Have You Had A Date Lately?
Posted: Friday, July 17, 2009
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
Maybe it was the relentless rain or the endless announcements of bad news and despair from the television that caused Jim and I to have the same thought at exactly the same time: We hadn't been on a date lately; that is, not a real date. Yes, we had been out to dinner or ran errands or shopped together, but not a real, honest-to-goodness, pay attention to me, date. I excitedly gussied up more than usual and put on my crispy new outfit. I have to look my very best for my date. Jim patiently waited for me and this time, he didn't get in the car and open the garage door while I was putting on my lipstick and grabbing my purse. We leisurely prepared a cool drink; Jim with his Iced Tea and me with my Crystal Light. Then, off we went.
We headed toward Lakeland. (That's where Jim grew up.) As we entered the outskirts of Lakeland, Jim began to point out how all of that area was country when he was a little boy. His Aunt and Uncle had a farm there. Aunt Ducky would fry up chickens that had just been. well, I guess you could say they we're "taken out" via wringing their necks that morning. After dinner, the cousins would play all afternoon.
Then, we went to the Olive Garden for Minestrone Soup, bread and salad, which was delicious. I mentally checked that off my "hidden purpose" list as we exited the restaurant.
After an unsuccessful search for the steering wheel cover, we went by the school Jim graduated from; The Lakeland High School and the Lakeland Dreadnaughts Stadium. Next we saw Lake Morton. Jim said that he used to walk around that whole Lake. This is also where are four daughters would feed the ducks and be afraid of the Swans, as they would aggressively stalk up to them. We noticed that the Swan population had increased quite a bit, as there was now protective wired areas for them. Next was the sprawling two story house with a wrap around porch that Jim grew up in. The front yard used to be always spilling with beautiful multi-colored Azaleas that his mother had nursed.
"Will you be sad to see your old house," I asked? "No, not at all."
The front yard was not spilling with beautiful azaleas. The house was somewhat run down and didn't look the same. However, nothing can take away the memory in our mind of the way the house used to look and the great times we had there.
As we went through Plant City, an "Ice Cream Cones" sign lured us to Parksdale Farms. It was very busy there. The vegetables looked great, but we didn't want to do any of those everyday shopping chores. After all, we were on an official date, so Jim had a Chocolate Milkshake and I had a Strawberry Parfait.
As I blotted up the combination of strawberries and melting ice cream from my new white capris, we headed home. We had renewed our friendship and learned more about each other. Also, had a fun day! The day had been great. But we wanted to go back to "today's reality;" our wonderful life in The Highlands.
Have you had a date lately? It doesn't have to be your spouse. It could be your best friend, your relative or even one of your grandchildren.
After all, "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Marcel Proust, French Writer 1871-1922
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Hi Fran, what a great article. It conjured many memories for me. I lived on Success Ave between Lake Morton and Lake Hollingsworth. I had an office on Lake Morton in the Ruthven Building. I traveled with you to Plant City and Parksdale Farms as you told this story. I'm not a Lakelander but put in some years there, once upon a time. My last date was a movie date with a 12 year old boy. We had a fabulous time! Thanks for the memories and a wonderful read. Be well.
Hi Fran, I loved the article and the idea of a special date...When people get married and get busy with everyday life, it's easy to forget about romance and the importance of spending "special time" together. I like how your special date made you become even closer to your husband and allowed you to renew your friendship. Being friends and keeping the romance going is my idea of a perfect marriage! Take care!Janka
Beautiful story, wonderful that you and your loved one are spending 'just us' time. The world has gone absolutely crazy and this story is a good reminder for all of us to spend time appreciating the ones we love.Thank you for sharing your date with us.
Great article Mom. It brought back nice memories of grandmother's house and our walks around the lake. Glad you and dad are out and about enjoying some quality time together.Keep on writing - It's inspiring.Love you.
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