go out on "date nights" with my spouse on a regular basis

So on Sunday, we had a birthday party for the niece and nephew. So we all piled into the van and off we go.

Got there, too lots of pictures. Even got to see the newest great grandchild (not mine :)

After that party we had plans to see another couple who we haven’t seen since last year, we still had holiday presents to exchange!!

So we used modern high tech (cell phones) to coordinate our getting home with their arrival, ordered Chinese takeout, and picked that up on the way. All while driving.

Another very fun day, and good company for the evening. Shame it was Sunday so they couldn’t stay late, but it was very good to see them.

Another couple on our list of folk to see more often.

Saturday night we went to a very nice restaurant with some old friends. WE have a sort of tradition of using Valentines Day as an excuse to get out, and killing two birds, we try to have the nice meal with some other couple that we don’t see enough of.

L and J have always been very fun to hang out with, but we haven’t seen them much in years. They brought their son over to hang with ours, and since they are all a little older, we didn’t need a sitter. So the four of us got out to relax.

Due to the coming Vday holiday restaurants were booked up, which only forced us to an earlier reservation. So we were seated by 6, done and out before 9, and spent another 3 hours at home playing cards!!!

The boys all had a great time together too, we hope to do it again in a month. WE even picked out the place to go eat, which we’ve been to before but they haven’t and “always wanted to!”

It’s a plan, and a good one.

So I asked the wife what she’d like to do tonight. And she suggested a bookstore run.

This is one of our regular date type nights (perhaps our only one)

We usually get one like this around Valentines, and our anniversary. This was out of the blue.

BUT … the boys were all staying home the next day, and there was nothing else going on, so even though I thought we had other stuff to do, I accepted that we probably wouldn’t do them anyway :) and off we went.

Nothing special, didn’t spend too much money, especially since we only do this twice a year. Had some tea, found some things we were looking for, and some surprises. About 5-6 books.

Nice, normal, spending time together.

::sigh:: nice.

Last Saturday night, party game with friends. We both had a great time.

I also made her dinner (warmed the leftovers) but set a nice table, and brought her a marguerita along with it.

I should spend more time directly showing how I feel like this.

Last Saturday we went to a big party / LARP.

It was a hectic day. Marching band in the morning, food shopping all afternoon. And a new house to find way far away.

WE got there on time, despite the gas cap and engine warning lights coming on in my car … really unneeded stress.

Lots of dear friends, people all dressed up, lots of silly accents, some outrageous makeup, and wacky situations.

A good time.

Next time out will probably be Black Ice – the halloween game.

Last night I met the wonderful wife at the baseball game of our youngest. We are running around so much, it was great just to sit there next to her. We chatted about whatever, planning the week I’m sure. And every inning it seemed, the little guy would run up to us for hugs and to talk about the game, and we’d have to shoo him back to the dugout.

But it was great just to sit there together. Quiet time, doing something supportive of a child, and getting some time together … alone … next to each other.

Sweet times

We start next Thursday!

The Spouse has suggested we take dancing lessons, and is supposed to go sign us up.

I may need to nudge her on this.

V