On the surface the two couples seemed to be too different to have much in common; but, as they say, looks can be deceiving.
Darren and Jane on one hand were the quintessential urban family couple. Expressive, vocal, involved, engaged -- the best way to describe them both was "Larger than Life". They coached, managed and volunteered countless hours over the years with the kids' sports. They were tireless fundraisers for charities and good-causes all over the place. Always busy, always doing, always larger than life.
Rob and Barb, on the other hand were much, much quieter. They kept to themselves, didn't makes waves, were great sports parents but preferred to keep in the background and keep their family matters more private. They were great people, just not "out there" like their good friends.
The only thing that these two couples really had in common was their kids -- the younger ones to be exact. Both couples had older sons that had completely different interests, but the girls, Catherine and Amy, met on the soccer pitch and started a friendship that spilled over to hockey and brought these two very different families together. As the girls grew up the two families had a great, comfortable relationship; never spending too much time together, but meeting up regularly to trade war stories as the girls hockey paths went in different directions. Darren and Jane appreciated the calm counsel and away-from-the-rat-race quiet that an evening with their friends brought while Rob and Barb loved to live vicariously through the couple that always seemed to be doing something.
But..change was in the air. The two boys had been away at school for a couple of years, but Catherine and Amy had just left home to go off to university -- both on hockey scholarships and at two rival schools about two hours apart and about 4 hours from home. While both couples figured that their kids would come home to live for a while after university (don't they all!), the four parents were all, at least temporarily, empty nesters.
It was a beautiful, late summer day and the two couples had finally re-connected after the frenzied period of getting kids off to college and coming to terms with the fact that they had to let go and couldn't be there to help. Once the four of them (the moms especially) had worked through their anxiety and supposed loss of "purpose", they all realized that they could finally become more couple-centred and hedonistic and the possibilities seemed endless. As they sat around in Darren and Jane's kitchen preparing dinner they traded stories about how their lives had changed already.
"I have so much more room in my basement now that all that hockey equipment is gone -- AND it smells wayyy better!" was Jane's observation.
"Yeah, and it seems so weird to not run into the house, stuff a sandwich down my throat and run right back out to a game or practice", said Barb. "How bout you Darren? What's the thing you notice the most?"
"You'll just laugh when I tell you."
"No we won't, I promise! Well, maybe not!"
"Well, I appreciate not having to constantly walk around with a towel on after I shower! Once I dry off, if I want to go to the fridge to get something or read the paper -- whatever, I can do it!" was Darren's response. "Don't get me wrong, I'm no nudist, but it's nice not having to have doors closed, peak around corners when you have to get a towel or put bloody underwear on just to go to bed!"
"I hear you buddy", Rob replied, "It's going to be nice not to have to hear DAAAAD! Gross! All the time"
"You two are pigs; loveable, wonderful pigs, but pigs nonetheless", said Barb, "but I agree, having no kids in the house is taking me a while to process, but I really think I'm going to enjoy it!"
The two couples enjoyed a great meal, catching up as only good friends can, with that pleasant familiarity that makes it seem like they had just seen each other the day before. They talked about how the girls were doing, how the boys were doing and started making plans to travel together when the two girls would face each other for the first time as hockey opponents. After dinner and more wine than any of them would normally drink ("Why the hell not -- after all I don't have to get up to take anyone to the rink tomorrow!') they all repaired to the backyard hot tub after changing into their suits.
It was a perfect night; warm with just a hint of breeze, the air fragrant with the last of the summer roses, a clear, star-filled sky, no bugs to "bug" them and the serenity that comes with knowing that there's nothing pressing that demands your attention.
"Mmmmm, these bubbles always feel sooo good", Barb sighed, "besides seeing you guys, this is always the best part of coming to visit!"