Dilemma

My best friend from college is getting married next May in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and I have been SO excited for multiple reasons. One, Tammy is going to be a beautiful bride, and I am SOOOO thrilled for her and Justin. Two, what an amazing place to get married?? And three, what a perfect time for Eric and I to get away just the two of us...I won't be pregnant or breastfeeding, we have amazing parents who can watch the boys, Eric has a little more choice with his vacation time here (not so much at Vandy unless you knew a year and a half in advance...), etc. I thought we could head up there a little early (or stay after), and enjoy just being us again without having to think about diapers, sippy cups, feeding/nap times, what to wear times three, what to bring to dinner/on the plane/in the car/etc. to entertain our young ones....etc.


Well...Eric and I were talking about it this morning and I mentioned the date again...May 23rd. Pause. Here's where the dilemma comes in and it surprisingly did not even cross my mind before now. That, my friends, is Memorial Day weekend...aka Indy weekend (for the Indy 500). For those who know my husband, you know what that means. Many of you who don't know him may be thinking, what's the big deal? (Others still haven't figured out what the Indy 500 is, nor do they care.) You may be saying, it's just an Indy car race...aren't there other Indy races he can go to? It's not quite like that. It's not JUST the Indy 500 that makes this weekend so special. This is HIS weekend. The one weekend a year for which he truly gets as excited as a teenage girl at a Justin Timberlake concert (wait...really any girl at a JT concert...) I'm not kidding...on the days leading up to Indy, Eric has a constant smile on his face. It honestly makes me happy to see how excited he gets.


It all started when he was 11. He went with his dad. At age 14, he went again and hasn't missed one since. For many years now, his friends have gone as well (friends from childhood and college) and it has evolved into a VERY detailed affair (no time to give you all the details.) It is the ultimate guys weekend, full of camping, sports, grilling out, consuming a few beverages, and not once stopping to take a shower. (He smells real nice when he gets home...a lovely blend of sweat, sunscreen, and beer.)


We plan our May around Indy weekend. In fact, we knew not to get pregnant in August/September in order to avoid a May/June birthdate. We didn't want our child's birthday party competing with Indy weekend every year. :) It's a BIG deal. Something I've never questioned nor complained about. I know how important it is to him.


So, that brings us to the dilemma...Mexican vacation or Indy 500? He hasn't said no...I haven't asked. We may not talk about it anytime soon...


For now, I'm still planning to go. I wouldn't miss it! Anyone up for a girls' weekend in romantic Zihuatanejo, Mexico?? :) I may need a plus 1.