Girl’s Night Out

This weekend I did something momentous.  Something I feared was no longer a part of my life.  I went out with my girlfriends!  I know this sounds crazy but I haven’t been out since my first child was born.  I don’t mean out for dinner or a movie I mean OUT.  We got dressed up, put some make-up on, had a cocktail and went out.  I was nervous at first leaving my kids overnight with my mom but once they were gone, the excitement kicked in.

It’s funny, I hadn’t realized how much I missed "me" until that night.  The last 3+ years I have focussed so much on being a mom that I lost sight of myself a bit.  I hear moms, especially those with older kids, talk about how we are still the women we used to be just with kids but I wasn’t so sure.  Looking at my life now it barely resembles the life I had before.  Strangely though, I am still the same person.  So much has changed but at the core, it’s still me.  My night out with the girls brought me back.

There were 5 of us, only 2 of us have kids and my firend’s kids are almost teenagers.  I was sure I would feel like a fish out of water but amazingly, it all came back.  I danced, I laughed, I even flirted (sort of…does a smile count?).  It felt great!  I watched as my single friends "played" the room as I used to and felt so happy to be there but thrilled to be going home to my life once this night was done (no offence, guys).

I think that is really the point.  I learned a valuable lesson.  There are things I miss about my previous self and it is fun to go back and visit or reminisce but I wouldn’t trade my life now for anything.  My night out was a blast!  Thanks girls.  Now, a renewed me can go back to being mom.

Emily is an urban mom to a 10 month old daughter and 3 year old son. She’ll continue to Keep It Cool throughout the summer so check back soon and please share your comments below!