 15 minutes by the pool because we realized in our 14 years together, we had never seen eachother so…resort-y. :) Cheers to refreshing…
I’m pretty jealous over the cabana deal. Also – I can’t envision doing nothing. I simply can’t. It’s like trying to picture heaven or eternity, your adult mind just shuts down and goes to how much laundry is waiting for you in the other room.
Mike and I used to be really good at going away for a weekend, just the two of us. (We don’t have kids — yet! — but live with my parents, so rarely get any alone time.) We’ve fallen out of that habit and now I’m back to the point where I don’t remember how to relax and do nothing. I wanted to do a long weekend this month but we couldn’t coordinate our schedules (he didn’t get the days off from work and I requested the wrong days). I’m glad for you and Hal, though — you two deserved it!
I’m being totally selfish and taking an entire week away with Cody this fall, but we’ve done the night away thing as well and it was MAGICAL.
Way cheaper than couples therapy in the long run (and far more fun.)
We go somewhere by ourselves at least once a year. It keeps the marriage strong and fun and well, time together, just the two of us is just such a wonderful thing!!
Glad you two kids had a great time. :)
I just LOVE the way you described your trip to your children — we talk to our children about the things Mommies and Daddies need, but, usually we are talking about “good listening.” We had our first-ever get away (unless you count a one-nighter for a wedding and a one-nighter for a funeral) in February and it was magical. Like you, we did a whole lot of nothing! :) The next time we plan a get-away (and there WILL be a next time), I’m going to use your awesome language and tell our children that it is a “Mommy & Daddy play date!”
Thank you for sharing your amazing photos and for reminding us all how important it is to take time as couples!
Weekends away are a MUST for my husband and I. It keeps us sane and insanely in love. Look like the Westin diplomat is a great escape for couple, might have to put this on our list.
Please tell us where you got your bathing suit!!!
I second Dena’s comment. Love that suit. I think it is so important for couples to get away together. Even a date night once a week can do wonders for a relationship. A weekend together without kids sounds like a dream! Glad you two had fun.
Date nights are hard enough, and a weekend getaway feels impossible. But I recently went on a mommy-and-son trip to Florida, and it made me realize how desperately I need some alone time with my husband. And not parked in front of the TV — in a cabana. With drinks. And nothingness. This needs to happen — EVERYTHING you just said.
you know, i have never had one of those cabana thingys but when i see people relaxing in them I am totally filled with envy. It looks like an ideal way to relax and like rest (although at this point i have no idea what those words mean.) I think I need to jet off to a Westin, get a cabana and try to define them.
You are so right – the best thing that couples can do – for the good of everyone involved – is to spend time alone together! And I totally agree – when you actually take the time to get away, and realize how great it is, you want to smack yourself (or your partner) in the forehead and say Why don’t we do this more often!! You have me itching for a getaway with my hubs, preferably one with a cabana!
I want more “nothing that feels like everything” in my life! Sounds HEAVENLY!