As a mother that has the opportunity to travel and have some me time, I can greatly appreciate this story by my contributor Ashley, who recently had the opportunity to be away from her child for a few days for the very first time.

The Story of This Mommy’s First Night Away From Home

Thanks to MomStart, I recently took my first trip away from home… ALONE. It was the first time in 14 months (I guess almost 24 months if you really want to get technical about it) that I had been away from my little guy for more 8 hours. If you want to read all about my first flight… and whether or not it was tough for me to walk out the door at home, feel free to check it out on my blog, Momicles. If you just want the juicy details of my night(s) of luxury, stay tuned in here!

Last week, MomStart sent me on what will have to be called (for now) a “secret mission.” I wish I could tell you all about it right now… but I can’t. (Big boo to that.) Instead, I’ll let y’all get to know the personal me a little more… and share my first night away from my baby boy… EVER! I have to say, it could not have been better.

By the time my flight landed in Atlanta, actually made it to the gate, and I hopped (well maybe more like slumped) into my cab, it was already 10:30. However, after hearing the slightest bit of envy in my husband’s voice earlier in the week when I told him where I was staying, I had no problem letting the cabbie know my destination, “The Four Seasons Mid-town, please.” I already had visions of a giant bed, fresh sheets, and (if I was lucky) a giant tub.

As I pulled up to The Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta, I knew I was in for a treat. Come to find out this is the only five star, five diamond hotel in the state! I was of course greeted by a bellman who ever so patiently waited for the super slow credit card machine in the cab. He had already unloaded my bags (which weren’t much since it was just me!), and opened my car door. As he walked me into the hotel and escorted me to the front desk, I tried to take in the amazing scene of the lobby as he welcomed me with small talk and treated me like someone he’d known for years. One thing was for sure as I walked through the marble and brass, grandiose lobby with a staircase worthy of Scarlett O’Hara. I was SO happy that I had chosen to wear brown pants and a “nice” (as in Old Navy clearance… but it had pretty sparkly things on it) shirt. I felt slightly underdressed as it was. Had I been in my usual travel wear of sweats and a t-shirt… EEK! I’m sure they still would have been so kind to me, but I would not have felt so comfortable.

Anyway, after an interaction with the desk clerk (who is actually probably called a hospitality specialist or something like that) that I can describe as nothing besides the BEST customer service I have EVER had… I was off to my room. OH… don’t let me forget that I was escorted around the desk by the “hospitality specialist” and then taken to the man who escorted me to the elevators. Any hesitations that I had before leaving the house were quickly fading away. I felt like a queen! Well… no one was bowing to me or anything… so maybe just like someone really important! =)

I was starving, but first things first. I had to check out my room. Call me a dork, but 4 things blew my mind in my room.

1 – MY NAME WAS ON THE TV! Yes. It does not take much to impress me. My name on the TV though? That was just plain cool.

2 – There was a peach that I was to leave on my bed if I didn’t need the sheets washed each day. Not as cool as the TV, but just the whole tie in to Georgia with the peach was cute. It made me smile.

3 – There was a small bathmat type thing beside the bed. It cracked me up! I’m guessing it was so my feet never had to touch the carpet…? I’m not that germaphobic though. It just made me think of being somewhere fancy enough to through a bathmat beside the bed! Sorry no picture… but here’s the bed! =)

4 – The bathroom… OOOOH the bathroom. There was a glass shower AND a separate, nicely sized tub. I immediately started picturing a quiet, uninterrupted, unrushed bubble bath. (:Sigh:…sorry… just getting caught up in the memory… =))

Anyway, after checking out my room, I headed to “The Park 75 Lounge” at The Four Seasons where I was very much out of place. There were a few tables with 3-4 people at each; all business men. I was definitely out of place. I found myself a nice corner spot (perfect for people watching) and decided on a couple snacks for my late night dinner. After ordering deviled eggs and “jack and cheese” (mac and cheese made with pepper jack cheese), the waitress brought me a snack plate. Had I known that I was going to get such delicious snacks, I would not have ordered ANYTHING. The snack mix was delicious… but the candied pecans (and yes I do say “Pee-cans”) were AMAZING. I pretty much inhaled all of my food… and it was delicious.

I took some time on my way back to my room, enjoyed the sights, and then realized how late it was. It was after midnight in Atlanta! I had to be up the next morning so I knew there would be no time for enjoying that tub that night. (Not to worry… I eventually took full advantage of it…)

As I crawled into my giant bed (my husband and I share a queen, so being alone in a king was AMAZING!) I got a little homesick. No, no, no… not for our lumpy, queen bed in the room where in summer the windows stay open and all of the noise from outside comes in… and not homesick for “the list” that I make in my head at night of what needs to be done the next day… but homesick for that last late-night check I always do on my baby boy. I always sneak into his room, turn down the music playing, make sure the temperature is just right, and pull his blanket(s) up over him. Sometimes, if I’m feeling brave, I even give him a little kiss on the forehead. I really did miss seeing his little sleeping face before I crawled into bed myself. I even missed the mindless TV watching that I do with my husband before bed. I even got a sweet goodnight picture message from my boys. Don’t get me wrong, I was enjoying myself IMMENSELY! How could I not love the opportunity to stay at The Four Seasons Atlanta? It was just enough homesick to know how much I love “my job”, my family, and how lucky I was to have everything that I do… especially this amazing trip to Atlanta. Yes, I was there to work for MomStart… but this was also an extremely relaxing vacation from my full time job as a SAHM. I know most moms don’t have this as their first trip away from home… I am so lucky and I am incredibly thankful for such an opportunity!

So… thanks MomStart for sending me on such a great work trip. Thanks for letting me share my scribbles and rambles with the great MomStart readers… and thanks MomStart readers for caring!

I can’t wait to share more about the “secret mission” that I was on. In the meantime, what was your first night away from your little ones like? Have you had one yet? Were you alone? Leave us a comment. Share your thoughts. =)

If you want to know more about my trip to Atlanta, check me out at Momicles.

Disclosure – My stay was provided to me free of charge by a third party; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Ashley:

Ashley has a background in teaching Kindergarten and working with children K through 8th grade. She is now a SAHM and a very active member of our local MOMS Club chapter. She writes her own blog at Momicles.

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