Tonight, I gently cuddled my children as they slept soundly before going to bed myself. It was late, and I was happy to slip under the covers and drift off into the arms of Morpheus.
Yet there was something different in the air—like a scent. Something I wasn’t unfamiliar with, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was exactly.
Tonight, I went out. I went to see a show at a restaurant-pub in my beautiful city. Starring: The Man and his longtime partner, who’s also a very good friend. I went with a couple of friends, and the boys’ teacher and her partner joined us. They were lucky to get a seat—it was packed!
During intermission, I showed them photos of #1, who had visited his new school the day before. Photos of him exploring his classroom, picking out his desk, and putting away his school supplies… First grade is such a big deal in a child’s life!
I took the opportunity to have dinner: a delicious salmon tartare paired with a small glass of Pinot Gris. Pure joy on my table!
When the show was over, I went back home, where the babysitter was waiting for me, looking very relaxed. She gave me a rundown of the evening and left on her scooter, wishing me good night and saying, “See you next time.”
It was a perfect evening. A packed restaurant, good friends at my table, great food and a nice glass of wine, and wonderful live music filling my ears.
My husband and my friend, happy, having lost none of their talent, their enthusiasm, or their passion.
My children were asleep, peaceful after having fun with their babysitter, whom they love so much!
I’ll say it again: a perfect evening.
An evening that smelled wonderful, but that felt different from the past few weeks.
It smelled… like…
It smelled like “normal”—good old routine!