Well, I did it. I actually booked a Spanish course.
Not just any course—an immersive course in Barcelona. I don’t know whether to be thrilled or terrified, but one thing’s for sure: there’s no turning back now.
In three months’ time, I’ll be sitting in a classroom, conjugating verbs and rolling my R’s like my life depends on it.
It started as a simple curiosity, a fleeting thought after my second date with Ryan. But the more I imagined myself strolling through Barcelona, confidently ordering tapas, the more I realized this was about doing something for me.
Something new. Something completely out of my comfort zone.
The moment I got the confirmation email, I almost slammed my laptop shut. Three months sounds like plenty of time to prepare, but then reality hit—there’s a lot to organize.
The Logistics of Learning Spanish (While Juggling Being a Mom)
Of course, I can’t just hop on a plane without a plan. Three months might feel far away, but in mom-time, that’s basically next week. There are flights to book, accommodations to sort out, and about a thousand other things to consider. The biggest question:
What do I do about the kids?
The good news is, they’re ridiculously excited about this. The moment I told them I’d be going to Spain to learn Spanish, Jack immediately asked if he could come, Max attempted to say “hola” (which came out more like “oh-laaaa!”), and Lily wanted to know if Barcelona had unicorns. Priorities.
Ben, thankfully, was surprisingly supportive when I told him my plan. “This is amazing,” he said. “You deserve this. We’ll figure it out.” And that’s the thing—I know we will. The kids will stay with him while I’m away, and we’ll work out a schedule for video calls, updates, and maybe a little care package exchange (for them and for me).
Planning the Trip (a.k.a. Trying Not to Panic)
So now begins the real planning.
- Do I book them now or wait for a better deal? Will I bring just a carry-on, or will I inevitably overpack?
- Hotel, Airbnb, or do I go all-in and try to stay with a local family for extra immersion?
- Am I being selfish for doing this? (Answer: No. But that doesn’t mean the guilt won’t try to sneak in.)
And, of course, the excitement. I’m about to spend time in a city full of art, history, beaches, and more food than I could possibly eat.
And Ryan? He’s been incredibly sweet about the whole thing. “I’ll have to show you all the best spots,” he said. Which, let’s be honest, made my stomach do a weird little flip.
The Countdown Begins
I have three months to prepare, which is both a long time and no time at all. Between organizing logistics, making sure the kids are settled, and maybe even brushing up on some Spanish before I arrive (so I don’t sit in class like a deer in headlights), it’s going to be a whirlwind.
But for the first time in a long time, I’m doing something just for me. And that feels pretty incredible.
Now, if I can just figure out how to fit my life into one suitcase…