My cousin Julie is an actress and model. Tall. Thin. Blonde hair and blue eyes. She’s gorgeous! The kind of woman you see and think, “She’s probably a self centered witch.” to make yourself feel better, but of course, she isn’t. Julie is a lovely person, inside and out. She’s talented, funny, artistic. The kind of person that you know you are truly blessed to have in your life. She makes everyone around her feel great. You WANT to spend time with her.
I am five years older than Julie. We weren’t super close growing up because of the age difference. And we lived eight hours apart. Eighteen and going to college is much different than thirteen and starting high school. Now, post college graduation, all these things start to matter much less. Life experiences become the same, or similar, and your similarities start to outweigh your differences. Soon, the ties that bring you together are more than just family lines. You not only embrace that you are cousins, you learn to love one another as friends. Good friends. Really good friends.
Julie moved to Los Angeles after she graduated college. She was there for five years. She and her husband, Matt, moved back east to Atlanta when she was pregnant with her first, and thus far only, son, Cade. Cade is four months older than Sean. The two boys have, for all intensive purposes, grown up together, minus a few months on either end while they were in utero.
When Julie and I were pregnant we talked about letting the boys have spend the nights. We thought each of us could let the other go on a “proper date”. You know, the kind that includes alcohol, a late night and general over indulgence. At the time a date with ones spouse seemed like a novel concept, particularly because we were fat, tired, whiny pregnant women. Finally, it’s coming to fruition. Of course, neither of the spend the nights have actually yielded a proper date. My night out allowed me to spend time that the Crawford Long ER with Michael, and Julie’s night out was because she was working.
Cade was with us last Friday. He and Sean ran themselves ragged! It was hysterical to watch them. I take this, no you take that, no I’ll take that again. Too much toddler chaos!
One highlight of the day was watching the train go by the house. I think Cade was trying to call his parents to let them know how much fun he was having! Notice the phone in his right hand.
Amidst the chaos, Sean, my little lover, was giving kisses to Cade. Julie laughs at me and tells me that there is one in every class. He’s mine!
Much more playing and insanity, then dinner. After both boys COVERED themselves in Chef Boyardee, Michael and I wisked them off to the bath.
I think they both had a good time!
Michael and I loved every minute with both boys, but were certainly ready for bed time that night.
Maybe next time we have a spend the night, Julie and I will actually be able to have “proper” dates with our husbands! Wish us luck!
