Weekend in paradise

What a weekend. One of those weekends that you wish you could relive over and over again. A weekend that passed too quickly, and that left me breathless and exhausted in time for the work week to begin. A whirlwind of family, celebration, food, cocktails, hugs, scenery, cocktails, dancing, reminiscing, cocktails, freedom, playing dress up and did I mention cocktails?

This was the weekend of my cousin Rachel's wedding. My mother, stepfather, sister, and brother in law, flew in for the festivities. This was no ordinary wedding. This was a very elegant, elaborate affair at The Ritz in Half Moon Bay. In a word, Beautiful. I drove up sans husband and children on Friday afternoon for the rehearsal dinner. This was a lovely event. Fantastic Greek food, wine and great company. But if I am to be honest with you, the very best part of the whole day was the fact that I had a hotel room all to myself for 24 joyful hours. No we did not stay at the Ritz, but the Best Western, which was kindly paid for by my parents. It was actually the nicest Best Western I have ever set eyes on. I guess that is what you get in Half Moon Bay. After the dinner I came back to a clean, totally peaceful room. A remote control with my name on it. A bed just for me. I watched smut on television. The kind of stuff my husband would cringe at. I turned out the lights at 10:30 and did not get out of bed until 8:45, which is just about a world record for a mom of two under five. I dressed and went out for a run along the coast. I jogged to the sound of waves crashing and watched the fog roll over the ocean. Serene. Cozy. Bliss. After my jog I grabbed coffee and a bagel which I enjoyed on the patio of my hotel room while reading USA Today. (More trash).

It was the most relaxing morning I have had in years. Years.

The rest of the day was spent with my family, wondering the quaint main street area, lunching and sight seeing.

Then it was time for the main event. We dressed and arrived in time for family photos. We watched the bridal party snap shot after shot of magazine worthy photographs. Rachel was gorgeous. We sipped $16 fruity drinks and awaited for my husband to arrive. Our anniversary. What a way to celebrate.

He arrived looking handsome in his one and only suit, reserved for such occasions. The rest of the evening passed quickly. A light-hearted, sweet ceremony, exquisite colorful bouquets of flowers. A backdrop of the sea, waves crashing on the cliffs. There were delectable appetizers, and free flowing drinks. We danced to 80's pop, and the DJ played our own wedding song, Louis Armstrong, A kiss to build a dream on. Eleven years ago, this was our day.

It was amazing to spend time with my family like this. Most of our visits together are harried, balancing the needs of which ever kid is screaming the loudest. Wiping noses, changing diapers, cleaning dishes. This was different. Time for the grown ups to connect and chat and celebrate love and romance.

And now it is over. My sister and her husband have boarded a plane and are headed for home. My parents will follow suit tomorrow.

The house will be somehow empty, and everything a bit too quiet. Our day to day lives resume. But we will always have Half Moon Bay.