DATE NIGHT OUT: Amore and Spaghetti
Posted: Tuesday, March 09, 2010
by John Brazell
I'm "out there" dating, again. You could say my dating is dated and you'd be right.
A few years ago when I was a polygamist, married both to Corporate and my sweetie, the latter set her size-five foot down. She decided we'd start dating, again, and if I wasn't available she'd choose someone else that scrubbed up pretty well and had a sense of humor, like say Soupy Sales.
Actually SB is the love of my life and we've been together a long time. I told her in all sincerity that Gina Lollabrigida, Sophia Loren and Ann Margaret had always taken a back seat to her in my dreams. "It was mainly because it was more fun in the back seat." Nah, I didn't say that, but she did.
The Date-Night-Out (DNO) movement has been around for awhile. I think it started when June Cleaver told Ward she was sick and tired of putting on her pearls, girdle and nice apron only to serve pot-roast and biscuits to a snot-nosed kid named Beaver. Whatever, it caught on.
A while back a group of housewives lobbied to declare DNO a national holiday and honor it with a Hallmark Special Edition Card. McDonalds was an early sponsor but withdrew when the steering committee decided food served through a car window didn't count as dining out. After that things fizzled.
Last week SB and I were having our date as we normally do. This one was at our favorite indoor restaurant near the compound. As usual we giggled a lot, touched a little, and played Dean Martin Italian love songs both coming and going. Cell phones were left in the car, and our partial-plates were checked for stability before we left the house.
We settled into a corner booth, ordered two glasses of Chianti and awaited the magic of Amore and spaghetti. Instead we got Thor Sr., Aphrodite and escargot from the adjoining booth.
Thor was a tad shy of Medicare and Aphrodite ten or so years shy-er. It was apparent to everyone within a ten-foot radius this was their first social feeling-out encounter, at least in a non-physical sense. Both were waxed and spit-shined to please. The bellowing Thor raced to verbal dominance and began his diatribe with the day he left his mother's womb. SB and I, open to free entertainment and a "How to date in the 21 st Century" tutorial, shut down our carefree chatter, as if we had a choice, and listened in from Position A.
Thor: "I am the elder child. My first brother was born nine months and three days after me. My second brother was nine months and three days after him. My sister was nine months and seven days ... The entire family had great teeth"
Aphrodite: "Hmm."
Thor: "My parents were divorced, too many kids too close together, I think. But we were the Norman Rockwell Painting' family. You could have taken our photo and put it on a wall calendar. . ."
Aphrodite: "Hmm"
Thor: "I went to college at PU and took a job which required an outgoing personality like mine. I have three kids and four grand kids. They live in town ... I've done a lot of things but mainly I'm an entrepreneur. Did I say we were the Norman Rockwell family?"
Aphrodite: "Un-huh."
Thor: "I like to fish, ski, and sail ... have a 20 foot boat which is paid for."
Aphrodite: "Hmm."
Thor: I had a flair-up with Shingles once and should have taken the shot. How about you"
Aphrodite: "Un-huh"
Thor: "My first wife had hair like yours ... The second one was blonder and taller. How tall are you? ( Silence) Ah, you haven't said much"
Aphrodite: "I'm 5'6." Does an entrepreneur make a lot of money?"
Thor: "Well, sometimes. Did we agree to split the check? Waiter!"
SB and I laughed ourselves silly, dribbling wine in the process, and planned our next date hokey, outdated and unconventional though it may be.
"You know, sweetie, some people can cure' love and even frighten it away. And maybe you can only fall in love when you're young. But if you try just a little, you can find yourself an entrepreneur' most anytime."
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)I love unconventional and hokey, and once again, I loved your article John. I have a bad habit of hearing other conversations when we're out for dinner as well. It's sad that I find other people's lives more fascinating than my own. Great article, your wife is very lucky, so are you! Date nights are a great idea!Thanks Brianna, great to hear from you! Unfortunately, with lack of sensitivity to those near by, we are often forced to hear the most intimate of details. Coming from the OLD school, a romantic evening (assuming anyone has those these days) isn't to be shared. Best to you and enjoy your own DNO.John
Hi John.Great article and very entertaining. Thank you for sharing this well-written piece.All the best to you and SB.NenitaNenita, thanks so much for dropping by! There's so many dreary things going on around us, sometimes we have to make our own entertainment. Glad the story offered a respite and grin or giggle. Cherish the time with your own sweetie. And Best Writing and good wishes to you.John
Hey... I liked that- very entertaining. Just discovered your articles- Will definitely read more.- Thanks- EllaElla, thanks for dropping by. By golly we just have to make (or discover )our own fun now and again. Glad you enjoyed and keep smiling it's becoming.John
I loved reading this! Men don't often write about any kind of dating, please write more - and encourage all your men friends to follow suit! :) Also greatly looking forward to the release of The Unfinished Great American Novel! Finished or not, I'm sure it will be highly amusing...Hi Jennifer, hmm, and I don't know why more men don't write about the mating game. After all we're fifty percent of the deal. Perhaps I've stumbled over the line; next thing I'll be wearing pink. Nope, already do that. Growing up with four aunts, two sisters, and now two daughters and four granddaughters can have a profound effect. I sort of like it and have no idea what I might be like when I grow up.Thanks for dropping by and thanks for "loving it."John
Hi John,I am glad that you went along with date night. It is so important in a marriage. Before Mark and I were married our counseling pastor made sure that we understood and practiced this very needed night. It also provides for more quality time alone.Blessings,MichelleMichelle, thanks so much for you comments. Indeed those date nights are special times. And if you can find a little private spot, so much for the better.Best to you, John Brazell
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