Date Night

on November 3, 2009
in All Posts

The Husband took me on a date tonight!  :)  We went bowling!

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The Hus recently suggested that we reinstitute date night.  We use to go every week (on Thursdays), but we just fell out of the habit.  Sometimes, we feel like ships passing in the night, so a designated date night is a good habit for us.  Honestly, I think all couples should do it.

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The best part of this bowling alley is that its only $2 a game!  It’s crazy cheap.

 

We played two games, rented two shoes, got a mini pitcher of beer, and an order of fries for $21.  Can’t beat that!

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I broke one of my Back on Track Month goals by having a “none special occasion drink.”  The Husband presented a pretty strong and compelling argument that he is special and thus any time spent with him is a “special occasion.” :)  So I caved and drank an Amber Bock.

 

I think I spend too much time blogging:

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My Husband DOES actually have a name (it’s Kristien).

 

He is very serious about bowling and talks strategy the entire time:

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I am not so serious, ever (it’s a general personality trait):

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He ALWAYS wins!  It’s not fair.  I don’t think I’ve beat him once in the last six years (oh man, I can’t believe we’ve almost been together for SIX YEARS).

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Although I snagged a few curly fries, I managed to keep my hand out of the basket for most of the time.

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I was saving myself for a more nutritious dinner:

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I had steamed asparagus and a veggie burger with a pickle.

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Afternoon snacks included cereal:

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Goldfish crackers (organic off-brand kind):

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And Halloween candy:

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One of the most interesting things about food blogging is that I don’t think I would “remember” snacks if I couldn’t look back on my pictures.  I racked my brain at the bowling alley to remember if I had fruit as a snack, but couldn’t actually recall on my own.  When I looked through my camera and realized I had eaten straight carbs for snacks, I laid off the French fries.  I do think blogging makes me a better eater in general, as I tend to crash through my workday, frantically stuffing snacks in my mouth when my tummy rumbles.  Just a thought.  🙂

 

Off to bed I go! 

 

If you have a significant other, do you “date night”?  Or, do you have a “ladies night” (or “man night”!) with your friends?  My girlfriends and I used to meet at this one bar in Pittsburgh called Hemingway’s for $1 Blue Moons every Wednesday – it was so much fun to have a set night to get together!

{ 69 comments }

 

  • Christine November 3, 2009, 9:06 pm

    The BF and I do date nights once in a while. It’s not a regular occasion though. We should definitely do them more!

  • Cindy November 3, 2009, 9:07 pm

    I don’t do any of those things. 🙁 I don’t have a SO and all my girlfriends/friends for the most part are online. I should try to make some friends so I can have that. It sounds like fun!

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) November 3, 2009, 9:10 pm

    My husband and I really need to make a habit of going on “date nights.” At home we are usually sitting on our lap tops next to each other. We definitely need something like this! Great idea.

    I have a ladies night with my friends every Tuesday! I’m on my way over there right now. 🙂

  • Aneta November 3, 2009, 9:11 pm

    YES! me and the bf have date night. its also on thursdays and we watch Survivor, The office and 30 Rock.
    our third date was on a thursday and because of our busy schedules, all our dates happen to fall on thursdays. After a few weeks, his sisters started making fun of him and how its date night. And after a year, every thursday is date night. and if one of us cant make it, we have to let the other one know in advance!
    thursdays are my favourite day of the week!!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat November 3, 2009, 9:17 pm

    I do both! Every Wednesday, my girlfriends and I get together and we do a potluck meal to save us all money, we rotate who has main course, sides, dessert, etc. Then Fridays are reserved for me and my husband, we usually go out to dinner and then watch a movie at home. What matters is that we are together, not that we went to Taco Bell (which we have before, ha ha). I love that you two went bowling, what a good idea!

  • Jenna November 3, 2009, 9:18 pm

    What a fun date night!

    I do both. I think date nights are important. You get stuck in such a routine and don’t always take the time to really enjoy each others company and remember why you love each other so much. As corny as that may sound. So it is important to make special ‘date nights’ to do something fun and experience something new together.

    As for girlfriends. It gets harder and harder was we get older. However, we try to do something at LEAST once per month.

  • Nikky November 3, 2009, 9:22 pm

    The bf and I try to get in at least one day a month of “together time”, but money is super tight so it’s usually a day playing video games together or something. Saturday we’re cooking ourselves breakfast and hitting the “uber mall” for some early holiday shopping.

    My friends and I used to hang out every Friday night back when we all worked together (my friends now are all from that job), but schedules prevent it now so we just make a point of throwing a big board game and booze party every few months.

  • Evan Thomas November 3, 2009, 9:23 pm

    Date nights a great idea! I think that’s so cute. I havent been bowling in ages, though I can’t say it’s my favorite.
    Blogging definitely makes me eat better, and more fun food as well. I’d have never tried certain things if I didn’t see them on other blogs first. And the recipes that you come across are to die for!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is November 3, 2009, 9:24 pm

    I agree with having date night. And how do you pronounce your husbands name? Totally random, but I’ve been wondering if it is different since it has an ‘e’ in the end?

    • Caitlin November 3, 2009, 9:58 pm

      just like christian. his mom just spelled it weird. 🙂

  • Yasmin November 3, 2009, 9:24 pm

    Two days of the week I have to go to the city for work, and since my bf works in the city too, we have date nights on those days, and drive back home together.
    Girlfriends… not so much, usually we see each other in special occasions, or one on one for a lunch or coffee here and there.

  • Matt November 3, 2009, 9:28 pm

    Never had a “date night”. Lol. I guess I need a girlfriend first…

  • Melissa November 3, 2009, 9:29 pm

    I wish Boston bars could feature drink specials. Massachusetts has some really archaic Blue Laws. $1 Blue Moons would be great.

    My boyfriend and I have a special Amazing Race tradition. We watch the Amazing Race on DVR and order sushi. Eating with chopsticks makes it feel like we’re traveling the world along with the contestants!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) November 3, 2009, 9:33 pm

    I definitely have set girls’ nights with friends..otherwise we get too busy during the week. For example, one of my friends and I are diner buddies- we always go to the diner together once a week. 🙂 GREAT pancakes and wraps!

  • Teacherwoman November 3, 2009, 9:33 pm

    I think the idea of date night is great! Every once and a while I try to do ladies night with the girls. I love cooking and it’s an excuse to have a few girls over to my big empty house!

  • Katie Carso November 3, 2009, 9:37 pm

    I love reading your blog! You and your husband make a great couple!! I love date nights : ) is very important to have those : ) I used to live in the Pittsburgh area! I will continue to follow your blog!! Congrats on the Operation Beautiful book!!! I wish you the best, you deserve it!!!

    • Caitlin November 3, 2009, 9:59 pm

      thanks 🙂 go PITT!

  • Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama November 3, 2009, 9:38 pm

    It’s so hard to do date night now that we have a little one. I miss them! BUT when we do they are very special and we take full advantage of it! Actually, we have more date weekends now. My mom takes J for the weekend and we go off somewhere. 🙂
    Your evening rocked! I miss bowling!

  • Nicci@NiftyEats November 3, 2009, 9:38 pm

    I love date nights. The bf and I do lunch dates every Thursday and Fridays are our date nights out! Once a month a girls night too.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite November 3, 2009, 9:41 pm

    Awe… date nights are so much fun!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) November 3, 2009, 9:41 pm

    Hunni and I are trying to figure out when to institute date night. In seminary when we were dating it was always Saturday night. Now we are super busy and think that Sunday night will be better. It’s nice to have a time for us that doesn’t involve work or the computer.

    I don’t have a girls night. My girls all live at least an hour away and we have different schedules. Such is our lives. But we try to make it once a month. In fact I’m going to eat dinner with one this coming week 🙂

  • Lee November 3, 2009, 9:47 pm

    We work opposite hours on most days, so we have a weekly (usually Friday night when we’re both off work) date night. I need to suggest bowling.

  • Sammi November 3, 2009, 9:53 pm

    My boyfriend and I don’t have a particular date night because the night schedule is like so: monday- I have class, tuesday- both of us have class, wednesday- I have work, thursday- he has class, friday saturday and sunday I have work 🙁 I do request off certain special days though such as our three year anniversary which was a few saturday’s ago so we can go out! I LOVE bowling though! we don’t do it nearly often enough. He always beats me too but it’s still fun!

    Blogging has helped my eating a little; however, you won’t be able to tell from my wendy’s lunch today… oops!

  • Jenna November 3, 2009, 9:54 pm

    glad you enjoyed a nice day night with the hubby!
    veggie burger for dinner looks great and i totally agree with you that blogging makes you a healthier eater, it is so true 🙂
    jenna

  • Michelle November 3, 2009, 9:56 pm

    Did you know that $1 Blue Moons at Hems are now $1.50??? Stupid inflation!

    • Caitlin November 3, 2009, 10:00 pm

      DUDE. that is BULLSHIT.

      i found that out the last time i went to visit and i nearly died of sadness. WTF.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) November 3, 2009, 10:00 pm

    My hubby and I don’t have a set date night, but we do go out to eat together or to a movie just the two of us a lot. We have been together for 10 years this year! 5 of them married! I can’t believe how fast time flies hey!!!

  • Anne November 3, 2009, 10:04 pm

    My friends and I met on Thursdays at Hemingway’s – for $2 Long Islands. Dangerous! 🙂

  • Susan November 3, 2009, 10:07 pm

    Hahaha, I love that pic of you dancing at the bowling alley 😛 I don’t live with my boyfriend, so any time we hang out still kinda feels like a date! Both of us love food so our dates always include a nice meal prepared together or eaten out 🙂

  • Melissa S. November 3, 2009, 10:11 pm

    what a great night! i’m glad you had a fun night w/ the “husband”!

  • Leah @ L4L November 3, 2009, 10:28 pm

    We try to have a date night once a month. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesnt.

  • Kristina November 3, 2009, 10:30 pm

    I just finished a distance learning version of my masters (MLIS) through Pitt. I would be in town once a semester, and would usually hit up Hemingway’s at some point 🙂 Sadly no cheap Blue Moons on the weekends…a glass or two of $1 Killians did suffice though.

    My boyfriend and I do try to do a lot together, but usually we don’t have an established “date night”. And either Wednesdays or Fridays is my night with the ladies!

  • Lindsay November 3, 2009, 10:44 pm

    Sounds like a fun night! Bowling is so much fun!

    I love the idea of date night! My husband and I used to have date nights on Fridays but haven’t stuck with it. Maybe I’ll try to bring it back this week.

  • Heather November 3, 2009, 10:54 pm

    Hem’s!!!!!! I go to Pitt!!!

  • Jenny Eastwood@ JennyLikesToRun, On a mission to run a marathon to fundraise for The Breast Cancer Foundation November 3, 2009, 11:23 pm

    Me and my boy do not have a date night 🙁 Although I love the idea and I think I shall convince him to get into the habit! Something inexpensive like a walk during the sunset or something 🙂 Man I’m a sucker for romance.

  • Sagan November 3, 2009, 11:40 pm

    Awww so cute! I agree that date night is super important.

    My best friend and I have “James Bond nights”, because he has the entire collectors edition of every James Bond movie. It’s lots of fun.

  • maria November 3, 2009, 11:59 pm

    The husband and I don’t have a specific date night, really, but we typically spend some time together every night. 🙂 I like it that way.

  • Gina November 4, 2009, 12:09 am

    I LOVE datenight. We usually go to dinner on Fridays, but bowling would be fun…it would be a great idea to start incorporating activities instead of eating out more!

  • Kathleen November 4, 2009, 12:22 am

    Augh, I wish I could have date night but my boy toy and I have been doing long distance for over a year and a half and when we see each other every two weeks we kinda hang out but are usually too tired from running crazy schedules to do much besides watch movies and cook together sometimes. I think date night might need to be reinstated after seeing all the fun you had!

  • Mama Pea November 4, 2009, 1:13 am

    Unless you are at a different bowling alley, I don’t think that $2/game is the best thing about it. Ah how you dismiss the awesome 80s murals so quickly. I see how it is.

    • Caitlin November 4, 2009, 7:36 am

      get this – they redesigned the bowling alley and TOOK DOWN all the silly 80s murals. we were so sad. 🙁

  • Lauren November 4, 2009, 2:16 am

    My boyfriend and I don’t have a set date night, but we try to have a date every week (which can be surprisingly hard to manage with work and school and everything). Even if it just ends up being the two of us sitting in bed catching up on TV shows, it’s nice to take the time to reconnect. Sometimes spontaneity doesn’t cut it–we have to make a conscious effort. But we never regret it.

  • sarah (ghost world) November 4, 2009, 3:56 am

    i love date night. my husband and i have such wacko schedules (both residents) that we DO pass like ships in the night sometimes — like right now, i’m in the ER and he’s on call so i won’t see him until thursday pm! so for us date night is super important. it’s usually just as simple as going out for dinner on friday night but it means so much more than that.

    congrats on 6 years 🙂

  • michelle November 4, 2009, 5:15 am

    We do date night! It’s ESSENTIAL! Cute you went bowling- My hubs and I would ditch class in college to go bowl. LOL! Super fun night!

  • Allison November 4, 2009, 6:38 am

    I agree with your husband – date night is a special occasion! Enjoy that beer. 🙂 My husband always talks me into a glass of wine (or two) when we have special nights out.

  • meagan November 4, 2009, 7:03 am

    we have date night–but usually it’s to spend time *in* together. we see our friends a lot in the evenings and have to make a conscience effort to say no. sometimes this involves going out–we have a place we walk to for mexican food and margaritas–but mostly we enjoy our own wine and a tv show on dvd…it’s “bones” and “dexter” now 🙂

  • Stacey November 4, 2009, 7:06 am

    😀 I love bowling with my guy! We are both pretty great bowlers so it’s fun to see who comes out on top. I think date night is a MUST HAVE in a relationship. It’s so easy to get distracted and caught up with daily livings that you forget to spend time together. Jas and I have a date night every Friday, we turn off our cell phones and computers and just live technology free for a night. It’s real nice!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) November 4, 2009, 7:30 am

    The Boy and I don’t have a set date night, but I did recently institute Sunday Dinners – even though 5/7 of our meals are eaten at the dinner table, I wanted one night specifically set aside to sit at the dinner table, chat, and eat, and just get ready for our week together!

  • Kristy November 4, 2009, 7:46 am

    We don’t have set date nights. Whenever we do go out to dinner or just go out we always feel we should invite friends because we hardly ever see them! Hmm.. maybe I should implement date night! 🙂

  • Lauren @ Dragonflies Journey November 4, 2009, 7:51 am

    BF and I try and do “date night” once a week. Sometimes it consists of ordering a pizza and renting a movie on ondemand on the big screen at home. But it still counts because we lock the dogs out of the basement and just spend “us” time together. Date night is so important to keeping a relationship alive and fun.

  • Abby (Abbys Vegan Eats) November 4, 2009, 8:29 am

    I also went to PITT and used to Love Hemingways,as well. I would always go home with like 10 candy necklaces all over my arms (remember the garnish for the girly drinks!?) lol.
    We also used to arrive at like 7:00 when it wasnt busy and leave when the normal people were heading out for the night..lol

    • Caitlin November 4, 2009, 8:43 am

      heheh we would get there at 7 and not leave until they shut down. i had a hways problem.

  • Lizzy November 4, 2009, 8:40 am

    i love designated friends and/or husband date nights! i think its fun and it gives you something fun to look forward to during the week!

  • Mellissa November 4, 2009, 9:07 am

    I love the idea of the designated nights, life always gets in the way! I met girlfriends out on Monday night and we committed to doing that once a month. My husband and I try to have weekends together since he travels Monday through late Thursday nights.

  • Jenny @ nutmegger November 4, 2009, 9:11 am

    My girlfriends and I tried to do “girls night” in ny but it would turn into everyone going out and trying to meet up with guys..so the insitution never really held. Then we tried to do Sunday brunches, but it started getting to expensive. Living in new york can be brutal! Any suggestions for cash conscious singles?

    • Caitlin November 4, 2009, 9:49 am

      hmmm

      walks and picnics in the park
      dog park
      window shopping
      museums – MOMA!

  • Tina November 4, 2009, 9:29 am

    I agree, sometimes I can’t remember what I’ve eaten earlier in the day. I love looking back and seeing what I’ve had weeks or months ago.

  • kilax November 4, 2009, 9:48 am

    I agree that a date night is a great idea! My husband and I love to bowl, we were even on a league for awhile!

    We’ve been trying really hard not to spend money, so we’ve been having our date nights at home, unless we get a really good bowling coupon, or if I get a free movie giftcard from work!

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers November 4, 2009, 9:57 am

    I LOVE date nights! My fiance & I do lots of date nights but we alternate months & each take turns planning an extra-special date that month for the other person. I love it!

  • Linzi November 4, 2009, 9:57 am

    Yay for date night! Those are the best. The bf and I try to do them often. Ours is usually a night where we get to chef it up in the kitchen and make dinner together.

    Oh and for girls night, my friends and I meet once a month to do a bunco night. We all bring appetizers and drinks and play. It is sooooooo fun!

  • laura dishes November 4, 2009, 10:34 am

    Not only does Hems not have $1 blue moons anymore, but Mad Mex margaritas are now $7.50 during happy hour! This was the first PITT homecoming that we were feeling kind of old… we kept joking that “This is it… Michael Jackson.” 🙂

    • Caitlin November 4, 2009, 10:36 am

      BULLSHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT.

      **cries little tequila tears**

  • Denise November 4, 2009, 11:35 am

    Me and my hubby used to do date night all of the time. Unfortunately, with the economy, we have gotten away from it. I have been feeling that in our marriage, so I just bit the bullet and booked a “romantical” get away. We are taking advantage of a cousin getting married on a river boat and I book a hotel for that night right at the pier. I think our marriage deserves to be a priority in our finacial life. Even though we don’t have to go all out like this all the time, it has been so long, AND we have a teenager in the house, we need this night away from it all! I can’t wait to “reconnect”! 😉

    • caitlin November 4, 2009, 11:35 am

      weekend getaways are sooooooooooo important.

  • Shelly November 4, 2009, 12:39 pm

    My fiance and I don’t have a designated date night but we often go out together with our friends b/c we are both friends with the same group (if that makes sense). Date type nights do happen and I treasure them though. Recently we got drinks and appetizers then saw a play together which I thought was the most perfect date, we like to walk in the park when the weather is nice, and I also consider the nights that we grill out for dinner a “date night” activity b/c it’s so relaxing and fun.
    Recently I am dying for a date night b/c I was out of town from last Tues. to Thurs., he was out of town from Thurs. to Sun. (at midnight!) and we have a house guest until tomorrow morning. We’ve been having tons of fun with our house guest and other friends who were in town, but I am dying for some couple quality time. Fortunately, we are having an anniversary dinner together on Friday. I can’t wait!

  • Megan November 4, 2009, 1:06 pm

    *sigh*
    After reading this post I promptly went to Arby’s for some curly fries. 🙂 (I had to surrender to my baby-in-belly craving!)

  • Kristy November 4, 2009, 1:07 pm

    We do date night most Tuesday nights. It is also our way to keep our relationship on a strong path. I agree every couple needs time for each other! 🙂 Good for you!

  • Megan November 4, 2009, 1:09 pm

    Oh, and we get a date about once every two months. That’s what happens when kids come along. 🙂 We actually went on a lunch date a few weeks ago and that was nice- we just went while our son was still at pre-school, so we didn’t have to get a babysitter or take time away from family time.

  • Julia November 4, 2009, 5:51 pm

    My boyfriend and I do try to have date night once a week, in the middle of the week, to have something to look forward to, and make the work week more bearable! we’re always broke, so our date nights are simple and cheap, but I always look forward to them! 🙂 ie: make dinner together, go to the hot tub, Redbox DVDs, etc

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