1.18.2008

I like it, I love it, I want some more of it...

The other day my sweet, sweet friend Alana called me up to insist that she watch my three adorable rag-a-muffins so that my husband could take me out for a night on the town. I was blown away by her thoughtfulness-- she is 9 weeks away from baby number four-- and I almost turned her down-- until I looked across the room and my zombie-eyed lover-muffin (who was studying away his life at the dining room table) and made the snap decision to take her up on it. After I hung up I came back to my senses and was so ashamed of my selfishness that I decided I would call her right back and re-neg... I mean, who needs three extra needy kids at the end of a long day? I have a hard time with my lovely brood in the twilight hours and I am their mom-- why would I ever want to subject my dear almost-due friend to their delightful antics just so I could snatch a couple of kid free hours with Mr. Right? Luckily-- I got distracted and forgot to call her. So this morning when she called to hammer out the details, I found myself once again torn... what to do, what to do. I will FOREVER bless her name for insisting once again that we take a night out together and helping me to make plans to whisk my better half away after the kids I babysit were picked up. So- 5 o'clock rolled around and we fed Benjamin and packed a diaper bag and headed over to drop them off. I almost decided to take Benjamin with me. Other than one temple session and one SAA meeting (both of which he cried the entire way through), I haven't left my nine month old baby with anyone for any significant amount of time. But, once again, when the moment came, I was impressed that I found the courage to leave him behind and head out for two full kid-free hours with the man I love more than anything in the world. I'll have to admit that walking to the car together after dropping them off, I felt giddy and girlish-- like I was young-and-in-love. Somewhere in the last four years of pregnancy, nursing, and motherhood I think I've lost that part of me that sometimes likes to succumb to the whimsical girlish fluttering of the heart type feelings... but tonight, if but for a brief moment in time, I got my old groove back. Man, it felt good. We went out to eat at Ruby Tuesdays. We had an appetizer sampler, steak and potatoes, and the Blondie brownie with vanilla ice cream and caramel. Andrew also had the pomegranate lemonade which was amazing. I highly recommend it. The entire meal was divine. The funniest part of the evening came when we were ready to go to the incredible salad bar. When we've been to Ruby Tuesday's before, we've always had our rambuxious trio in tow, and we take turns going to get our salad with one while the other waits with the remaining two. Tonight when the magical moment arrived, we both just kind of looked at each other for a couple of minute--not really knowing what to do--before realizing that we could actually go fill our plates at the same time. It was pretty funny! All in all, tonight was a fabulous night. My kids were safe and well looked after and were reasonably well behaved for my friend (or so she kindly says... ;) They seriously had a great time. Thank you Alana, for the night out. I owe you-- BIG TIME!!! I hope I can be as thoughtful and as inspired as you are someday-- my angel of mercy! We had a great evening. Thanks for knowing just exactly what our relationship could use, even when we didn't! The only problem is that now I fear that I'm hooked. The kid-free date night left me wanting more... like the Tim McGraw song goes, "and I like it, I love it, I want some more of it"!

9 comments:

Rebecca said...

Great you got to get out! And I still owe you. Then you can get more!!! :)
You better call me!!! :)SERIOUSLY!!! :)My kids would love to have somebody to play with.

TerriLyn said...

That is awesome! I'm so glad that you guys got to go out. What a sweetheart Alana is. I need to mention also that I do recall you doing much of the same thing for those around you too. You are such an angel also!

rebecca said...

Isn't it ironic that the most service-oriented person I have ever known in my life(Alana) is calling the other most service-oriented person I've known(you) and wanting to help you out! I admire both of you for that and learned much from both of you while I was in Kirksville. The best thing about both of you is you don't say to people,"Let me know if I can help you," or "Let me know if I can bring you dinner". You just do it :)

DeGooyer Family said...

Ruth, you're so sweet, but it really was our pleasure! Our kids play so well together, I hardly knew they were here. And Benjamin slept most of the time, so it was no extra work for us - REALLY. Glad you two got to go out - a weekly date is a TOP priority, in my opinion. =)

The Posse said...

I guess in order to get you to accept such an offer I need to catch you in a moment of weakness... duly noted. I'm so glad that amazing woman gave you some time with Andrew! Like Rebecca said- amazing to see the two most service-oriented people serving each other!

Melissa said...

It is amazing that at this point in med school, a simple date to a good restauarant has the ability to revive a relationship and replenish the love between you guys... ahhh, I am sure it felt GREAT! I am glad you guys had such a great time. You, if anyone, deserve it!!!

Randomanda said...

hey ruth! I just wanted you to know that I got a blog too.. check it out.
later skater.

Randomanda said...

update! something! anything!

Erin said...

Wow, seriously, friends are the best. I'm so glad that you guys got to ditch the kids for some one-on-one time. What a fun evening! You've got me thinking I need to drop off my kids somewhere and kidnap my husband. :)