No birthdays or anniversaries to celebrate, just happiness. Happiness, to me, is reason enough to celebrate.
My in-laws asked to take the older children for the day and I decided it was high time for Mattie and I to have a date. Interestingly, advice from couples with many children and happy marriages always seems to be "Make time for yourselves." "Go out once a week." "Nurture your relationship with your spouse." And this advice, while lovely-never seems to play out in our lives, as much as I WISH it would. But a child-free dinner seemed the perfect time to make it a special one! Only problem? Didn't have money enough to go out. *Sigh* Sometimes this cash-based system is tiresome.
I rolled up the silver change and got us a reduced-for-quick-sale steak and fresh Italian bread. I made a strawberry spinach (from our garden!) salad, baked potatoes, and for a SPECIAL treat, fried a homemade onion blossom for an appetizer. We had makeshift mixed drinks.
I gathered wildflowers for the vase, brought out the oil lamp so wind couldn't hinder, and threw a lace tablecloth on the normally bare patio table. Of course, I used our best china (even BREAD plates!), cloth napkins and monogrammed water glasses.
When dinner was ready, I ran upstairs and changed into a dress and heels. I put earrings in (and it wasn't a SUNDAY!). I spritzed on some perfume...something that is only ever spritzed on special occasions.
Our wedding music cd danced in the air and we sat, talking (uninterrupted!) until well past sundown. The kids returned and we visited for awhile then tucked them in with kisses and returned to our patio-turned-dance floor because we didn't want the date to end. There...we danced. And laughed. (We need dance lessons!)
It was a grand night.
I didn't even mind doing the dishes (and remember, there were bread plates!)
Sure I had to cook and do the dishes so it wasn't a night off for me like going out to eat would have been, but you know what? That night, it was more about showing Matt I loved him than it was about me getting a night off. It was about putting him first...and us. About making effort....for US.
It was well worth the effort...and the $7.00
14 comments:
Beautiful. And made me a little weepy. (Sniff)
love the photo of you and matt dancing. tears filled my eyes. thanks for sharing your special night with us!
jamie
It looks like lots of fun, Rebecca. And you know what? People always told us the same thing...except by the time we would've paid a babysitter, there would be no money to go out. Instead, we would put our littles to bed early, and have an evening to ourselves. Eating, playing games, snuggling on the couch. You don't have to go OUT to make time for one another, which you already know. :0)
This is awesome! I've actually been dreaming about doing this for my husband and I. You've given me added inspiration. My husband doesn't know what he's got comin' ;).
Sweet, sweet, sweet!
What a dreamy wonderful post. I'm off to get ready for a date with my husband. You've inspired me! : D
I am sure this was the best thing you could have done for Matt. And you put each other first with no distractions. How wonderful! And the kids saw what you did when they returned, and that is important for them to see. Think how many times you can do this for the cost of once going out!! And all of it on that magnificent porch. The photos are very elegant. Great job, Rebecca.
Beautiful....your porch is grand and your menu sounds delicous...but it wouldn't be anything if you weren't *happy*!
What a beautiful time you had together...I'm glad you gave us a little peek! We've never been big on the baby sitter/go out once a week thing either.
~Kelli
Lovely...I stole your idea of cuddling with my dh around a campfire...it was so nice! We chatted for an hour surrounded by fireflies & the wind howling through the trees...the snap, crackle, pop of the fire is so romantic too...now I will have to try this idea as well sometime! THANKS!!! I love good, inexpensive, date ideas!!! :) (and no baby sitting for us...they were all asleep inside...yea!)
Here visiting from Like Merchant Ships. What a beautiful post and reminder that a little bit of effort can make an evening so special.
I poked around your blog a bit and love it. Bookmarking it now.
Sounds like a lovely evening. I love nights like that, just spending time with your beloved. Your attention to detail make it all the more special.
Visiting from LMS -- love your blog!
I've been a lurker here on your blog for a little while now. I'm not sure if I've ever commented before but this post was so encouraging to me that I HAD to leave a note!
With the recent arrival of our 2nd child finding a babysitter and the means to appreciate/pay them has been really difficult. This inspired/encouraged me to think outside the box and to remember that putting my hubby first is really what's important. Thanks for sharing! :)
Rebecca, your evening was beautiful..LOVED the pictures!! It just goes to show you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a wonderful time spent together:)
I love your patio..I would be out there all the time too!
Love, Jerelene
Flores Hayes~that bag is the CUTEST! LOVE IT!
Post a Comment