About 5 years ago I decided it would be fun to gather some of my favourite female friends for a weekend at a wonderful retreat near my home. I called the woman who owns this retreat and she said she could accommodate up to 9 and that we’d get a special rate for that number.
So I emailed about 14 female friends – some old friends, some new friends, even some women I’d known since my childhood! A lot of them had excuses as to why they couldn’t come – their husbands needed them too much, their children needed them too much, they couldn’t afford it, etc. etc. Luckily though I was able to convince 8 of them to join me and we had a blast!!
So much so, that we’ve done it every year since! Our weekend takes place in the fall – any time between September and November depending on when we all agree on. We meet at "our" retreat on Friday evening in time to catch up with each other and enjoy a wonderful vegetarian meal prepared by the hostess of the retreat. Our weekends include 2 yoga classes (one each morning), wonderful meals (all vegetarian, amazingly healthy and oh so delicious), long walks in the woods and lots of talking and laughing. This year one of my friends brought Christmas ornament crafts for all of us, another brought board games to amuse us on Saturday night. After our yoga lesson and a wonderful Sunday breakfast we leisurely get ready for the journey home again, as some of my friends travel 3 or more hours to this event!
The group has changed over the years although there is a core group of 3 of us who haven’t missed a single year! Every year I come away from the weekend refreshed and revived and grateful for the wonderful female friends that I am so lucky to have!!
I’d love to share a photo with you but my friends would kill me! We wear our most comfortable clothing on our weekends and make up is definitely optional!
Michelle is an urbanmoms.ca member and mom to two daughters, aged 20 and 18. She enjoys sharing her experience as a mom with other members as "someone who has gone through it all, not that long ago!"
Thanks Michelle. I had never actually thought of a retreat. My girlfriends and I are pretty good at the “night” out but an actual weekend with everything organized for us – what a great idea. And I love the yoga. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a great tradition, Michelle and a great escape from the madness of motherhood! Thanks for sharing.