Once Every Few Years

If someone were to ask me what I would love to do with two hours of free time, watching a movie would never be on that list.  I don't even watch movies during the 10+ hour transatlantic flights to Germany, as I normally work and/or binge-watch downloaded television shows on Netflix to pass the time.  I'm playfully known as 'The Never Seen It Girl" among friends and colleagues - meaning if people mention a movie, there's a 99-percent chance I've never seen it - and I take no shame in that title.  I would much rather run, hike or do something active than sit in a seat for two hours without any possibility of multitasking.

This weekend, I promised the girls I would take them to the movies, something I hadn't done since 'Sing' was released in the theaters two years ago.  So, after a busy Saturday of gymnastics, grocery shopping and a friend's soccer game, Ani, Alexa and I headed to the movie theater to check out 'The Grinch' that afternoon.  I think the girls could not believe it was actually happening - Mommy at the movies! - and both were going out of their way to make sure everything was perfect for this momentous occasion.  Ani asked several times if I knew my way to the movie theater, and Alexa was giving me the low-down on the various theaters in the area.  I struck down her personal favorite, the Studio Grill, and she didn't even bother to complain, as she knew what a feat it was just to get me to the theater.

Alexa took obvious pride in walking me through the process, so much so that I couldn't bear to detract by advising her that I actually did know how the movie theater process worked.  There's no doubt who's going to take care of me in my old age....  Alexa grabbed my hand and walked me through the entire process, personally escorting me to the ticket window and then showing me how to find theater #2.  She made sure to pick the seats, letting me know our necks would hurt if we sat too close.  Several times during the show, she leaned over to ask me if I was having a good time....I think she felt a lot of pressure to make sure I had fun. :)  I assured her I was having a great time (I really was) and was enjoying the show.  However, in my normal fashion, I was checking my watch, especially towards the end, and I popped up to stand as soon as the credits began to roll...1:40 was more than enough time sitting and doing nothing.

Every two years seems like the perfect cadence to me, as it maintains the novelty of the event.  The girls may have other ideas - especially when Toy Story 4 is released - for which I might have to break my cycle.  Maybe at that time Alexa will trust that I know how to buy the tickets, and Ani won't have to worry about my navigation to the theater....

The girls insisted on a selfie to document proof that I was in an actual movie theater!  Woohoo!