Romantic Getaway in #CLE

As an early 10th anniversary present, my parents offered to watch our monsters so we could get a fancy hotel room in downtown Cleveland. Our gratitude was basically incalculable. Lodging What can be calculated, however, is how great the hotel was. Allow me to recommend the Metropolitan at the 9 because, in addition to waking up in a monster-free king-sized bed, there were other amenities to enjoy.

To start, I want to highlight something that is minor but important. You will read a lot of reviews on Yelp, etc. and they will mention the paintings on the walls throughout the hotel. The paintings are somewhat sensual (see also: sultry silhouettes OW OW!). Dear readers, this is not the ambience that our family of four usually seeks when lodging elsewhere. But on this particular night, the paintings were sort of nodding at us with approval. They seemed to whisper, Yes, isn't it great to be a grown-up! You can have candy for dinner if you want! And sit up on the rooftop deck! So while the reviews are accurate--the paintings could be kind of awkward if you were putting your grandma up for your rehearsal dinner-- the Met is clearly a grown-up friendly establishment.

The hotel itself is modern but homey. Sometimes a modern aesthetic can be cold but the main hues of black, red and white are all hedged with wood and plants and even some old timey pieces like rotary phones and Art Noveau posters. Our room was modern, spacious and all the furniture choices were so comfortable. Speaking of airy and comfortable: you have to be comfortable with the air that basically sets you apart from your bunkmate(s) and the shower. The shower is in the middle of the room. Pro-tip: it will not generate enough steam for modesty's sake. So shower free, travelers, or go home. :)

Wow. This hotel just sounds like the perviest place, doesn't it?

You have to ask the front desk for the robes, FYI. Just didn't want you to expect and not receive.

We did not patronize the restaurant at the Met but we did take full advantage of the Heinen's that is literally next door to the Met in the gorgeously restored Cleveland Trust Building. Now that place is special. It was so lovely to be able to grab some top shelf chocolate and berries for a late afternoon snack while watching "Million Dollar Listing: New York" and not "Littlest Pet Shop," per usual monster request.

Dining We had dinner reservations that evening at Crop. It was a beautiful evening so we walked across the Carnegie Bridge. I would not recommend this to my gal pals who are in stiletto heels, but it is a lovely bridge to traverse otherwise.

Crop was impeccable from the cheese platter and truffle popcorn (swoon!) to the short ribs and beet salad. Be sure to ask the host/hostess for a tour of the vault if you are able. It will really round out the experience.

Of course we stopped by Mitchell's just down the street from Crop on W. 25th because the raspberry chocolate chunk as well as the campfire s'more flavors are near-religious experiences.

Transportation We Ubered our way back to the Met. It was our virgin voyage as Uberites so our ride was free. Isn't that spectacular? You, too, can get a free ride. Thank you, Mr. Darryl, our first UberDriver.

When we returned to the Met, we wanted to check out the rooftop deck. The deck is really amazing--what a great spot for an afterwork apertif or a post-Tribe game libation. As we gambled around the deck, a very burly employee said, "Oh! You guys missed it!" He was stuttering and I don't know if he had been over-served or had a speech impediment but he wanted us to know that the rooftop deck party was over. We had only wanted to catch a rooftop view, though, and he welcomed us to take a spin around. "You missed it!" guy was perhaps the most memorable encounter of the evening.

In the morning, we took advantage of the gym which is clean and fairly large but nothing spectacular. We put the bookends on the overnight with a mid-day trip to the West Side Market for procuring cannoli, coffee and other treats.

I would DEFINITELY book again at the Metropolitan, but only and especially sans kids.

15 Year HS Reunion - In absentia

My old man texted me that I should come home this coming weekend since it's my 15 year high school reunion. That made me sad on a whole lot of levels, not least because I wish I could go "home" and see my parents more regularly. And also, because my plans for this weekend most likely include drawing a lot of robot princesses, reading beat report assignments, or stalking preying mantises in our front yard. I made some really lovely friends in high school, so I'm sad to miss the reunion. Because social media has killed the need for an actual catch-up, I think reunions are less about comparing notes about what you have done in the years since you graduated, and more about the layers you have shed in the interim.

For example, the person I was in high school was basically a shell of a teenager with a deep sadness that she stuffed way down, masked by a bright smile and a constant busy-ness that would distract her from the sadness.

So, in lieu of my physical presence, here I am 15 years later.

And here are 15 things I am no longer:

1. I am no longer a person who thinks the Pope is the boss of the applesauce.

2. I no longer weigh 83 lbs.

3. I no longer think an L.L. Bean barn coat is the height of fashion.

4. I no longer fall asleep teary-eyed listening to Tori Amos' "Little Earthquakes" on my cassette walkman.

5. I no longer subscribe to the National Right-to-Life newsletter.

6. I no longer travel by RTA bus to get home.

7. I no longer spend my Friday nights standing on metal bleachers at Lakewood McKinley stadium.

8. I no longer wring my hands so my knuckles are completely white when I stand next to a 16 year-old boy.

9. I no longer think it is okay for me to not have bangs.

10. I no longer pray the rosary once/week.

11. I no longer am a dues-paying member of Kiwanis International.

12. I no longer use the word "random" to describe pretty much everything.

13. I no longer go without makeup.

14. I no longer study or read things that do not interest me. Like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, for example.

15. I no longer own these shoes.

Wishing my Magnifi-sisters a really happy reunion this weekend!