The Friday Night Dates
During the first ten years or so of our married life, Peter and I had ‘date nights’ each Friday. Peter would return from the office with a bouquet of roses in hand. I would be dressed, coiffed, and ready for wherever he had planned for us to go. The first thing he called out in his cheerful and always happy voice as he entered the house, “Hello! I’m home!” I would come down the stairs with a huge smile on my face. He would present me with the bunch of roses, make a slight bow, kiss my hand, and say, “Milady, are you ready for our date?”
Of course I was. He had a way of making the most ordinary occurrences feel oh so special. One of our most mundane outings was to an old local German restaurant that had live music on Friday nights. We would dine and dance the night away. We loved it. Another was a place called The Crab House tucked on a little cobbled street in Long Island City in the middle of nowhere. Their food was delicious, and the atmosphere was welcoming.
For our birthdays and anniversaries, we decided not to exchange gifts but instead splurge on experiences together. We treated ourselves in Manhattan to plays, concerts, art openings, and fine dining after appreciating shows at The International Centre For Photography. We met famous photographers and had enriching encounters with their work.
One evening, we stumbled upon a delightful restaurant after an ICP event, enjoying luxurious delicacies in a cozy ambience. On another day, during a spontaneous winter drive, we explored a charming town and ended up having a delightful German dinner by crackling fireplaces, feeling like we were in a movie. It was an extended weekend full of unexpected joy and relaxation.
Peter’s thoughtful gestures and caring nature left Grandma Stella with treasured memories of their special moments together. She considers herself truly fortunate for having such a loving husband who made each date night memorable.