I’ve never been one who would go see a movie alone or go to a restaurant alone. It always seemed like a lonely thing to do. To make this vacation work, we’ve had to divide on conquer. So one of us has been staying back in the room with Courtney while the other one eats. Then we switch. Typically Alyssa joins me. Not tonight.

We are making memories this trip. We are having fun and there are smiles in pictures to show it.

What I’ve been hiding from the pictures is the scratches, bruises and bite marks we each have on our bodies.

When tonight got tough again, Joe insisted that I take an hour break from the girls and go to dinner on my own.

It was out of my comfort zone but it was needed. I enjoyed my meal. No interruptions. Relaxing. I took time to enjoy both the food, drink and the sites around me.

Thank you, Joe, for not letting me back out.