First Time In A Long Time

Tonight Alberto and I went on our first date night since February. February 15th, to be exact. I remember that night clear as day...like it was yesterday. 

We started our night at one of our favorite places in downtown PDX: Noble Rot. It was our first date night place downtown and we loved it so much the first time, we visit it often. This time, it was just for appetizers and drinks. They have the most delicious onion rings and both Al and I had a taste for them that night, so, we knew immediately we would stop there first. Since I was pregnant, I couldn't drink...but, boy did the delicious non-alcoholic beverage I indulged in do a great job of making me forget about not being able to drink an alcoholic beverage. It was a ginger limeade. No joke...it might be the most tasty drink I've EVER had. It was THAT good. I enjoyed the first one so much, I ordered another one. We had a great time sitting there chatting, eating, and just being merry. I can remember feeling so good that night - like my life was just amazing. We'd just saw our second baby for the first time, we were told that our baby was healthy and growing nicely, that I was healthy, and things were great overall. I think the reason I remember this date night so well and think so fondly of it is because this date happened in our "sweet spot". That point in time when we were over the moon happy and excited about my pregnancy and the eventual arrival of our second child. Everything was just perfect. Little did I know...right? Anyway, after drinks at Noble Rot we headed over to Urban Fondue in one of my favorite downtown neighborhoods. It's off Glisan and 21st street, I believe...where another one of our favorite restaurants (Blue Olive NW) is. The food was underwhelming there, but, all in all it was a great night. I enjoyed being out with my husband and spending quality, couple time - just the two...well, just the three of us.  

My ginger limeade is on the left...yyyyuuuuummm.

Urban Fondue fare

Flash back to tonight...

We decided to ease into date night again with a low key night at the movies. We'd bought a Groupon for this placed called Cinetopia. It came with two movie tickets and a drink credit. Nice, since we love our cocktails ;-) Alberto chose "The Neighbors". He thought it would be a good idea for us to see a funny movie - I agreed. After dropping Isla off at my friend M's house (thank you so much M!), we high tailed it to the theater and started our night off with a few cocktails and an appetizer in bar right next to the theater. Spinach artichoke dip...it was pretty tasty. I had a class of a cabernet sauvignon and Al had a few beers. It was nice. Just like the last time we'd had a date night. It felt good to be with my husband. To focus on he and I and try to have a good time. I made this a priority, because, I'd had a grief counseling session earlier in the day and Erin, my counselor, told me that I needed to try to create some good things/memories for myself. Tonight, she said, was a prime example. She said that I needed to just push everything else away for a few hours and focus myself and my energy on being happy and present in these moments with my husband. I'm glad she said that because sometimes, I can get lost in punishing myself and feeling guilty for being happy or having a good time because I lost my child. I too have to convince and remind myself (like I remind others) that just because I am breathing, laughing, smiling, or having a good time doesn't mean I forgot about my baby. It doesn't mean I miss her any less or that I love her any less. It just means that I am trying to honor her by living my life and being happy...because that is what she wants for me. To remember her, love her, think of her, miss her, and honor her - but to be happy, too. So I am trying to do that - every.single.day.

Our movie started at around 7:20p, and, we had just enough time to have a drink (or two for Al) and our appetizer and then make our way into the theater with time to spare. We ordered more drinks, an order of fish and chips, and then settled into the movie. It was pretty funny. You know...that dumb, frat humor kind of stuff. But, it was just what we needed. Just what I needed. A stupid, silly movie to get my mind off of everything else going on in my life. I laughed, smiled, and for a few hours, I felt like my life was okay again. 

So, yay for date nights. Looking forward to the next one...we'll get another one on the 31st of this month :-)