Bench Brunch or in Our Case... Steps Brunch

Being that we hadn't been on a date in some time and knowing that I had planned an awesome Father's Day (which unfortunately didn't happen...a super long story for family ears only), I thought I'd fit in a "quickie" on Saturday morning. I had been perusing my cards looking for something short and sweet. The card says, "Pick your favorite public bench and invite your honey to a bench date complete with bagels, coffee.... Be sure to give explicit directions to the bench were you are to rendezvous...."

I planned this the night before with Charlie's nap schedule in mind, thinking we'd rendezvous around 10:00 AM, right after his morning nap, as he wakes up about 6:00 AM and then goes back down about 8:30AM. Charlie, however, had other plans. Have you figured out yet that this was another one of those "family cheap dates"? The "alarm (aka Charlie)" went off at 7:15 (I love you Sunshine for letting us sleep in), however, and I had some quick thinking to do. I quickly jumped out of bed, told Kevin I had plans for us and to wait for further instructions. "What? No shower? What kind of plans do you have?" he questioned. I could hear it in his voice that he wasn't too optimistic about "my plans".

After getting dressed, brushing my teeth, and throwing my hair in a ponytail, I gave the boys a quick kiss and said, "get a move on and keep your phone near by". I grabbed a sippy cup of milk and a banana for Charlie along with his diaper bag and headed out the door. I drove down to Starbuck's bought a new mug (mine broke, so I took his and bought him the new one. I'm an awesome wife), ordered our Soy Chai Latte and Breve Latte, and texted Kevin, "Ready" (yes, I know I forgot the question mark) while I waited for our coffees. His reply was, "5 min and we're good." A few minutes later, I heard my cell phone ping "Rdy" (God, I hate abbreviations. It took me forever to figure out that BTW meant "by the way"). I ran next door to Noah's and got our regular weekend bagels and hopped back in the car. Sitting in the car, I realized I had forgotten two crucial pieces to the "date" so I texted, "Bring a blanket..it's colder than I thought. Please bring my wedding ring and wait further instructions." I didn't hear from him so I had to ask, "Did you ger (get) my message?" "No" was the response and then I read, "getting ring".

As I made my way to the destination, I started to feel a little giddy, knowing I forgot something key, but I would have to do it at a later date or a different date. As I arrived and knowing I needed a few minutes to set up, I texted, "Head to the car." Immediately, I read, "There."

I jumped out of the car, grabbed the coffee and bagels and our "to go blanket" (best purchase in Chicago. Thank you Bed, Bath, and Beyond) It's a blanket that folds up into a zippered pouch with a strap and it spends its life in the back on the car when our butts aren't using it.

I skipped down the steps and sent, "Meet me at...." trying to make him guess, wait, create some mystery...really I was just being a pain in the ass at this point. So I added to my final text, "the steps where we said I DO!" "Omw" was the response. Still not sure what that is. I know "Mmwaa, Aw, Sweet, OMG!", but what the hell is "Omw"? Oh, my wife...that fits. So, as I sit here typing (as Kevin is watching a ball game) I ask "What is "Omw"? and he replies, "on my way". Should I admit that I'm somewhat disappointed? I think I should have let it be and thought it meant something endearing. The day before I texted him that he looked hot and I got an "Aw shucks!" I think that was the type of thing I thought "Omw" meant. Next time, I won't ask. I'll just enjoy the thought that that little abbreviation that I cannot comprehend means something along the lines of, "I love you, Sweetie. You're the best wifey in the world."

Back to the story. I laid down the blanket on the very spot where Kevin and I were married by Jon. I set out the coffee, milk, and bagels and waited. I enjoyed a few minutes of peace and quiet and re-read a section of my book, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (this is a whole other blog). After a few minutes, Charlie and Kevin came down the stairs hand in hand. Charlie is now a master stair climber, but still needs a hand once in a while.

Kevin bent over to give me a kiss and handed me my ring. I gave it back to him. He got the hint and he placed it on my finger. "Good job," I thought to myself. The next time, I'm bringing a copy of our vows so we can "get married again". Sitting down beside me, Kevin joined me in our "Steps Brunch" cheap date. Charlie wandered around, explored the endless steps, had a few bites of bagel, and eventually made his way to the park.

During our date, I received a text that my college friend and her kids along with another friend and her kids would be arriving in Oakland at 11:30. I texted back that we would host lunch, as is was cheaper than going out and I already had most of the stuff. "I'll run to Safeway and get stuff for PB and J and run home and shower." I knew Charlie still needed some more play time and Kevin said, "I'll go to Trader Joe's and get lunch for the adults. By the way, the place is cleaned." I kissed him and Charlie good-bye and was on my way. Talk about team work. By the way, I did have about 30 minutes of "cleaning my way", but Kevin and Charlie arrived with a beautiful bouquet of my favorite flowers (Gerbera daisies and lilies). After I jumped out of the shower, I peaked in the kitchen and found Kevin cleaning the stove (his job anyway, but really?) and cleaning off the top of the refrigerator. Now, what is this all about? Either, he was hoping to to get lucky with his wife later on or he was really trying to impress Lisa and Kim. I knew they wouldn't notice the top of the refrigerator, but I was secretly grateful. My guess he was hoping to get lucky.

It was a wonderful, quick "cheap date", all of 45 minutes. But it was a perfectly lovely day, until....like I said it's a story for family ears only. And the CBN (Charlotte Broadcast Network) is going to her grave on this one. I know...it'll be a first.