Because sometimes all you have is 24 hours…
“Can you take the baby for 24 hours?”
That’s the text I sent my in-laws as summer’s final winds started blowing through. Is it just me, or did this summer fly by faster than usual? I’m usually great at taking breaks throughout the year, but something about the approaching fall made me crave an immediate escape. And here’s the thing we don’t talk about enough: the only reason I had the energy for this spontaneous 24-hour trip was because of the beautiful village surrounding us, and I’m so thankful for it.
The ritual of packing for adventures runs deep in my family. When I was a kid, my mom would transform our car into a mobile feast before any outing. Growing up in New Jersey, summer meant two things: Six Flags or sweating on the stoop. Mom always secured season passes through her job discount, but even at the amusement park, we’d pack our own spread.
Picture this: after riding roller coasters all morning, we’d migrate to our car in the parking lot, pop the trunk, and create an impromptu picnic. People-watching while munching on WAWA hoagies (iykyk) became some of my most cherished summer memories.
Beach days and especially long track meets called for the holy trinity: fried chicken, pasta salad, and Hawaiian rolls. These weren’t just meals—they were expressions of care, preparation, and making the most of every moment together.
Now at 38, I found myself channeling that same energy, packing my wife and me up with chips, sandwiches, and everything we’d need for our little getaway. As a Scorpio, I pride myself on being in the driver’s seat—literally and figuratively—so to Wilmington we went.
The Bed and Breakfast we stayed at exceeded every expectation. Dreamers is a unique boutique-style B&B that you just have to see to believe. The space felt intentionally curated for people like us—a place where we could exist fully and authentically without explanation or performance. See the footage below:
We ate good food that nourished our souls, caught waves that reminded us how small and magnificent we are, and slept in without tiny hands shaking us awake. Even though it was only 24 hours, those moments recharged something essential in both of us.
There’s something powerful about recognizing when you need restoration and actually acting on it. In our 30s, especially as Black queer folks navigating multiple identities and responsibilities, we’re often expected to be perpetually strong, endlessly giving, constantly “on.” But these micro-getaways? They’re acts of resistance and self-preservation.
This trip reminded me that rest doesn’t have to be a week-long vacation or an expensive retreat. Sometimes it’s 24 hours of sleeping in, eating good food, and remembering who you are outside of all the roles you play for other people.
I encourage you, if you have the energy, the support, and the means, take the time. Say yes to that quick trip with or without the babies. Restore your energy not because you’ll be more productive afterward, but because you deserve joy, peace, and the simple pleasure of existing in spaces that celebrate you.
What does restoration look like for you? Please drop a comment and share your favorite quick escape, or tell me about the village that makes your adventures possible. Let’s celebrate the people and moments that keep us going.
