DD(4) spent NYE with her dad this year as we switch each year, the dog was with his grandparents and so I had a proper night off last night.
I've been seeing a guy for a few months, all very casual in terms of dates due to work/life etc - he has no children but understands that with no family local for help, we have to take what we can get most of the time. Because he knew I had last night totally off, he planned a NYE date night, I had no input and let him do it all - I'm 28 and have never really 'done' anything for NYE which has never bothered me but it was rather nice to have something planned for me and just go along.
He took us to an incredible steakhouse just outside of town, we had cocktails and wine, and some amazing food. His treat, he wouldn't let me pay a penny. We then went back to his where he'd bought a bunch of different wines and we did a wine tasting - just a small glass of each whilst watching the NYE tv, then midnight hit so we had a kiss and a cuddle and then went down a rabbit hole of a genre of music we both used to listen to when we were much younger (old school emo for anyone interested!) and stayed up till 4:30am drinking wine, singing and dancing to songs we loved as kids.
It was amazing. I haven't been so genuinely happy with a person other than DD for such a long time. She's now back home with me after a day bike riding with her dad. It's a Monday, I'm not back at work until Wednesday, everything is ok and I'm happy. I don't really have people I can tell so I'm hoping this is a safe place for me to have a little happy gloat. Life hasn't been easy so this feels really nice.
Apologies if this upsets or causes distress for anyone not having the best of time, and I do hope things get better for anyone struggling.
Happy 2024 MN!