For about a month we have been anticipating the day where we finally slipped away as just the two of us for at least a night all on our own. We decided the only place we wanted to do this was at the Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin, Texas. When we made the plans to head to Texas to see Mike’s family we instantly felt we should take the opportunity to treat ourselves to a short trip to our favorite place to slip-away: Austin. The idea of sleeping through the night without the squeak or cry of a baby or being on duty at night felt like a luxury experience all on its own, but to take time for a prolonged date meant we were going to do it up right. So we made big plans and all that money we haven’t been spending on going out to eat because we live a ways from town and all the money we haven’t been spending on childcare because we have struggled to find the right situation, finally paid off and we invested in a night at the Hotel Saint Cecilia right off of South Congress.
There are many things parenthood has taught us thus far, but one of them is that you go with your gut and you treat yourself whenever possible. This was the opportunity not to hold back. With grandparents willing to take Hayes for over 48 hours we knew if there was a gift we could give to our relationship it was to invest in it by going big on a place we have always wanted to stay.
We have been to Austin many many times and in fact we nearly moved here instead of Michigan because in so many ways it feels like a second home to us. We love the town. We love the people. We love the culture. We love the creativity. We love the activity. We love how the city centers on getting outside, doing your thing your way, and it still has all the bits of Texas culture we adore and that feel like home to Mike.
So, on we went for our night away to this wonderful town. In all honesty, as I mentioned on Monday, I needed this time away. I have struggled to find a clear focus in my career the last few months while I have been finding the “balance” of being a mom and an entrepreneur. Weeks before Mike and I had had a very serious conversation about it all and I had committed to work on finding myself again in this new chapter of my life. I thought I had worked hard not to lose myself in motherhood, but I found my heart desired so much to care for Hayes and be everything he needed I had slowly lost perspective on the other thing I loved, my career. It was hard to admit, but I knew this time away would serve me well in finding my center again.
When we got into town we instantly wanted to make the most of our time away and hit up our favorite shops such as Spartan and JM Drygoods. We also had By George and Uncommon Objects on the list as well. A classics we always love to swing into. We picked up some things and just indulged a little. There is such a luxury to shopping with a baby and I feel like I forgot about it. Walking through those spaces I felt so much of myself coming back. I found myself taking it all in and finding inspiration everywhere we looked.
After shopping, we fueled up with some lunch at Epicerie with Mike’s brother. The meal was amazing and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for some afternoon Rosé and sitting on their porch.
Before dinner we checked into the Hotel Saint Cecilia to clean up and get ready for a night out together. Since having Hayes I haven’t drank much more than a glass of wine a night. I haven’t had liquor or a cocktail in over two years now and in all honesty I stopped craving it. I love a beer or a glass of wine, but much more than that just isn’t something I desire anymore. But! Hotel Saint Cecilia may possibly have the best Margarita you will ever experience so Mike and I made sure we got one to share so I could sip some even though I couldn’t handle a whole one.
Every square inch of this hotel is amazing. It’s just as gorgeous as those hotels in Flagstaff. I love places that are so thoroughly thought out and purposeful. The hotel combines these beautiful modern touches with very bohemian pieces while embracing the landscape that is specifically Austin. It combines so many classic elements from the 60’s and 70’s so it feels retro while many of the other details are classic and modern. I have always found that combining things this way creates a timeless design that seems to transcend trend.
Our room was one of the 5 suites at the hotel. Since it was a slower few days we got lucky on getting one of these rooms. The porch attached to our room was something of magic covered in indigo pillows and overlooking the bar patio of the hotel.
The whole room used neutrals and bright pops of primary colors to create a vintage and classic vibe that nearly anyone would appreciate.
Before dinner, we washed off the two-hour drive and hours of shopping and wandering the city. We got cleaned up and ready for our night out together, which was the first we have had since moving back to Michigan.
Since we spend so much time together because of work and co-parenting Hayes we sometimes forget the importance of dedicating time to just us. It can feel like we are seeing so much of each other, but when you don’t just go out on a date sometimes you can miss that wonderful moment of just being you as a couple instead of everything else. It was much needed to have this dedicated time together.
Before we went to bed we ordered in a breakfast. It was on the pricey end of breakfast in Austin, but I wanted nothing more than to have a quiet breakfast in my robe on that magical patio for as long as we possibly could. So at 8 AM (yes that is sleeping in for us…HA!) we woke to a hot breakfast delivered to our room.
I love being a mom and I love being a parent especially with Mike, but it was the most rejuvenating thing to sit there amongst the cool morning in Austin on that patio waking slowly and quietly with no demands. It felt like heaven and like I had waited nearly my whole life for this one little moment of bliss.
We lingered as long as we could before needing to check out and make the drive back to Austin. But we are sure that this won’t be our last tie we take time away together at this beautiful and special place.
I have a feeling it will become a wonderful treat and tradition to our visits to Texas to stop at the Hotel Saint Cecilia. Getting away to a like this was everything we needed as a couple. I needed it more than I actually thought I did because when I got back the fire I had been missing had come back. I felt as if the fog had cleared and I saw my dreams and career in a whole new way. I felt I saw my relationship with Hayes as his mother differently. I saw that he is okay without me for a short period of time and I am okay without him for a short period of time.
I am so happy we took this trip and even more glad we got to share a little bit with you guys as well.
Any of you parents done a getaway like this? Where did you go? What did you do?
