Heather Camlot

We did it. We finally did it. Marc and I went out on a date. A real date. I think the last time we went out together without the kids was in the middle of winter. Yes, we went shopping and to dinner. But because we really needed to buy clothes, it was more chore than fun (I never thought I would say that about shopping) and by dinner time, we resigned ourselves to eating at a restaurant at the mall because we were completely exhausted and starving and didn’t think we’d be able to drive in our state.

But this time, we did it right. Well, almost. We decided to do dinner and a movie. Because the movie times were 7 pm or 9 pm (whatever happened to 8 pm?) we thought it best to go to an early movie – less likely to fall asleep – and then get a bite to eat. We headed to a nearby Cineplex and bought tickets for Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. I had rented the first movie during my first annual “alone weekend” – which means the kids and Marc go to the cottage with his parents and I do whatever I want – and loved it. So when the sequel came out, it was an easy choice. Little did I know we’d walk into a theatre full of kids! Yep, our date night movie was packed with the elementary-school set.  Nonetheless, the movie was just as good as the first -- I was crying from laughing so hard at times. And I bet those kids didn’t get half the jokes.

We then randomly chose a restaurant as we drove towards home. Hello My Name is Leslie Jones in the Leslieville district of Toronto was our great find. (Although when I mentioned it to SweetMama editor Nadine she said it was already her local hangout...I really must get out more.) The bistro-style restaurant was packed (with adults). Our waiter was funny, the food delicious, the music awesome and the atmosphere just right.

I can honestly say I still feel refreshed from our date night. I just hope we can make it a regular habit, not a seasonal one.

How often do you have date night and what do you do? Log in and leave your comment below!