“What is my ideal date night?” I recently got asked this question and I had to think long and hard about this one.
When I was younger, I totally would have answered this differently. I would have probably gone on with a long drawn out series of events more complex that trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube. Seriously, showed my age on that one, but for those who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, congrats you know what I am taking about in this little toy and are as old as I am, too!!
That said at 35 years old and a mother of two, my ideal date would start with one simple thing. And that is that someone would take pity on us and watch our girls for a few hours. Seriously, I know I have stated how my daily dinners are anything, but peaceful in a recent FTSF post. So, I will refrain from going on about that again here.
However for an ideal date night, I would love to be able to indeed go out to dinner sans kids. Yes, I love them, but even I would love the couple of hours off. And what better way then to go out for dinner then just the two of us.
Yes, once my kids were being happily watched by someone other than Kevin or I. We could go out to dinner. I am not even picky, when I say this, but as long the food is half way decent and I can have a drink or two, I would be the happiest girl this side of the Mississippi River!!
Here is how I envision the date itself starting (once the kids are indeed being watched), by us getting in the car and driving to a restaurant (any restaurant that is free to accommodate us).
Once we get to the restaurant, I hope there isn’t too much of a wait, but if there is at all a wait, we will sit at the bar to have a drink to celebrate the quiet!
When we do get seated, open the menus to be able to agree and order a yummy appetizer. Then, begin to decide about the main course. A bit of good conversation hopefully will occur, probably still have the topic cross over to one or both of our girls, because even though they aren’t there, we still can’t help, but talk of them.
At some point, the appetizer will arrive and I will actually get to have my first taste of a warm piece of food in what feels like in forever. A few more bites and I find we annihilated the appetizer and am still a bit hungry now looking forward to the main course that should be hopefully arriving shortly.
A bit more open dialogue and be amazed at the fact that an adult conversation is being had and that a little person is not interrupting every 5 seconds for something they want or need at that moment.
And then finally dinner is served and yes it too is hot. Oh my god, it tastes delicious mainly because I can eat it without again having to stop every so often to help anyone with anything right then and there.
When I indeed finish and am full, Kevin will still have room for dessert and offer to split one with me. I concede to this, because god knows the next time we will be able to do this again. We order it and it arrives quickly. It is absolutely scrumptious and so worthy of the extra calories, because who is counting on “date night”!
And then, we are finished eating. We wait to pay the check and tip generously, because we actually did have a successful night out alone. Once the check and tip are indeed taken care of, we venture home. As nice of a night out as it was and as crazy as our kids can be, I missed them believe it or not. I cannot wait to get home and smother them both with hugs and kisses.
And that my friends is a successful date night, when only a few hours refreshes and recharges you pretty much making you forget that some form of craziness will probably ensue once you are indeed home, like having one of your kids clean her shoes with antibacterial lotion. I was told they needed a bath, because they were sticky and smelly. Yup, date night is officially over!!
This post was written in response to a prompt given for February’s NaBloPoMo on BlogHer and am actually publishing right under the wire for tomorrow is finally March 1st!!
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erintheirishmama says
Sounds like a great date night to me!!!!! I always joke that my idea of a date night is to rent a hotel room, grab some wine and beer, drink it and then go to sleep early and sleep in the next morning!!! HA!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Erin and that also sounds great, but just not getting away overnight any day soon so I would so settle for the above experience!! 🙂
Dani Ryan says
Ah, a night out. I have completely forgotten what that feels like. At this point, just a walk around the block by ourselves would thrill me!!!
Janine Huldie says
Dani, a walk around the block would totally do me fine at this point!! Seriously, I don't remember the last time I had a moment to myself let alone five!!
Michelle Nahom says
Probably a dinner out would do it for me! Or maybe a movie! Can't remember the last time I saw a movie in an actual movie theater! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
I am in the same boat and don't remember the last time we had a night out Michelle!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Julie Moore says
We don't get many date nights around here, and most of the time they are date nights to the grocery store! One of these days we'll get an actual date that doesn't have groceries or WalMart attached to it! 🙂 Truthfully, though, I'm ok with any alone time with the hubs!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and being my newest stalker…ermm, I mean, follower! 🙂 Have a great day!!
Janine Huldie says
Oh Julie, so happy to see you here and happy to be your newest stalker (follower) and I am with you on shopping being alone time, which doesn't say much, lol!! You too have a great day 🙂 🙂
Julie Moore says
I hear ya! LOL Thanks again! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Lol, my pleasure 🙂 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
I need more date nights! Ah, those precious few hours without a kid interrupting! Perfect and so glad you got to do this! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kristi and this was more my wish then it actually happening just yet, but when it does I will be just as happy as you, too 🙂 🙂
Melanie Chisnall says
That sounds like the perfect date, and I really hope you get to have it soon. You deserve it! x
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Melanie and I am hoping to now also 🙂 🙂
Paige Kellerman says
Ahh, the elusive date night. I think you may have summed it up perfectly. Nothing fancy, just some hot food, and I'm a happy camper.
Janine Huldie says
Paige, I am so with you on this and would just love some hot food any day soon!!!
Bill says
Sheez, it would take me half the morning to figure out what an ideal date looks like. LOL I like yours a lot so maybe I'll steal it for Bev and I. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
By all means, please steal this one for you and Bev. I hope you do really and have a great time!! 🙂
Jane Marsh says
My ideal date night would include leaving the restaurant with no food stains on my clothes… 😛
Janine Huldie says
Oh I would so love that one, too Jane!! 🙂
Nellie says
That sounds so awesome, hot food! not being interrupted! its like a dream come true. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Total dream come true Nellie!! 🙂
Cyndi says
We all need a break, even from things and people we love. It's a way to recharge and get a fresh perspective. Actually, this would be my ideal date night, too: going to dinner and a movie. We haven't done that in YEARS and we don't even have kids, LOL. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
So true we all need a break, but trying to find someone to watch the girls for a few hours is our obstacle right about now. Just hope to get there soon, too now!!
Betty Taylor says
Getting my husband out on a date night would be my idea of the perfect date night!
Great post!
Linking with my Ladies
http://agutandabutt.blogspot.com/
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Betty and I know just getting out of the house sometimes can be a chore!! Heading to you now 🙂
Sue says
Plus, it would be and is so nice when someone else is doing the cooking.
Janine Huldie says
Oh I am with you on that Sue, as much I do like cooking it is so nice when someone else does cook a meal for you!! 🙂
Ruchira says
I so agree with you about the hot food part. I relish it as well.
Date nights are good for relationships. I am glad you could have one, Janine.
Voted for ya!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks as always Ruchira and agree that they are definitely good to have when you can!! 🙂
Kerri Ames says
I love this, you just forgot one little thing….there would be no child on your lap the entire meal, no child will be eating from your plate or spilling anything on your beautiful outfit.
This might not work for you, but where we take Boo for all of her therapies sometimes the secretaries/aides/therapists offer to babysit. Then you would have qualified sitters.
I hope you get your night out!
Janine Huldie says
I stand corrected and you are right about no one sitting on my lap and getting food all over me. And those do sound like qualified babysitters and maybe you should take them up sometime for their babysitting services!! Thanks 🙂 🙂
The Next Step says
date night? what's that?
Janine Huldie says
Lori, it has been that long that I could probably ask that question, too lol!!
Lanaya @ Raising Rea says
Sounds like a perfect date night to me!!
¤´¨)
¸.•*´
(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo http://www.raising-reagan.com
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Lanaya and can't help, but agree with you this one!! 🙂
Be Quoted says
Anything involving nice drinks, good food, live music, great company, and plenty of laughs would do the trick for me. Visiting from SITS.
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Be Quoted and couldn't agree with you more!! 🙂
Nicky Hudelson says
Date night… absolutely lovely that you and your husband stay connected! It is hard with little ones! Loved the post. Visiting from the blog hop. check me out @ http://www.feelingtheemptynest.blogspot.com when you get a chance. Thanks 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Nicky and will visit you back shortly!! 🙂
disqus_Z4W969IMNr says
Its amazing what just a few hours without the kids can do huh? sometimes when we go out to eat with the kids, we use our menu's as dividers and pretend we are alone on a date! 🙂
Katie~
Janine Huldie says
Katie, I did see you post that idea awhile back and loved it. Think we will have to wait until they are just a bit older for that one though 🙂
Rosey says
That about sums it up for me too. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Rosey, I a glad to know it isn't just me, lol!! Thanks 🙂
WhenCrazyMeetsExhaus says
I, too, enjoy a hot meal once every four months 😉 Your date night sounds perfect–can I come?! 😉
Janine Huldie says
Once every four months sounds about right!!! And sure why not, the more the merrier, lol 🙂
Mommy Notes says
Oh, I SO hear you! I mean, no dinner to make, no dishes to clean afterwards…ahhhhh bliss!! (thanks for linking up with Mommy Brain Mixer 😉
Janine Huldie says
Total bliss and seriously thank you for stopping by!! 🙂
Roshni Aamom says
oh, I absolutely would go for the pre-dinner drink and all the courses! With the boys, we hurriedly order the main meal and gulp it down ASAP before they get bored and start to fight with each other!!
Janine Huldie says
Oh I hear you Roshni on gulping down drinks and food when the kids are out with us, so the pre-dinner drink is a nice bonus when they aren't with us!!
Janine Huldie says
Don't you know it Amy and glad to see it isn't just me!! 🙂
Stacy Harris says
Ah… date night… it sounds like such a dream! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
I know Stacy and a dream I don't want to wake up from, lol!! 🙂
Bee says
Sounds like a great date night to me! Visiting via The Next Step's Pity Party. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Bee so very much for visiting, too!! 🙂
Coretta Owen says
I think we should double date because that sounds like the perfect date night to me too!
Janine Huldie says
Sounds like a great double date Coretta!!! 🙂
Happy Wives Club&tra says
My ideal night involves anything with just my hubby and me. I love walks along the beach but really, if it's just him and me, I'm in heaven!
Janine Huldie says
Fawn, we did that actually on our first date ever on the Long Beach Boardwalk, which actually got destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. And even more interesting, a friend of ours is trying to get us a tiny piece of it for us so that we can at least have something to remember it by now that it is no longer in tact. Thanks again for the awesome linkup and so happy to have you here, too!! 🙂
Emily Cappo says
Sounds ideal except it would be even better if the babysitter had both girls asleep by the time you got home…then you could continue your relaxation/date at home. My husband and I have sometimes purposely stayed out later because we knew if we got home too early, the boys would still be awake and be a "buzz-kill." I do love them, but I love my uninterrupted date nights too!!
Janine Huldie says
Oh if only Emily and trust me my girls are still in the phase of needing us at bedtime, so I am not sure if that would happen just yet, but maybe someday soon!! 🙂
Justin K says
I like the way you think, Emily! 🙂
Justin-
Writing Pad Dad
Writing Pad Dad Blog
Katherines Corner says
We have date night every weekend, giggle we have been empty nesters for 13 years. Happy Friday wishes to you and Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop, your participation is what makes it so much fun. Come back to Katherines Corner,I posted the new giveaway today! xo
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks as always Katherine and I entered the Giveaway yesterday!!! 🙂
Justin K says
Great post! I think we wouldn't see such high divorce rates if married folks committed to weekly date nights or even semi-weekly date nights (or even once a month date nights when you have little kiddos) ! I do have to point out that this is definitely a woman's ideal date night. Not that there's anything wrong with your date idea. It's just missing the "come home and have wild, before-we-had-kids kind of sex" part. 🙂
Justin-
Writing Pad Dad
Writing Pad Dad Blog
Janine Huldie says
Lol, You are so right and kind of funny too, because Kevin read this and practically said the same as you did, Justin!! 🙂