Nothing Too Bananas
Our date night together was fairly uneventful.
A quick Google search for “Boston Cuban restaurant” presented only one result- El Oriental De Cuba. I’ve been craving Cuban food for weeks. More like years. Okay, perhaps since I moved out of Miami. Anyway, I had Googled the restaurant before, but never ventured to go with Babisodes. The reviews online mention “a few tables” in a “small restaurant setting.” And only having street parking in a congested part of town. These things never mix well with toddlers. So we finally ceased the opportunity to go for our date night.
At 8pm, with a GPS itinerary set, we backed out of the driveway, completely child-free.
The drive alone was a bit surreal. It was nighttime. When I would normally be winding down the day indoors, I was actually not home. The familiar streets and storefronts emerged differently. As if my everyday world became blanketed in black velvet. Cars and buses driving alongside lit up the road. I had forgotten this world. Forgotten that it still existed, a world at night, beyond the hours of bedtime. Crowds of people opening menus and ordering drinks as my daughter fell deep into slumber. I used to be part of this world. I used to be one of them. How did I forget?
All of the restaurant reviews were true. Parking was a bitch. Maybe 8 or 9 tables already seating patrons, not 1 kid in the joint. But the aroma of black beans and rice oozing from the tiny corner establishment, kept us going in our never-ending quest for street parking.
After the gluttony of shredded beef and ham croquettes, we decided that sitting through a 2-hour long movie would not be a wise decision. Instead, we tucked ourselves into the dark velvet sidewalks of Harvard Square. Street musicians filled creased alleyways and corners with an assortment of horns, strings, and vocals. Each audience lost in a tune. A cool breeze rustled the leaves above in the tall maples. I grabbed Dadisodes’ arm and pulled him close. We walked, and walked. Just holding hands.
Like I said. It was uneventful. Merely a simple night out. Nothing fancy. But for us, one child-free night just walking (and not having to share even 1 sweet, precious fried plantain) was priceless.
Thanks for the trip back to Boston. I lived there for 12 years–met my wife there, hatched two kids, and then moved to small-town USA. Your post reminds me of many “dates” with our youngest strapped in an infant seat, asleep on a table–or under one. We took the child-seat bowling in Cambridge, for great Italian food between Harvard and MIT, and for mini golf at Jillians near Fenway Park… oh, and for dim sum in China Town. Never anything special, but our first night out without kids didn’t come until we visited in-laws in Naples, FL some two-and-a-half years after the first kid was born.
Daniel’s last blog post..Small Town Values
September 8th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I’ve never been to Boston with the husband. Reminds me that I should … your evening sounded very simple and very, very romantic.
It’s amazing what a different world kids thrust you into, isn’t it? How nice to be able to recapture some of the “previous life” … it’s so important, couple time. Glad to see that you think it is too
Karen MEG’s last blog post..Weekly Winners #35
September 8th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Sounds wonderful!
Almost 2 years ago, when we moved, we lived with my parents while we were building our house. When the kids (then 2 and 3 1/2) were in bed, we would sneak out to Dairy Queen for a quick, simple date.
I remember that same surreal feeling of being out in the dark without the kids. It felt strange and wonderful…almost sinful.
Glad you had a great date!
Beth (A Mom’s Life)’s last blog post..Miracle Monday
September 8th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
The plantains look deelish! I think sometimes uneventful dates remind you of why you fell in love in the first place. It’s the togetherness that matters.
Anglophile Football Fanatic’s last blog post..Freedom From Unease
September 8th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
That sounds delicious and like a great night together. I may have to hit the Cuban restaurant out here this week.
Yertle’s last blog post..Monday Motivator
September 8th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Daniel- You sound like you hit all the great spots while in Boston! We’re still fairly new here, but we’re loving it
Dim sum in Chinatown is a must! 2.5 years until your first date night? Yikes! Hope you’re getting more time alone these days.
Karen Meg- Definitely head out here for a visit! Couple time is so precious now.
Beth- You’re so right. It did almost feel sinful
Like I was sneaking out of my parents house almost. I love DQ!
AFF- Plantains are so yummy! I think I miss that most about living in SoFla. I think you’re right. It’s the simple times that really reminds us
Yertle- Oooh….do it! Have a Cafe con Leche for me
September 8th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
just poped in to say Hi. Hugs and God’s Blessings.
Mike Golch’s last blog post..just a quicky.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
You’re right, being out and about at nighttime is weird to me now. That, and being empty-handed and actually able to hold hands with my husband again feels strange, yet familiar.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Sounds like a great night to me!
I get the same way when I go out at night, especially in the summer. I am so used to following kid time.
Beth’s last blog post..the first day of school, and I am crying again
September 8th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
one child-free night . . .
Heck, I’m pretty sure you could sew plastic bags together and it be fabulous.
It’s the whole TOGETHER things that is so awesome . . .
LaskiGal’s last blog post..A Swimingly Perfect Day
September 8th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Dinner alone with Dadisodes- $100;
GPS to get there- $350;
not having to share plantains…priceless!!!
I’m glad you and Dadisodes got a night out together. I think it’s what the doctor ordered. You two definitely deserved that evening, Hopefully you won’t have to wait as long for the next date night.
September 8th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Oh, it sounds like a wonderful evening. A chance to reconnect as a couple…
SarahHub @ Oakbriar Farm’s last blog post..Summer Brew & Little Stars
September 8th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Oh my God!
So romantic!
Hugs xxx
Jientje’s last blog post..Happy Birthday!!!!!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
It sounds like such a beautiful night and the way you describe it makes me think I’m reading the ending of a romantic chapter. Love the fried bananas picture!
Aurora’s last blog post..No stars today
September 8th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Sounds amazing and much better than going to a movie. I am all for the music and the walking.
Christine’s last blog post..Soon The Snow Flies…Way To Soon!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Oh, how delish, Sandy. All of it. So glad you had such a perfect evening. So romantic, too!
Maggie’s Mind’s last blog post..Congrats and Hotness, Too!
September 8th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Success!!! I’m so proud of you!!!
Yeah Momisodes & Dadisodes!!
I hear Barry White playing in the background as I read this.
Grandy’s last blog post..Bald Men with Back Hair
September 8th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I am so jealous of where you live. Mass. was my favorite place when I travelled for work.
Good for you two, for having this reconnecting moment. I haven’t had an adult night out in ages. It’s one of my goals once I get to a comfortable weight. To have a night out on the town! Hopefully with a hunky guy in tow. Oh, did I just say that?
September 9th, 2008 at 12:43 am
It sounds like a great date night. Heck, my husband and I went to the grocery store for the first time in years without a child with us and that was a thrill. LOL!!
Karen of the MomDot Street Team
http://www.MomDot.com
Karen of Sillymonkeez’s last blog post..Silly Monkey Stories: Art is a Process
September 9th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Oh how I miss Harvard Square!!!!!!!
BusyDad’s last blog post..In Other News, Vol. 4
September 9th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Sounds wonderful!
dysfunctional mom’s last blog post..Advice from the DysFUNctional Family
September 9th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Yea for date night! Fried plantains are one of my favorites.
wright’s last blog post..Heil Herr Husband
September 9th, 2008 at 8:42 am
so similar to our date afternoons (yep. we old that way)
we do nothing and yet NOTHING is more precious.
MizFit’s last blog post..Kickin’ it OLD SCHOOL. Rowing style (and, alas, sans Will Ferrell).
September 9th, 2008 at 8:43 am
What a lovely time the two of you had. Simple. Romantic. That’s what being together is all about.
lceel’s last blog post..An Award and The Aging Man
September 9th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Well good for you Sandy;o) SO glad you guys got some alone time. Me being divorced now, I realise that it is SO important not to forget about grown up time. So glad you enjoyed yourselves!
September 9th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Looks delicious! Nice to see you had a good time!
Mark Salinas’s last blog post..MidWeek Challenge
September 9th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
*yippee* so happy for you that you got out with your man. i soo know how you feel when you walk outside into the real world. staying in the house all the time certainly does have an impact. enjoy the rest of your week sweets enjoying the glow of a nice eve alone with the one you love. *lovies*
September 9th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
that seems like a GREAT night!!! i love cuban food!! can’t wait to find more spots in gainesville!!!
jameil’s last blog post..Git ‘Er Done
September 9th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
It sounds like heaven to me. Perfect. Just as a date should be.
How easily we forget what that feels like. To be out and about during the night hours. Isn’t it fun?
Kathryn’s last blog post..Church Chat?
September 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Even the “Uneventful” nights out are a breath of fresh air…
Glad you got away.
missy wiggins’s last blog post..PBSN: Getting clean on the cheap!
September 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Nice uneventful beats trapped at home. Glad you got to enjoy a night out.
soge shirts’s last blog post..No Diggnity
September 9th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Sounds like perfection. That was actually the way D and I spent much of our earliest courtship – I was in grad school at the time. This was minus the Cuban restaurant, though, unfortunately.
Walking Harvard Square, though, listening to the street acts, maybe taking in a movie at the Brattle. It was nice.
Jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Please Help Ivy
September 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Priceless … and delicious, in more ways than one!
September 9th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Oh, this sounds like bliss. I ADORE Cuban food (my stepfather is Cuban, so I grew up eating it), and I LOVE Boston. I don’t know how I never registered before that you lived so close to there. *sigh of envy* I hope you feel rejuvenated after that evening. It sounds lovely.
MommyTime’s last blog post..Career Change, Anyone?
September 9th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Sounds like heaven to me!
Eve’s last blog post..At the Twin Falls County Fair
September 9th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
I’m delighted you were able to have a night out alone together ;–)
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller’s last blog post..Whimsical Wednesday #4 … just because ;–)
September 10th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Awww…I have tears in my eyes because I know EXACTLY how you feel. Just to walk alone (or with hubby) on a beautiful night without kid in tow is priceless. I have been to Harvard Square, back in the late 90s. It’s a great place and I recall some of the wonderful restaurants. Glad you had a nice time
September 10th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Sounds like a great date to me!
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September 10th, 2008 at 11:26 pm