Date Night

So Freddie and I had our first date night since Liam was born and it was definitely different. It was hard to get Liam off my mind. I managed to only text Michael (who was so great and babysat for us) once the whole night. Freddie had to constantly remind me that we were on a date and that bills, most things Liam and school were taboo subjects to be discussed not while on a date. But we had a good time. We went to Chilies and ate a few appetizers and a dessert; can you say Molten Chocolate Cake... Amazing! Which brings me to the discussion of an observation; isn't it counter productive to put T.V.'s on every wall in a restaurant? I personally go out to eat to visit and enjoy company, not to watch sports updates and karate tournaments. It was crazy to watch these families and couples come into the restaurant and then zone out to the sports channel. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get cable and eat at home? Now we went to Chilies because we had a gift card to use and their food was alight. All I'm saying is that it was a little weird in a twilight zone way.

Anyway, we then went and saw Inception. It was a fantastic film that I would definitely go and see again. Apparently I'm not the only one that feels that way because all I heard the next day from everyone else was how awesome they thought the film was... which also made it seem like we were the last people on earth to see that one.

By far the strangest thing that happened all night was when we picked our seats in the theater. Now I will wait in line for hours to get the seat I want in a theater. I don't particularly think theater seats are very comfortable unless you get the ones on the front row of the stadium seats with the bar you can put your feet up. I also have a thing about sitting in the middle of the screen. I have gone to great lengths in the past to ensure I get those particular seats and while it sounds a little spoiled, I get really put out when I can't get them. Continuing on, the theater was mainly empty which wasn't unusual considering Inception had been out for weeks and it was a 10 p.m. movie on Thursday night. But sure enough there was one lone man sitting in "my" seat. No big deal, I can still sit in my favorite row and get as close to the middle as possible. So Freddie and I proceed to move into the row and right up to the seat next to the lone man. As we approach Fred asks if the seat next to him is taken. Now I'm already a little weary of the dude as he looking a bit surly and is muttering to himself and I'm positive I heard an expletive or two escape this private one sided conversation of his. He gives no audible answer so Freddie asks again and the man responds with surprising volume and anger "The whole theater is empty and you want to sit by me all night?" Ok... wasn't expecting that one. Hoping to avoid a more unpleasant exchange I quickly explain that I like the middle seats in the front with the bar. The Lone Man simply goes back to muttering under his breath and proceeds to work a scratch and win card. Freddie and I move one seat down and settle in.

At this point there is still fifteen minutes or so until the previews even begin so Freddie and I proceed to talk. Not loudly mind you, we're just talking, maybe laughing a little, but by no means disturbing anyone else around us, neither are we the only couple in the mostly empty theater having a conversation. But apparently our interaction during the commercials and such they show before a film starts was disturbing to the Lone Man as his muttering grew louder and I was made aware of his considerably large sailor quality vocabulary. Suddenly he stood up and huffed off to find another seat clearly annoyed with our presence. It is the only time in my life that I'm aware of that someone has deliberately moved seats so as not to be near me. Mouth agape Freddie looked at me, "We weren't going to talk during the movie." True, we both detest movie talkers but what we were doing could hardly be considered that as the lights were still on and some advertisement about corporate usage of the theater was playing. I almost got up to confront the Lone Man and ask him what his problem was. Freddie asked if I wanted to move over another seat to the middle; we had a good laugh over our friend's extreme anti-social behavior and settled in to enjoy the film.

We finally made it home just about 2 a.m., exhausted and ready for bed but having had a good time. Date night reminded us how important dating is and the necessity that demands that we take some time to focus on our marriage and nurture that most basic but crucial building block of our family.