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| Mom's day off didn't go as planned, but the three daughters made mom's birthday even more special. / Courtesy of Jane Han |
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Mom's day off ― these three words are enough to make any mom's heart skip a beat out of pure excitement.
I can't remember the last time I had anything remotely close to a day off.
So with yesterday being my birthday, my husband kindly insisted that I be given the platinum day-off privilege.
Unfortunately, his work schedule didn't allow him to come home early to completely free me from my daily responsibilities, so I was told to "do nothing" for about three hours in the afternoon till all three girls go to bed at 9 p.m.
Three hours may not sound like a significant amount of time for ordinary people. But for a tired and desperate mom with three wild kids, it is plenty enough to regain sanity.
And so the freedom began at precisely 6 p.m. when my husband walked in the door.
Well, not so fast.
Just two minutes into the mini vacation time, as I was changing clothes to rush myself out of the house as quick as I possibly could, the twins came racing into my closet to interrogate me about my whereabouts.
Question after question, they asked me why I'm changing when they're not changing.
The so sad look on their face hit my softest mommy spot and, I hate myself for this, but I decided to stay home cooped up in my room instead of leaving the premises.
My husband seemed to secretly love my decision since he now has a fall back plan.
Nice try.
I said I won't be coming out of the room unless the house is on fire.
I lay down on my bed, did a little catching up on days-old e-mails and social media for about 30 minutes or so.
The time was too precious for me to waste away like that, so I closed my eyes and tried getting some much-needed rest.
Being in the dark room without any distractions, the sound of the children playing and my husband interacting with them stood out like never before.
The kids were just so happy that daddy was home early to play with them.
As I heard them giggling, laughing and shouting, I pictured them playing chase and hide-and-seek.
I then heard the stove light up, dishes clatter and fridge door open and close.
I guessed dinner time.
I did my husband a favor and prepped everything for him, so all he had to do was pretty much heat up the food and serve.
As mealtime began, I was beginning to get a little hungry myself.
I thought, "What am I doing in here all alone?"
I started to think that the whole pretend-mom's-not-home idea was getting a little silly since I had even given up the opportunity to leave home.
After a few minutes of contemplating, I quietly walked out of the room and snuck up on the girls while they were picking on their food.
It seemed like they forgot where I was or thought I had left earlier.
I can hear Ellen and Ann repeatedly ask dad where mom is, if mom is sick, if mom is busy, if mom is hungry, if mom is a gazillion other things.
I stood hiding away for a few more seconds, smiling and happily enjoying the moment.
I let out a big monster noise and surprised them from the back, and boy, that was the best birthday gift I got.
All three girls looked like they just got the biggest play kitchen of their dreams (they're really into play kitchen these days). They were beyond ecstatic to see me.
Oh, that feeling you feel when someone is so happy to see you, especially when that someone is your very own.
My husband kept asking me what I wanted for my birthday and I wasn't able to decide.
I really couldn't think of anything in particular, but that unexpected moment was worth so much more than any pair of shoes or a piece of luxury.
After wrapping up my failed, hour-long mom's day off, we dined as a family and indulged in chocolate cake.
Chocolate cake and my three beautiful girls; so what more can I ask for?
Happy birthday to me and another attempt at a mom's day off later.
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