Giving beer goggles a whole new meaning...
Girls night out. Three beautiful words that always seem to light up the faces of whoever utters them. Back in the day, it meant putting on your favorite pair of Seven jeans and going on the prowl for Mr. Right-dancing the night away at your favorite club and eating Jack in the Box at three in the morning.
And when I did find Mr. Right, I was so smitten that I was willing to gain seventy pounds, not once, but TWICE in order to bear him two children. And somewhere along the way I started saying N-O to GNO.
At first, it was because I was pregnant for what seemed like three years straight. During which time I would only stay up past midnight when I was rocking a screaming baby. Or cleaning their throw up off my pajamas. Or trying in vain to fall back asleep after my little darling crawled into our bed, giving me approximately three inches of space. (WHY do they always come to my side?)
And let’s not even bring up those last ten pounds of baby weight that was still firmly cemented on my body, making a mockery of me each time I dared try to squeeze into one of those old GNO tops that still hung in the back of the closet.
But something happened when my youngest turned two. Finally able to get a good night’s sleep, I found the energy to care about more than how I could manipulate my daughter into picking the shortest book on her bookshelf to read that night or how to get my son to eat something other than pasta. And the baby weight? I went on Weight Watchers and rid myself of that damn muffin top that had been plaguing me each time I shoved my ass into those Seven jeans.
I was back, baby! It was time to get my GNO on.
I had GNOed sporadically during what I like to call the “battleground years”. But each time, all I could think of was the hell I would pay the next day. That it would take me a week to recover from staying out too late and having a cocktail or two. Or I’d be so tired that I’d almost fall asleep in my champagne, barely able to hold up my end of the conversation. And while my husband and I attempted to have a date night each month, I found myself daydreaming at dinner about getting a hotel room by myself so I could sleep in peace for a few hours.
Thank God those days were over- I had finally reached the promised land! Well-rested and sporting my pre-prego jeans, I was ready to take on the world!
Happy hour? Bring on the half-priced appetizers!!
Friend just got dumped and needed some girl time to recuperate? I’m your gal!
Want to celebrate your latest promotion? I’ll have the champagne waiting!
The world was my oyster once more. Or at the very least, I was going places where they served oysters instead of chicken strips and fries.
And it was about so much more than just having a glass of wine. It was about reconnecting with the person I was before I had kids-the one who used to play tennis, read three books a week and was the life of the party. And cultivating all those beautiful friendships again that I missed so much. (There’s only so many poo-poo and spit up talks people are willing to have with you!)
While I love my kids and feel incredibly blessed to have them, I’m not ashamed to admit that there’s a part of me that misses my pre-mommy self. And even though I’ll never again be the girl who dances on the tables, (long story!) I like to think that by making time for myself every so often, I’ll find a nice middle ground that both myself and my family can live with. Because I don’t believe that being a great mom means you have to give up who you used to be or the friendships that keep you grounded.
So next time you’re invited to GNO-don’t say N-O. Remember that Mommy needs some me time too. I’ll see you there-I’ll be the one toasting you from across the room.
Do you make time for yourself? Leave a comment and be entered to win one of FOUR copies of Irene Zutell’s breakout novel Pieces of Happily Ever After, an intriguing story about a mom who struggles to find herself after her husband dumps her for an A-list celebrity.
xo, Liz
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I don’t often have the chance to say yes to a GNO but definitely think it’s a good idea!
Gina, I agree! And sometimes it’s even better when you don’t get to go often-then you really look forward to it! xo
I definitely think that it’s hard to force ourselves out the door at times, but it’s always fun once you get there! I try to remember that we need to make room for fun in life.
Hey Liz!
It’s good to hear that I’m not the only one that, after her lil’ one just turned two, finally (FINALLY) feels the need/want for GNOs!! I thought my pre-mommy self who loved girlfriend time would never return….but…it’s back and in full swing.
Take care!
PS – LOVE reading all of your and Lisa’s blogs!
I’m totally up for GNO but trying to get a friend(s) together at the same time is mission impossible . . . 8-(
On my way to National GNO this Thursday night! One great thing about going out with your “girls” is that we’re usually all willing to move the dates/times around at the last minute to accommodate each other. So, even when you think you shouldn’t be going, there’s someone who wants you to be there and is willing to do what it takes to help you get there. :)
National GNO night? I LOVE it! And I agree, A girlfrin’ will do just about anything to make sure another girlfrin’ can make it to GNO! xo
Elisa, I know, we usually have to plan ours at least 6 weeks in advance. But so worth it! =)
Jill!
Thanks so much! =) And I know, I was so happy when my youngest turned two and I found that I actually DID still have a personality. Whew! xo
While I can appreciate your situation – being a single lady, with a very easy going boyfriend, I can tell you that Girls Night Out can also be highly overated – especially, if you get to do it anytime you want.
Basically, this is a bit of a case of “the grass is always greener” which my “mommy” friends and I experience regularly. They appreciate the GNO because they don’t get to do it often – but if they did – it would soon lose its appeal! Just my two cents.
Tina, you are so right! When I was single, I was pretty over going out all the time. And even at my GNO last Friday night, I caught myself thinking that I wouldn’t want to do it all the time. But every once in a while? Fabulous!!!! Thanks so much for your comment!
Sadly, I do not make time for myself!! I am sitting here in front of my laptop in dire need of a shower, a ten pound weight loss plan, some new clothes, a pedicure and a waxing…Lisa can attest to my mom frumpiness! I met her in Chicago face to face and my hair was OUT. OF. CONTROL. Serious frizz action going on.
Can’t wait for our GNO in Cali this summer, though!
CLP, you are crazy girl! Lisa told me you are HOT STUFF. And yes, GNO this summer will ROCK. Can’t wait! xoxoxoxo
Liz, you’ve always had great balance. And PS: You look great in your pre-prego jeans! Better than ever in fact :)
xoxo
Crystal, um… “mom frumpy”—NO! NO! NO! If only we saw ourselves the way others did, right? I thought you were H-O-T with a capital “H”, lady! xoxxo
This was your best blog ever, Liz! Perfection.
Thanks so much Heather! Miss you! Xo
I’m in the single camp as well, and I agree with Tina that GNO can be overrated. But I will admit that any time I get baby fever, I think about what my life will be like after a few kids, and it makes me appreciate the times I can just go out with friends. Or the days I can sleep in until 10am if I want to.
GNO is a necessity & you are sooo right, nice to have all of us back G-N-Oing together! Another upside of GNO, the appreciation you have for your hubby after experiencing first hand what’s out there on the dance floor:).
Lisa & Liz–just heard about the picture of the empty chair (I never received it?!) Thank you SOOOO much for thinking of me! xoxooxo
Love me some GNO and not an ounce of guilt with it. I’ve found it a great way to maintain my friendships outside the usual playdate scene. Sometimes Mommy likes a stiff drink and clothes other then the standard Juicy uniform! Truthfully, I have also been known to hit the mercy button, and declare the GNO a uniform night. In all fairness, I do have twins under 2! Not suprisingly though, my request is met with a welcome YES! Like sitting at home in your cozy sweats, only with better food, drinks, and company! Another testament to how we ladies do whatever necessary to keep the GNO happening :)
Rachel, What I wouldn’t do to be able to sleep in till 10am after a GNO. You go girl! xo
Lisa J, Oh honey, you just took the words right out of my mouth! And there’s no one else I’d rather GNO with than you! =)
Lisa S, You are welcome! And thanks for saying i look better than ever, even if you are lying. I’ll take it! xo
Thea, just the fact that you GNO at all with twins under two is a testament to your awesomeness. Cheers! xo
Liz! This is a great blog! You are so right about it all! I too feel it is so needed to have that girl time with a fun night out. It is hard at times to get yourself out the door without feeling an ounce of guilt about leaving the kids and hubby home, but it is worth it for sure!!! I loved reading this! Thanks for always making me laugh! :) Muah!
My GNO is usually a night going to a scrapbooking crop where we …yeah, scrapbook our childrens lives. Ok it sounds lame…but we love scrapbooking and there is tons of food and gossiping and yeah maybe a little drinking too..shhh…I find this time crucial to my sanity. No matter what is going on in life you just gotta break free of the wee ones (and that hubby) every now and then!
Thanks Patricia! Muah to you too! xo
Erin, I think any girltime without the kids qualifies for GNO for sure! xo
CONGRATS TO JILL, ELISA, ERIN AND CHERYL! You’ve each won a copy of Irene Zutell’s Pieces of Happily Ever After! Thanks to all who commented! xo
Thank you so much!! I can’t wait :)
Liz…spoken from my brain! and I hear you on the “why do they always come to my side?”. I add to that, why do they always want mom? Dad is closer to the door you know.
Having a two year old I am still working on that last *cough* 10? 20?lbs…so still waiting to wear the old GNO clothes. But happy to get a girls night out when I can. Usually with other moms so we try to remember our limits. but there are times!
and luckily I have a hubby who encourages me a GNO here and there. Actually heading off for a GWO – at the beach in a couple weeks!