Childless in Chicago

I love my kids. But I also love the fact they’re finally old enough to take care of themselves.

I’ve been in Chicago the last several days, doing the tourist thing while my husband attends a conference.  This was the first time I’d been back in the city since my family moved from the northern suburb of Lake Zurich almost 40 years ago.  So in reality this was the first time I have really SEEN the city.  And what I’ve seen I really like.

My two daughters, ages 25 and 18, tagged along with us, and we’ve done some stuff together, which has been a lot of fun. But it’s also been very nice for Jack and me to be able to head out on our own, leaving one or both of them in the hotel room, without worrying that they would kill each other within minutes.

Last night was one of those times.  After he got out of his conference yesterday, Jack and I met some friends (including an old Webster Thomas colleague) at the Billy Goat Tavern, which was just a  few blocks from our hotel. The subterranean diner/bar was made famous in John Belushi’s “Cheezeborger, Cheezeborger” sketch on Saturday Night Live. (They still say it that way when you order it. Strangely, though, they only serve Coke, not Pepsi.)  We had a few cheap beers and a very relaxing visit with our friends.  All the while not worrying about our daughters.

This second adulthood we’re discovering is kinda fun.