I have been away from my home and my husband for about a week and I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just say it: I don’t want to go back. Quite frankly, if Husband’s birthday wasn’t this coming Friday I’m not sure WHEN I would return.

I have never not missed my husband and my home. I’m not sure what is wrong with me. It worries me, actually. So I emailed a friend of mine to tell her what I was feeling and to get her feedback. I said how much I love my husband, I mean I REALLY love him, but I don’t want to go home. I just want to stay here with my mother. And most importantly, should I be concerned?

Her reply: 

“NAH! You just have a really really good mother. I don’t know what that’s like. And I’ve had a LOT of girls who have good relationships with their mothers much prefer getting help from their moms than from their husbands. I just wonder what it would be like to need your mom…..that’s awesome. Doesn’t mean you don’t love him. Means you just have different needs right now. And that’s totally ok!”

And that was all the validation I needed. 

I will go back home in a few days. I’ll wash sheets and clothes and bake Husband a birthday cake. I’ll be so happy to see him. But when Monday rolls back around and he goes back to work, I’m really going to start missing my mother again.

For anyone who have children and are fortunate enough to live near family, you better show them your gratitude. Unless they’re crazy and/or screwed up and return your kids to you smelling of stale cigarettes. Then you don’t have to be grateful. But for the rest of you … you’re so lucky. Don’t ever take the help you have for granted.