We Got Stuck With Nuns For 5 Hours…It Was The Best

I just had the best vacation, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

As a busy and stressed dad taking a break from the constant hustle was a much-needed luxury.

Here's why this trip meant so much to us...

This was our first vacation without the kids in almost two years and was long overdue.

The last time we had a kidless trip was during our babymoon before our third and final child arrived. I don’t think it even counts.

That trip was marred by my inability to taste a thing (I had covid) and solo-painting two bedrooms.

This time, however, we embarked on a remarkable adventure that brought us closer together.

Our trip consisted of; getting trapped for five hours in a convent with nuns, witnessing the democratic process, and reconnecting with great friends, we rarely see in person.

We visited the offices of our Senator and House representative and sat in the gallery of both the house and senate to observe democracy.

Other than saying the pledge of allegiance with the House members it wasn’t very impressive.

The house reps spent their time giving shoutouts (bdays and retirement) to constituents from their district.

But what made this trip truly special was the time we spent with our friends, without the constant distractions of kids.

Reconnecting with old pals felt incredible and reminded us of the importance of maintaining those connections.

An unexpected twist occurred when we got stuck in a convent. My wife's best friend from elementary school joined a silent order of nuns.

My wife connected via handwritten letter before our trip to DC and we were invited for dinner (and a whole lot more).

The nuns were surprisingly humorous and heartwarming, adding a unique dimension to our vacation. You bet I cracked a habit (nun's cloak) joke or two.

Spending five days away from our kids was the perfect balance. The first two days allowed us to relax fully, while by the fifth day, we started to miss our little monkeys.

I can't thank my parents and sis enough for enlisting in a tour of caring for our furiously independent kiddos.

And the real magic.

Not only did we feel more connected to each other as a couple, but we also felt rejuvenated and ready to be the best parents we could be to our kids.

Our children, too, seemed to have needed this break, as they happily piled into the car to be with us again, without a single complaint.

This trip was a game-changer for our family dynamics, emphasizing the importance of taking time for ourselves and each other.

It gave us a chance to unwind, recharge, and remember why we cherish being parents.

As soon as my parents forget about the exhaustion of looking after our kids, we'll be planning another trip.

The One Unexpected KEY To Health and Longevity

Scientists found one unexpected and often neglected aspect of life that might be the key to health and longevity.

No, it's not eating like a rabbit (vegan diet).

Or being a supplement freak like Dr. Oz.

Or exercising with great gusto like Richard Simons.

Research shows that having a pack (a group of friends) may be as important to wellness as eating, exercising, and sleeping.

Aussie researchers did a study.

They sent friends into the outback with a large knife, a leather vest, and a crocodile hat…

Oops wrong study.

The scientists from the land down under did research over 10-years and found:

Older people who reported having ‘a lot of friends’ were 22 percent less likely to die during the study than those who had ‘few friends’.

That's great, but as I get older, making new friends and keeping the old ones gets more challenging.

My kids and their activities can be like Kryptonite to friendships…

Slowly weakening and eventually zapping my time and energy.

Sometimes I feel like Christopher Reeves (Superman) wearing the Kryptonite necklace in the pool scene.

Here are the 6 antidotes for finding the rejuvenating power of friends:

1/ Annual Guys Trip

Get it on the calendar.

The same time each year.

This way, your wife knows to avoid planning a honey-do list that weekend.

And by planning it around the same weekend every year, you and your buddies will get that Christmas morning-like anticipation.

Eventually, it will become a tradition and make getting coverage for the kids easier.

Nothing is better for a bromance than bonding over a solid weekend of shooting guns, fishing, and drinking beer (am I right?)

2/ Play text roulette

Scroll through your phone and shoot a couple of old buddies a text.

One of those texts might land and reignite an old flame (not romantically).

It might lead to catching a pint, having a coffee or even an invigorating hike.

It is a great way to reconnect in your new phase of life.

3/ Start a dad fraternity

Billy Baker, the author of “We Need to Hang Out,” felt he didn’t have a buddy he could call if his furnace went out in the middle of winter.

So to find that dude, he started a dad-ternity (a fraternity of fellow dads).

I know what you’re imagining;

That scene from Old School when Frank The Tank (Will Ferrell) bongs a few beers and ends up running through the diag naked.

Well, it wasn’t quite this kind of fraternity.

It was more of a weekly get-together with other neighborhood dads, creating deep connections, and so they could find their ICE dudes (In Case of Emergency).

4/ Invite a buddy to something you already have planned

I’ve got a buddy that is great at this.

I get random messages when:

He is headed out on the water to land some fish.

Or he’s jumping on his bike to make a quick mountain biking loop after work.

Even if I can’t join, I know I can count on him if I’m ever looking for a partner in crime.

5/ Get mushy

OK this sounds a little weird.

But hear me out.

If you had a great time with an old buddy or a new friend, shoot him a text and let them know you are grateful and you had a great time.

Be open about your feelings;

I’m about as good at this as I am about putting away my clothes (ask my wife).

I’m trying to be better, which will go a long way to strengthening my bro bond.

6/ Take a class

Think about it, where did you make your closest friends?

They are probably from school (elementary, high school, college).

As an adult, the challenge is finding buds that share the same things.

Taking a class on something you are interested in is a great way to find others with the same interests as you.

Do you like foraging? Take a mushroom identification class.

Or like whiskey? Do a tasting.

Find a class, learn something new, and maybe discover a new buddy with a shared interest.

BONUS:

You’ve probably heard the ol’ saying:

“You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

The friends we keep, even as adults, help us achieve and learn new things.

Takeaway:

So if you want to be healthier and live longer or make a change, surround yourself with friends.

Find your pack to run with (hopefully not in the nude across the diag).

Your health and longevity depend on it.