My parents divorced when I was seven years old. My brother, Nate, and I would rotate weekends with each parent. Although the divorce was difficult for everyone, my parents would try to make it special for us. One of our favorite weekend activities was to rent movies.
Mom would drive my brother and I in her Chrysler Horizon to the video store to rent a VCP (video cassette player) and a couple movies. Nate and I always wanted the same kids movies, usually including something starring Pee Wee Herman. Mom would let us get our movies, and then she would pick a couple of her own. She never said "no" to us renting the same movies each time. I remember rolling my eyes and making fun of the "Mom" movies that she selected. They were so grown up and boring! In fact, I still call movies that I think are boring "Mom" movies! Nate and I got to watch our movies first, then Mom would watch her movies afterwards, sometimes late into the night. Looking back, I think it was nice of her to let us have our fun first, and wait for hers.
Weekends with Dad were just as fun. Nate and I would get to stay at his efficiency apartment in La Crosse. Our favorite movies included anything with Jim Varney (Ernest P. Worrell - "Know what I mean, Vern?"). Dad always had a bucket of vanilla ice cream (his favorite) in the freezer and a 2-liter of off-brand cola in the fridge. We would scoop ice cream in a big bowl and pour in the cola. Then we'd get the old hand-crank mixer out and start working on making our version of floats. Now that I think about it, cola floats don't sound very good, but they were the best back then. We would watch our movies and then rehash them, saying the funniest quotes we could remember.
Movie weekends were inexpensive, but it was quality time spent with my parents. Tim and I like to watch movies with our kids and make it special by having treats and picnics on the living room floor. It's the little things that can make a lasting impression.
