Photo from Reuters

This weekend Tom had to go out of state for his work.  He would be coming home on Monday night – our regular date night.  On top of this our daughter was having her wisdom teeth removed on Monday morning.  It seemed as if date night would have to be postponed.

Or would it?

As Tom was in flight towards Orlando, and as my daughter was recovering as planned without incident, I had an idea; I would prepare a home-cooked dinner of Tom’s favorite comfort foods, so when he walked in the door he’d think, “It’s good to be HOME!”

The Menu:

Roast Beef * Mashed Potatoes and gravy * Glazed Carrots

* Berry and Granola Frozen Yogurt *

So much happened over the weekend that we couldn’t wait for a chance to share with each other.  We ate dinner and talked and talked.  There were interruptions of helping our daughter with medications, ice packs and food, as well as unpacking and answering phone calls, but we continued where we left off, savoring each word and experience as if we had been together all weekend.

It was a perfect date night when you consider the purpose of date nights – to connect on a level which transcends parenthood, work and responsibility.  It’s relationship, and each year it grows stronger and stronger, no matter how many diversions are thrown into the mix.

Date nights aren’t so much an event on the calendar as they are a mindset.  This is who we are, and being together is the best part of date night, no matter what it is we’re doing.

How have date nights help you connect?