Costa Rica

About 7 ½ years ago, Ryan and I got married – we talked about taking a real honeymoon and the week after Easter… we did – honeymoon/babymoon/graduation celebration/ rock-your-world-no-kids trip.  My mom came out and took care of the kids while Ryan and I went to Costa Rica – I was so glad she came a few days early – it was so fun to spend some time together, but honestly I was so worried about leaving the kiddos for 8 days (the first time ever for more than 24 hours!) that I think I was a little scattered and distracted mentally and emotionally.  After the first video chat with her and the kids my mind and heart were set at ease.  Bel was as excited to push the button to hang up as she was about talking to her parents – so with my guilt and worry gone I moved on to enjoy some serious rest and relaxation.  When we got home, Bel told Ryan that they had more fun with gramma than we did in Costa Rica – I'm glad it was such a happy week for all of us.

We quickly adapted to the near equatorial sun schedule – sunrise at 5am, sunset at 6pm – we were asleep by 10 (at the latest) and strolling the beach / surfing every morning by 6 (at the latest). 

I wrote how I felt on day 2 of our blissful trip so I'll insert that here...

I heard a study about memory somewhere that talked about why our "firsts" memories and childhood memories are so much more vivid than the ones that follow - we remember the first times : first time skiing, first surprise party, first time to the beach - those kinds of things because our senses are not accustomed to the things we are seeing, hearing and experiencing, we have no prior storage of those kinds and because of this our mind opens a special place for them to be stored and recognized and we get to enjoy the novelty of a new experience.

Here we are in costa rica and while I've been south of the border before and to the beach and what not, this trip is just different and new and thrilling to me in so many ways that I feel like a kid at my first surprise birthday party.  I am completely taken in and enthralled by the warmth and smell and feel of the air that envelopes me, my ears tickle at the sounds of the jungle wildlife, i get a thrill at seeing monkeys climbing in the trees just off the back balcony of our hotel, spying an iguana slinking in the branches and bobbing his head at the approaching competition and the crabs that scurry in and out of little holes around me on the beach.  My first swim in the ocean was alone and free of crowds, spectators and competition for space - the sand felt like walking on warm, wet velvet and the ocean water truly has a texture of it's own, full of salt and sand and swirling currents and bubbles, all tickling you as it pulls you this way and that.

The food, where do i even begin with the food?? I loved every meal we ate there – oh and what do ya know – I also took a photo of every meal.  (this is mostly for myself to look back at and reminisce and for my dad, who frequently sends me photos of what he’s eating... because we bond over food. please note how embarassingly stoked I am in every photo with a plate of food- sheesh).

Best. Diet Coke. Ever.

I felt like I could be on a commercial with the cold, condensation covered, glass bottle in my hand, clinking cheers with my love in a scenic tropical location, tipping the cool cola down my parched throat and sighing a refreshed breath as it flowed into my system, reinvigorating my tired body with its subtle hint of caffeine - Ahhh.  (yes – it was that good)

Let me mention here, that if anyone needs an escort to find this place, Ryan and I may be persuaded to join you because it is tricky to get there and it helps to have a Spanish speaker by your side – I’m just sayin…

I took my mama to the airport and sent her off the day after we got home.  It was a quick farewell and I was sad to see her go, but there have been many happy traces of her presence: her comb in my car, her sweet smelling lotion in my bathroom, leftover cauliflower soup in the fridge (hers is always better than mine), art projects on the wall that I didn’t initiate, wheat grass growing in the kitchen, a sweet note just for us, and my favorite… Bel and Jack keep calling me gramma and sharing the memories of all the things they did together.  There are just some things only a mom can do.  So often I think about myself as the mom and caretaker, but these traces remind me, that my mom is still taking care of me – I still jump at the chance to eat her home cooked meals, lean on her shoulder and listen to a story, and hear her say good night as I curl up in bed – I guess there are some things I’ll never grow out of.  Thanks Mom!

A week in Costa Rica with my honey and some sweet moments with my mom were the most renewing medicine I could ask for at this point in my life.