Husband and I had a very special date on Friday night. No special occasion, it was just a free night that we unexpectedly had. We dropped our son off at a school dance and headed to a new (to us) Italian restaurant in town. It was small, dimly lit and very intimate; maybe 12 tables with white tablecloths, fresh flowers and candlelight.I'm the wine person between the two of us, so I chose a Chianti and we broke bread with a delicious spread of sun dried tomato and olive tapanades. After small salads, the main courses arrived. I chose a veal dish with fresh rosemary, granny smith apples and a grappa reduction. Husband had veal in a sage sauce with prosciutto and mozzarella. Veal is a real treat for us as I find it cost prohibitive to make at home.
Afterwards, we drove to Panera and got some coffee. I'm addicted to their lattes. We went back to the middle school to pick up our son. By the time we got back home, both kids went straight to bed, as did husband and I. A good time was had by all.
What made this the perfect date for me was the following:
- we tried a new restaurant (we tend to get in a rut and just stick with what we know we like)
- it was just the two of us; no kids or other couples and it was a romantic atmosphere
- we went to a different place for coffee (I always like it when the date is extended)
- it was late when we got home, so we were able to go straight to bed instead of waiting around for the kids to go to bed, in which case, we both get too tired for any action
It's been a bit too long since we've actually had a date, to be honest. Wow... a very long time. I hate to say that life hasn't been conducive to them of late, but that honestly seems to be the case. I would, however, like one similiar to what you described. My wish is for evenings out when my husband doesn't talk about work and neither of us talks about the children, but perhaps at this point it's a little too wishful thinking.
ReplyDeleteWow. That reads a little bit depressing! Um, we're good, though!
A 'perfect date' for us, is one where the two of us are more-or-less alone together, with space enough for some non-business-related (ie, non-parental) conversation.
ReplyDeleteThose don't happen as often as we'd like - often as not, we'll go shopping together, just so we can talk about the parental business-at-hand without getting pestered every three minutes for this-or-that-or-the-other-thing.
But we are really looking forward to the hours in the car, on the way to the 'Midwest Blogger-Fest'. . .
Date nights? Hate 'em ..... with good reason I might add (or at least, says I), but that's another story for another time ...
ReplyDeleteAnd it doesn't mean we don't have 'em, 'cause she likes 'em.
I am happy for you though, sounds like yours more than worth it!
That is all.
Quite frankly, these days, any date is a good date.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you guys had a wonderful time, though. Good for you guys for still doing this.
Well your post made me REALLY hungry for a new, intimate Italian restaurant.
ReplyDeleteWhich, sadly, just doesn't happen much around here. My wife likes the old "tried-and-true" restaurants.
I am thankful we get our handful of dates, although I wish they were more frequent. We end up with friends more often than not, and it would be nice to get out alone together at least once every 2-3 weeks. I'm often just happy going to a restaurant, eating a slow dinner, and then going to a movie. Sometimes if it isn't too late we'll find somewhere to go afterwards (although neither of us drinks coffee).
And ideally, not getting home so late that bedroom activities are postponed.
FADKOG - well, if I ever hear that you and Tool Man aren't good, I'll have to fly out there and do some babysitting. Auntie Cocotte makes excellent french toast.
ReplyDeleteDesmond - You had to rub it in that you are attending Blogger-Fest without me, didn't you? Unfortunately, that would be a 'nightmare date' to my husband, so you'll have to fill me in when you return.
Xavier - You hate date nights? Care to elaborate??
Mama Dawg - Well, if Trooper would ever visit my blog again, he could tell us what the perfect date is and then you can e-mail him and invite him on one.
FTN - The tried & true gets old quickly. I'm actually planning on writing a post about how I order the same thing from the same restaurants EVERY time and relating it to sex. Wait - that would be one of your posts ;)
date? that's a fruit off a sort of palm tree right?
ReplyDeleteSounds very romantic. You and your husband must be grown ups! ;op
ReplyDeleteElaborate? Well, it's actually kinda basic. Date nights are microscope nights. Queenie analyzes and judges every element of the night from how long it's been, how often it should be done, to the "I've got nothing to wear" to the "You're going to wear THAT?" and on down the line.
ReplyDeleteBottom line is, it turns into a night of criticism and complaint, which she seems to really love but it leaves me wishing it never happened. And, um, date night typically ends with no action either.
But she needs it so we still do it.
Now that it's fall and there's less outdoor activities to be had, I'm looking forward to visiting some new restaurants and hopefully take in a Christmas show.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with hubby on his business trip to Australia next week, so we should have plenty of good dates then, I can't wait!
Lime - a date is many things to many people ;)
ReplyDeleteBee - yes, but grown ups who are young at heart.
Xavier - I've been known to be critical as well, but usually about a certain someone being too pooped to party, kwim?
Tulip - Australia?? Sounds like you will have some good dates to report!
Congratulations Cocotte!
ReplyDeleteA perfect date for Delighted Husband and me is where we eat dessert first. I'm not kidding. I just hate that full tummy drowsy kids get medieval dynamic that can put a scratchy record sound on the most beautiful music. So my favorite dates are the ones where the kids are picked up by the grandparents and we kiss them goodbye, thank our parents, close the front door and start to give each other pleasure.
THEN we do the dinner date. Sometimes a dive with great food where we drink beer and watch Astros. Sometimes a white wine white tablecloth place with fabulous seafood.
...and maybe eat dessert again after dinner. If I'm going to follow the meal analogy, that makes the first hurried LM session an appetizer. Hey, it's all good.
SW - Now THAT is definitely THE perfect date. Have one soon, okay??
ReplyDelete