She said…

In yesterday’s post He Said, Hubby shared his perspective on Date Night.  While his writing style is direct and to the point, I tend to be more… wordy.  Therefore,  in order to keep our comparisons consistent, I have attempted to reign in my flowery language and adopt Hubby’s bullet point approach (wish me luck).   Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present my view. 

Is a little special treatment once in a while too much to ask?  How about a little you and me time, say… once a week?  Well, after 13 years of meeting on the weekends to talk about the kids (that’s what happens when one spouse works out of town constantly), I thought a weekly Date Night was in order.  Good idea, right?  I mean what could possibly go wrong? … Why are you laughing?

My Expectations:

1. Escape from Alcatraz  I mean get out of the house
2. Have a normal adult conversation (if I can remember what that is)
3. Spend time with you the way we used to, without so many responsibilities looming overhead (you remember those days, don’t you?)
4. Fancy shmancy –  I didn’t care where we ate, I just wanted to be with you

This is How it Went Down:

The Good

• It was liberating to be out on the town
• I was thrilled to have you all to myself
  

  Mmmm... Lemon Cake

• The food was good
• The dessert was even better (actually, REALLY good!)
• The first part of the evening and accompanying conversation were excellent.  I’d forgotten how much you can learn about a person by just asking a question and listening (sounds unreal, I know).

The Bad

• I stuffed myself (pasta is a weakness)
• Wonderful wardrobe – not so much
• True, Macaroni Grill is not one of my favorite places, but I was game, cheerful, and willing (if I do say so myself)
• I confess – I am the villain.  I’m the one who spoke about the children first

The Ugly

• The conversation about the kids was GREAT… until we got to the part about education
• We started talking Math
• Then you started explaining… 

When You Start Explaining:

What ?!?

I had no idea you were about to break out the pocket protector and go Einstein on me.  (pardon me, flowery language runs through my veins.)  The restaurant table cloths were covered with large sheets of white paper, and crayons were supplied along with the utensils…  How convenient.  You picked up a crayon and started writing an equation – or a numeric expression – or demonstrating that multiplying with reciprocal fractions is not the correct concept for dividing by fractions…or… What?!?  Anyway all the blood from  my brain went to my stomach in an attempt to handle the vast amount of rich pasta that I had deposited there.  For me, trying to follow any academic conversation was like watching  an automatic weapon fire while trying  to keep track of where the casings were falling.  The conversation became a little heated.

How It Ended:

What I Learned: 

• Talking about the kids can change the tone of a dinner conversation
• Don’t talk about the kids during Date Night dinner conversation
• Don’t even think about math
• Before sulking out of a restaurant in an angry hurry, make sure you get your credit card back first
• Think about goals for later in the evening before engaging in a Date Night argument (wink ,wink)
• Yes, I am passionate about dessert.  So keep your math prowess to yourself while I’m enjoying my lemon cake!
• I’m not the only sensitive one when my feelings are hurt
• Someone needs to nominate us for “What Not To Wear” based on our Date Night wardrobe, SERIOUSLY

What I Will Do Next Time:

• Follow the advice of the “Madagascar” penguins- look cute and cuddly and smile and wave, just smile and wave.

PS:  Kids, if you are reading this, you did nothing wrong.  Sometimes Mommy and Daddy just need a little time for themselves. We love you very much.  Kiss, Kiss, Kiss for each of you.  Now go do your homework.

PPS:  For the full perspective please read He Said… and Date Night Revisited.