It doesn’t happen often, but every once in a while I sneak away from the house, leaving Tim with the kids, and I go out to dinner with a friend. I have to fight the guilt of leaving my family after having spent the whole week away from them at work, but I also recognize that I need this time to recharge and connect with other people.

It’s a chance, at least for a few hours, to not be needed.

During these precious hours no one needs me to wipe their nose, turn on lights, prepare a meal, or referee an argument. There are no videos to edit or deadlines to meet. There are no meetings or script revisions.

It’s just me and a friend and I can just be. I can laugh. I can share. I can listen. And then I can return home, refreshed and ready to be needed again.