The Way We Were

My awesome friend Beth watched Tater this past weekend so Brad and I could finally go out and celebrate our anniversary. She had to give me a little shove to get me out the door (literally), but once we were out we had a great time. It was fun to remember what it was like back when it was just the two of us. Going on a date post-baby also reminded us how much more awesome Dating Brad and Sandra were compared to Parents Brad and Sandra.

Here is how our night WOULD have likely gone c. 2004:

9:00 PM: Arrive for dinner at Longman & Eagle (OK, it wasn't there then, but this is hypothetical). Are told that the wait will be 1.5 to 2 hours. Who cares! More time for flirting and witty banter at the bar. Immediately order whiskey cocktails.
9:30 PM: Cocktails gone. Whee! This is fun! Tipsy Dating Sandra talks Brad into sharing a whiskey flight.
10:30 PM: We are shown to our table. Enjoy a leisurely dinner of apps, entrees, dessert and coffee. Oh, and what the heck, Tipsy Dating Brad orders a bottle of wine. We're celebrating, and it's not like we have to be anywhere in the morning!
11:30 PM: Become drunk friends with the hipster foodie guys at the table next to us.
MIDNIGHT: Convince hipsters to join us at Liar's Club for dancing and PBR's. Whee!
2:30 AM: Leave hipsters and head to local 4 a.m. dive bar for a nightcap.
3:00 AM: I'm huuuunnnnngry. Who wants PANCAKES??? Head to Hollywood Grill for pancakes and coffee.
3:45 AM: Come home and pass out, sleep until 11 AM the next day, go out for pancakes. Come home and take naps.

Here is how our night actually went:

9:00 PM: Arrive at Longman & Eagle. Are told the wait will be 1.5 to 2 hours. Crap. Will that work? We don't want Beth to be stuck at our house all night. Decide to put our name in anyway and see what happens. Head to the bar and order whiskey cocktails.
9:30 PM: Uh oh. I realize I haven't eaten since noon and am seriously drunk from one whiskey cocktail. Brad orders appetizers for us as the bar.
10:00 PM: Appetizers arrive. I ravenously and gracelessly eat crostini and cheese and drop a piece on Brad's shoe. He seems a little annoyed.
10:30 PM: We are shown to our table. We've already had our appetizers, so we order entrees. We very responsibly decide to each get a glass of wine with dinner rather than a bottle. We split a dessert, and Brad orders a double espresso.
11:00 PM: Do not become drunk friends with hipster foodies when they start chatting with Brad about his entree. Sober Parent Sandra finds them somewhat pretentious and annoying.
11:30 PM: Arrive home and fall asleep on the couch. Brad is up half the night because of the espresso. No pancakes.

OK, maybe we aren't less awesome now. Just more responsible. But I do miss the pancakes.