A Weekend Full of Surprises. Except Love, Actually

It is hard enough dating as a single mom, but add in dating someone who travels extensively for work, it can be frustrating at times. When The Boyfriend is in town, we work our schedules to ensure we have a lot of quality time together. It helps, but seeing each other three days in a week before he leaves doesn’t ease the feeling of missing him so much when he is away for almost two weeks in a city with a seven hour time difference and working long days. We do make it work though because this relationship is important to both of us.

I have found ways to keep my mind off the gaps in seeing each other that works well for both of us.

• I make soup.
• I obsessively plan our next weekend together.

Actually, only the first activity benefits both of us. Each batch of soup involves freezing a container for The Boyfriend. He returned from this recent trip with a stocked freezer, which any single guy would love.

The second item? Not so much. He handled the situation beautifully though. With each call to me while away, I would tell him two more things I thought of that we could do this weekend. It was obviously my way of looking forward and not missing him so much. Concerned that we were up to 30 activities for a 3 day period, The Boyfriend took control. One night he shifted responsibility. Here’s what happened:

Boyfriend: “Babe, why don’t you let me plan everything for this coming weekend?”

Me: “Um, okay. But I had a lot already planned for us.”

Boyfriend: “Exactly.”

I admit I had too much planned; not in a bossy way, more in an I’m-excited-to-see-you way. I know he knows that too, but I also know he wants to have a nice balance to the weekend, which would be impossible with the itinerary planned for this weekend.

He was right to usurp my planning responsibility. I am actually looking forward to a weekend without knowing anything about the weekend, but it is also driving me crazy because I don’t know. My attempt to get details from him has been unsuccessful.

I have asked what I should pack.

This led to a thorough list of what I should pack, but did not tell me anything about our weekend activities, other than we are not going to a formal ball, swimming or snowshoeing. That is all I could surmise from the clothing list.

I have asked what we are eating.

Are we cooking at home? Should I plan to bring anything for dinner? I was not able to glean any important information from this question either.

I am not sure how this happened, but my favorite holiday movie, Love, Actually, found it’s way into my weekend bag. If there’s some downtime I am sure The Boyfriend will appreciate having an option for us to watch a movie one evening.

Did I mention The Boyfriend doesn’t believe I am okay with him planning the entire weekend? That is simply not true. He isn’t being fair about this. Really. Because of his skepticism though, I know he won’t be surprised when the movie is placed prominently next to the TV tonight. He’s expecting something like this from me.

Seriously, it really doesn’t matter what we do*. I do mean that. The Boyfriend might not agree, but it is the truth.

• Getting up in the morning to run on the National Mall
• Afternoon naps
• Walking from church to the Dupont farmer’s market to shop
• Long, leisurely lunches at a cafe
• Holding his hand and stealing a kiss as we walk in the city
• Curled up with him reading

These are the activities I cherish most.

For Song of the Week I am sharing a song from the Love, Actually soundtrack. Enjoy “Christmas is All Around.”

httpv://youtu.be/NEgiTM0d8kQ

Best holiday movie ever.

Watch it this season.

Happy Friday!

*Provided we watch Love, Actually this weekend.

 Photo Credit