As those of you with kids know, getting out alone with your partner can be challenging. After all, I use my "favors" for when I have a conference, such as BlogHer, a running event, or other such thing that is certainly fun, but not with my husband. Even doing these "optional" things can seem trivial. After all, I've begged my mom to watch the kids so I can get my hair done. Sure it is vain, but it is also necessary. Do you really want my roots to be so apparent that I look like a skunk? And my eyebrows must be waxed or I look like a caveman.
In all seriousness, though, I've pulled the last-minute "OMG, there is a work emergency!" or "My son's teacher wants to meet with me alone!" cards. During my sons' lives thus far we've had plenty of unexpected things come up, usually not allowing for the traditional agreement using the teenage babysitter down the street.
And so, actual "date nights" are such a treat.
This week, my husband and I tried out a restaurant new to us, but one that has been around a looooong time. We dined at Historic John's Grill, the setting in Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon.
We scored an excellent table - "the mobster table" my husband explained, because nobody was to our backs. We tried some unique cocktails, had a fabulous meal, and then were smitten by a couple small freebie drinks. The waiter laughed as he delivered them, "This isn't to force you to get dessert," he explained.
But we did get dessert. And, we wanted to get the full-size of the drinks he had brought us. (How's that for how free stuff can lead people to spend more money!?)
It turns out that the drink we so enjoyed was simply Kahlua with milk. Yup, just Vitamin D milk. It appeared about 1 part Kahlua, 2 parts milk, served over ice. I tried it at home and it worked perfectly. So simple, and yet it tastes soooo goooood. It looks pretty glamorous if the drink isn't mixed: ice first, then Kahlua, then milk - nice striated effect.
Of course with no kids to distract us, my husband and I had an opportunity to talk without fear of interruption. What a novel idea! It is nice to just "visit" with someone without a sense of urgency.
After our meal, we had the pleasure of attending the theater production of Beauty and the Beast. (Read more at Spectrum of Reviews.) It is quite a luxury to attend a performance without worrying that the kids will interrupt, need to go to the restroom, or otherwise require attention that should be directed towards the stage.
Sure, it would be great to have "alone" time more frequently, but of course then it wouldn't be quite a treat. That said, it really is vital. I know it sounds and feels like a luxury to have a night on the town, but even a little bit of sans-kids time is necessary to relax and refresh - especially right before school starts with its accompanying parental responsibility.
So thank you universe for allowing my husband and I a little bit of "us" time!
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Disclaimer: We paid for our own transportation and dinner. SHN San Francisco provided us tickets to the musical, which I reviewed for Spectrum of Reviews. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so the link to The Maltese Falcon is embedded with my code to kick back a few cents if you happen to make a purchase.
