I used to think that the Holy Grail of outings was getting to go to Target BY MYSELF. This kind of outing doesn’t happen very often and is even less often planned when it does. In truth, there is little that can measure up to a leisurely stroll down the school supply aisle where I can inspect each new colored pencil pack and rainbow-colored tack without interruption. UNLESS you’re talking about PLANNING to do this WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
Let’s be clear – I’m not talking about a Target Run here. There will be no agenda. There will be no list. There will be no I-have-to-get-back-home-with-these-groceries-so-I-can-cook-dinner foolishness. NO.
This is an EVENING we’re planning (and looking forward to by an embarrassing amount).
There may be coffee from Starbucks carried gleefully down the aisles while we chat about what’s new in the home section. There may be staged vignettes of the BEAUTIFUL things they’re doing in the outdoor area. There may be selfies. I will try on shoes I don’t plan to purchase. We’ll discuss where I *could* wear them if I did. I’ll debate a new kitchen tool, then ultimately decide against it because of our conversations on minimalism. Yet, I’ll buy that door mat I’ve been debating on during the last five visits because there’ll be someone there to rightly push me over the edge with the “It’s JUST $12.” I’ve been needing to hear out loud. I may purchase a new food item based upon the recommendation of someone that can point to it on the shelf instead of half-remember it in a passing conversation while we’re both chasing unruly children.
Yes. All of us have children.
Yes. Time away is precious. And muti-tasking is super-important, so it’s more than a little likely that each of us will come home with something absolutely useful or more arguably VITAL for the people we love in our home. But do you know what else is VITAL? Time with friends when you’re a mother. Target is the scene, man. Target is the mall when I was 13. I’ll see you there, girls, pushing my own buggy and everything. I can’t wait.
