“According to MapQuest Panera Bread should be right here.” My daughter slowed her Subaru and we looked to our right. We looked to our left. No Panera Bread. I grabbed my GPS unit and punched in the address. The assured female voice of the GPS told us to turn, to turn, to turn. We did. Walla. We were right back at the same spot MapQuest had brought us. “Okay! Plan B,” I said. And thus went our annual chick weekend.
For more years than we can remember my daughter now 27, and me, now not-27, spend one weekend a year “being” together. The locations have changed, but not the connecting and camaraderie.
Inevitably we have several bouts of uncontrolled laughter, set new traditions, and realize we honest-to-goodness like being with each other. This year took us to Madison, Wisconsin. My daughter had discovered—via her friend Amanda—a nifty lingerie shop and wanted me to experience bras that actually fit and support and feel sexy. All at once!
We stayed at the Arbor House, a Bed and Breakfast dedicated to green living and good food. The Arbor House is conveniently located near an arboretum and a small lake. We had access to free bicycles and a free hour of canoeing or kayaking. Most of our meanderings were within a walk-able distance, which gave us a perfect reason to overeat and over drink. J
The first morning’s breakfast brought us face to face with a number of strangers who were pleasant and politely curious. They wanted to know where we were from and asked why we were in Madison. My daughter eventually explained our annual chick weekend adventure. What startled me was when one of the guests responded, “You’re mother and daughter? We would not have guessed that. You seem to be having such a good time together.” What the heck? Is that unusual? It made me wonder how the world views mother/daughter relationships in general.
The weekend went by in a flash. I’m left with lingering moments that bring a smirk to my face. For instance, wine and appetizers were served at the B&B from 5:30 to 6:30. My daughter and I enjoyed the offerings, schmoozed with a few guests, and then were readying to go to dinner. Somehow as my daughter rose to bring her glass and plate to the table she managed to catch a lamp extension cord between her sandal and foot. The resulting lunging trip and shriek pulled the cord from the socket and brought the room into semi-darkness. It was spectacular. The guests stared agape, and I mutely withheld the laughter raging inside of me. Not a dish or glass object was harmed in the making of this memory. I’m not sure the same can be said for my daughter’s poise.
Can mothers and daughters enjoy each other? Please. Does anyone out there have a favorite amusing moment with their mother or daughter? I’d love to hear about it.
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