Pete and I recently relived our wild and crazy dating days! Actually it was the total opposite. Upon Mom and Dad Schafer's return from Arizona visiting Sr. John-Mark, the whole family gathered at Pizza Hut for some good eats where Lisa mentioned that she was going out to hear a band in Cuyahoga Falls and extended the invitation. I quickly blurted, "Hmm... maybe. Sounds like fun. I've got a babysitter!" Babysitter- father- well they can be one in the same. I had been craving some time out without the kids which gets more difficult with Pete's evening schedule of classes. I then learned that Matt and Debbie were making the trip out. Not too crazy about having to drive out on my own when I'm just as pleased to stay home and spend a relaxing evening with a good film and popcorn next to my husband I had nearly dismissed the opportunity.
As we pulled out of the parking lot after dinner though, Pete's comment of, "Well, it's obvious my siblings like you more than me. They didn't invite me out!" Feeling a little bad for the poor guy, I suggested that my babysitter comment probably kai-bashed his invitation and then asked if he wanted to go. "Are you asking me on a date?" "Yes, I guess so."
Now to find a sitter...
Yay for Grandma Angie and her willingness to take on the challenge. Still, it took some serious consideration since Augustine and Clement had fallen asleep on our way home from Pizza Hut and us going out would mean loading them back up in the car and heading to Portage County where they would spend the night with their parents out on the town.
In our deliberations I plainly asked Pete, "Is this the responsible choice? Is this what parents should do?" His response: "What most parents do?"
Enticed by the spontaneity of the plan we loaded the boys back up in Viceroy, jammy clad and bags in tow. Not that parenting, lacks spontaneity- seriously folks- every single moment with young children can be a surprise, a curveball, a dizzying adventure. I can't really rationalize it any other way, but a date night is a self-centered choice to live a little, throw caution to the wind, and just BE. I specifically chose self centered over selfish because that small ounce of adult time can work wonders in rejuvenating a connection between husband and wife and keep the marriage and family persevering through the mundane, through the chaos, through the rich and through the poor.
Minus the weekly social gatherings at B-dubs for fifty cent wings, the bar scene was not part of Pete and I's courting routine. I'm certainly not complaining, but this out of the ordinary experience, loud 80s cover band music, eclectic crowds of 21 year olds newly inducted to the drunken stupor club and 65 year olds high on life masquerading confident dance moves and hat tricks, surrounded by glowing football broadcasts and equally bright and animated wardrobes and language, and the onslaught of smells of yeasty ale, overly applied cologne, fried foods, and nicotine tainted breath exhibited a certain kind of intrigue.
Ultimately, though, it would be quite easy for me to pass on the experience should the opportunity arise again. I enjoyed the time talking (or should I say screaming) with Pete and other adults, but would pass with the sore throat which resulted. I enjoyed the tasty Baja burger that we shared cooked to our liking, accompanied by cheesy French fries with bacon that I did not have to cook nor do the dishes for afterward, but our pretzel buns are better and much more cost effective. I enjoyed wibble-wobbling around on the dance floor with my husband, but much prefer the musical beats in our own heads and the BOOM-shawkka-lawkas that erupt in the comforts of our own home and the boys' individuality and creative rhythms that add to the mix.
You know what the best part of the date was?!?!? Spending time with my husband: the long car ride to the pub and back where we could talk and make a bunch of relatively simple decisions without interruptions, our laughs we shared as we interjected various phrases and actions characteristic of our boys in their absence, our revisiting fun, interesting memories from our pasts like Pete's love of Tears for Fears and my knowledge of Tainted Love from multiple viewings of Coneheads on TBS, the uninterrupted night of sleep, knowing that our offspring were safe and well taken care of at the grandparents (where they all slept marvelously through the night- How does that always happen?!?!), and Pete's disappointment when I showed up for Mass without the boys. Even though they went with Grandma and Grandpa, we both felt somewhat guilty and strange without having to wrestle the cute little minions in the pew. Beautiful. Being united in our thoughts, actions, hopes, and dreams and striving to share a life of faith together with our family.
It's no wonder it's crazy to think we've been married nearly six years and the countless adventures we've experienced so far. The time has flown by even since these pictures from November of 2014. We like to party- for feast days, for holidays, for every days. It doesn't matter if we're hanging out on Spangler Road, heading to the beach, or shopping for a vacuum (more on that later), the Schafer family is one movin' and a groovin', happnin' crew!
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