Independent Jen

Jen time. I think my husband is better than any husband I could ever deserve, and better than the best match for me I ever dreamed up. However, I still LOVE my Jen time. When we were dating, Ben would call me "Independent Jen" whenever I'd ask for a day off from phone calls (yes, even when we were long distance dating). I'd say "I need a Jen day" or "I need Jen time". See, it isn't about Ben at all, it's about me. I mean, I was single a long time and personal space was hard to give up!

So, fast forward 3 years into our marriage. My need for Jen time is less, but does still creep up. And Ben is good about giving me space, or not complaining if I disappear for a day running errands. Or "get lost" in Target or Wal-Mart.... for hours.

Please don't think ill of me when I get excited about my honey bunches going away to Florida for a business trip in the morning. Or that I asked him to call me just ONCE while he's gone. This annual business trip is the only three and a half days we spend apart each year. Pretty much, except if I head to Baltimore for a quick weekend. He's just gone from Wednesday morning until Saturday evening. And, for me, nothing could be better for our relationship. I think they created the saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" with me in mind.

Freedom! Imagine! Three and a half days where the house cleanliness and picked-up-ness is only affected by me. No dishes miraculously appearing in the sink and no newspapers spontaneously appearing all over the living room. And where I get to do my own schedule, based on my own wants and whims, and without regard to what's best for or most desired by my husband.

Now, just you wait. By Saturday I'll be checking my watch every few minutes to see how much longer until Ben's plane lands or until Ben drives into our garage! (Seriously. I think if you look to my blog entry from a year ago, you will see that is exactly what happened last August!)

But for the moment, at least, I'm very excited about my Jen time and having the house all to my self. (-;