Creative Dating

So, I guess after all these years I still am unclear of the profession of the person I'm married to.  Does that mean I don't know "who" I'm married to?!?!  He's not really a dispatcher, mechanic, truck driver, teacher, DOT inspector, farmer, volunteer, problem solver...  He's all of those and so much more, but no matter how many hats he wears during a given week, he is still most importantly my husband and the father of our children.

Work/commitments/volunteering have been crazy busy around here lately. Fulfilling for sure, but challenging at times, too.  Our baby, Kate, turns 5 on Sunday and we made some time to go shopping for her gifts Saturday.  This is where the creative dating comes in.  We don't often get babysitters, so when it actually all works out we try and capitalize on the opportunity.

The girls and I spent Saturday morning at a bridal shower at church.  When I came home there was a vase of flowers on the counter, I asked Jake where they came from and he said, "What flowers?" typical 10 year old boy response...I asked Scott when he came home from work what the flowers were all about - flowers don't often just "appear" on my counter.  He said, "They're for you."  I pointed out the fact that there was no card.  Scott's response was, "Baby, everything you already know is what I would have written on that card.  I don't do cards."  Point taken.

Anyhow.  After flying through The Country Collage, Harley Davidson, Mills Fleet Farm, Kohl's, Target, and The Children's Place, we finally had everything we needed for Kate's birthday - not fancy, but we DO live in Southern Minnesota!  The "Dad" part was taken care of.  Then Scott took the time to take me to one of OUR FAVORITE places to eat in Mankato - Number 4!

Now on to the "Husband" part.  Scott knows I'm passionate about my food - I like it to look pretty and taste phenomenal!  He takes the time to research restaurants he thinks we might like.  A couple of years ago he came across Number 4 and it's been a go-to ever since.  We opted for quick sandwiches, so Scott splurged and tried their signature Bloody Mary, "The Weekender."  Prior to a year ago we had never tried Bloody Marys, so I decided to research it and make Scott one for Father's Day.  Since then he has become quite the connoisseur.  Scott was impressed by "The Weekender" and it was a good appetizer, too, as you can see!  The food there does not disappoint!  I had a sandwich called a "Sweetie Thai" - grilled chicken, smoked bacon, truffle and jalapeno cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet Thai chili sauce on a sourdough hoagie - the truffle and jalapeno cream cheese was amazing!  Scott had a "Compton Burger" - pastrami, apple wood smoked bacon, pickles, American and Swiss cheese, and spicy Dijon mustard.  You should check out Number 4 if you like to step outside the box with your food!  My favorite part is our "tradition" of ending each meal at Number 4 by sharing the Creme Brulee Sampler - this time the flavors were pistachio, white chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate....YYYUUUMMM!

We learn to treasure the creative moments we do have together - the spontaneous "date" built into a shopping trip, Mexican take out to eat watching our favorite TV series finale after the kids go to bed, a pizza and movie night together at home, even following Scott to drop off trucks so that we can have time together on the ride home....it's not about the cost or location - it's about the person and conversation.