Savannah Guthrie, the beloved host of the ‘Today Show,’ recently shared a surprising tidbit about her summer. With her kids away at sleep-away camp, she and her husband, Michael Feldman, found themselves with an unexpected stretch of alone time. What did they do with it? The answer might surprise you. This article dives into Guthrie’s revelation, exploring how she and Feldman rediscovered their pre-kid connection and embraced the quiet moments.
The story highlights the challenges and joys of parenthood, the importance of couple time, and the ever-evolving nature of relationships. It’s a relatable narrative for any parent who has navigated the bittersweet experience of watching their children grow and gain independence. We’ll examine Guthrie’s comments, unpack the significance of her experience, and consider the broader implications for modern families.
Kids Away: A Summer of Quiet
During a pre-recorded episode of Today With Jenna & Friends, Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie discussed their respective summers. Bush Hager mentioned that Guthrie’s children, Vale, 11, and Charley, 8, had attended sleep-away camp. Guthrie responded, ‘Well, a part of it. We did something that hasn’t happened in 11 years. Both of our kids went to sleep-away camp for three weeks.’ The implications of this kid-free stretch would soon become apparent.
Guthrie’s initial reaction mirrored that of many parents: a mix of excitement and uncertainty. ‘No kids, no nothing. It was amazing and so quiet,’ she admitted. The absence of her children created a void in her daily routine, prompting her and Feldman to consider how to fill the newfound space. This experience highlights the significant impact children have on a parent’s life and the adjustments required when they are no longer constantly present.
Rediscovering Alone Time
The couple initially experimented with activities they hadn’t had time for in years. ‘At first, we were like, “Should we go out to dinner? Should we do this or that?” And we did that for a couple of days,’ Guthrie explained. However, their initial enthusiasm soon gave way to a more relaxed approach. The constant activity was replaced with something far more intimate and comfortable: quiet evenings at home.
‘And then we started getting in bed at 6:30 to watch TV and read,’ Guthrie revealed. This simple act of retreating to their bedroom early in the evening signifies a shift in their priorities. Rather than seeking external entertainment, they found solace and connection in each other’s company. This highlights the value of simple, shared experiences in maintaining a strong relationship.
Echoes of Early Romance
The quiet time together transported Guthrie back to the early days of her relationship with Feldman. She noted that their alone time reminded her of when they first started dating. ‘We had no kids, and on a Saturday you’d wake up and be like, “What should we do today?”‘ Guthrie recalled. This harkens back to a time when their lives were less structured and more spontaneous, a period characterized by exploration and discovery.
This comparison underscores the transformative effect children have on a relationship. While parenthood brings immense joy and fulfillment, it also necessitates a shift in priorities and a reduction in couple time. Guthrie’s experience suggests that revisiting the dynamics of earlier relationship stages can be a powerful way to reconnect and rekindle romance.
Late Motherhood: A Different Perspective
Guthrie became a parent in her 40s, a fact she reflected on while speaking to Health in 2019. ‘Having kids later in life wasn’t so much a choice — it was just the way life happened for me — but when I think about being in my 30s and what I was doing and trying to build a career, it would have been incredibly difficult for me to have kids back then,’ she said. Her perspective offers a unique insight into the challenges and benefits of having children later in life.
She acknowledged that having children earlier would have been difficult given her career aspirations. Becoming a parent later allowed her to establish herself professionally, providing a more stable foundation for raising a family. However, she also recognized the unique challenges of being an older parent, including potential fertility issues and the physical demands of caring for young children.
Miracles and Medicine: Vale and Charley’s Journeys
Guthrie viewed Vale’s conception as a ‘winning lottery ticket’ due to her older age. ‘I was 42 when I had her. So I never dreamed that I would have two. But with Charley, I did do IVF. So I would say Vale was a miracle, and Charley was a medical miracle,’ Guthrie shared. Her openness about her fertility journey provides reassurance and support to other women facing similar challenges.
She emphasized the importance of being present and content with her current situation, rather than solely focusing on the future. ‘When making that decision about whether to go through IVF, my husband and I talked about it a lot. I didn’t want to start a process where we spent all of our present searching after some future . . . when our present was so lovely and beautiful and enough,’ she explained.
However, she also recognized her desire for Vale to have a sibling, ‘especially because we are older, it was important to me for her to have a sibling, somebody to do life with.’ This highlights the complex emotions and considerations that often accompany decisions about family planning.
Embracing the Empty Nest (Temporarily)
Savannah Guthrie’s experience of rediscovering alone time with her husband while her children were at sleep-away camp offers valuable lessons for parents. It underscores the importance of nurturing couple relationships amidst the demands of parenthood, and highlights the potential for rediscovering intimacy and connection in unexpected moments. By embracing the quiet, Guthrie and Feldman were able to reconnect with each other and remember the joys of their pre-kid life.
This story serves as a reminder that parenthood is a dynamic journey, marked by both challenges and rewards. As children grow and gain independence, parents must adapt and redefine their roles, finding new ways to connect with each other and with themselves. Guthrie’s experience demonstrates that even amidst the chaos of modern life, it is possible to carve out space for quiet moments, fostering stronger relationships and a deeper sense of fulfillment. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, companionship, and the simple pleasures of life.
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