First Date. Don't Be Late. Part 2

Having no recourse but to ride out the remainder of the ceremony, I made my way back to my seat. I anxiously checked my watch every few seconds or so, hoping that time was miraculously slowing as the pace of the service picked up. With the final remarks and applause, I stood up and began hustling my family towards the door— only to find that milk and cookies had been provided for our enjoyment. My children queued up without a second thought.



I realized that we would be in for another 20 minutes if I didn't do something. I looked at my wife and said, "Is there any way we can take the cookies to go?"

"Why? Is there someplace you need to be?" she responded, obviously thinking that I was behaving like a whiny, frustrated jerk.*

"OK. I'll tell you," I answered. "I called Julia to babysit. She's supposed to be at home, right now. I was planning on surprising you. That's why I was somewhat aloof when I borrowed your phone. I was trying to call her to let her know that we were running late."

Within a moment, it dawned on my wife that she was on the cusp of an evening out, away from the kids. Before I could pull the keys from my pocket, she had the children, cookies in hand, waiting by the car. On the way home, she called the baby sitter's mother (smart thinking) and got the new cell number. Julia had already left our house, assuming that the evening had been cancelled, but was happy to return. I was relieved that my plans had not ended in complete disaster.**

We ended up at our favorite Irish pub, The Hibernian. It's a great place to go on a Sunday night— all pints just $2.75! We had a semi-late dinner and enjoyed watching the Carolina Hurricanes defeat New Jersey in Game 6.*** How cool is that?!





*After almost 9 years of marriage, you start to pick up on these things.

**The only thing worse than neglecting to take your wife out is telling your wife about the grandiose plans you have for the evening and then failing to follow through.

***Yes, my wife appreciates watching the occasional hockey game. So, please don't tear me a new one about taking her to a bar to watch sports on our date.