If you know me and BHE at all, you know I’m a flaming
extrovert and he’s an incredible introvert.
They say opposites attract, and in our personality styles, we couldn’t
be more different. Words people use to
describe me are “Loud, Enthusiastic, Energetic, Passionate, & Outgoing”. Words people use to describe BHE are “Smart,
Witty, Quick, Quiet, & Thoughtful”.
We truly are the description of Extrovert and Introvert. It took a while for me to become accustom to
some of the needs of the Introvert and everyone once in a while, like this year’s
epic east coast adventure I forget completely and epically.
I decided it was a good idea for us to do a road trip to the
East Coast of Canada. I’d only been to
Halifax once, and after the beauty of Scotland I wanted to discover the beauty
of our eastern shores. When I mentioned
this in planning to BHE’s mother she exclaimed “oh I’ve always wanted to go to
P.E.I., it’s on my bucket list”.
Normally I’d blurt out an invitation without hesitation, but I kept my
mouth shut until I could discuss it with BHE in private. Would it be okay if she came too? Yep.
Cool! She’s tiny, she can fit in
the back seat with the boys.
Fabulous, 5 people in a CR-V, 4,500 kms, 5 Provinces, 7
hotels in 10 days … BRING IT! I was
stoked. I’d ordered 10’ iPad charging
cables and dual-head lighter adapter charges so the boys could remain plugged
into the matrix. Youngest boy was
properly medicated with gravol and oldest boy sat in the middle so he could
look out the front window, both avoiding car sickness. We took pictures, ate local fare, and took
ferries and bridges, stayed in B&B’s, motels and hotels. Lots of souvenirs shopping, swimming in hotel
pools and laughter ensued. By the time
we returned home, we were exhausted but basking in the good memories.
Then I had a chat with my friend who was looking after our
house while we were away. She, like BHE
is an introvert and she said when I told her about the trip she said it sounded
like a living hell. WHAAATTT? But it was great family bonding time, the
boys were really good, the food was epic …. But that’s me. I thrive on energy, on being around people,
on doing things. DH needs his down time;
he needs to recharge his batteries from the energy sucking extroverts like me
and the boys. I immediately felt so
bad. Why didn’t he say something? Why didn’t he tell me to cut it shorter? I asked my closest group of on line friends
this question and they all agreed, he didn’t because he loves me. He knew that trip was exactly what I wanted
and did whatever was needed to make it happen.
That’s how lucky I am, that he always puts me and my needs first.
So, this week, I’ll get the gifts sent to their father’s for
a couple of days. I’ll do all the
chores, I’ll make sure our home is a calm place where he can recharge and be
able to look back on the vacation with the joy and happiness I have. Next
time, I’ll shorten the trip, fewer places, longer stays at each place and
ensure there’s some quiet down time for him and I together.
