Together, Alone

We went to a movie in the middle of the afternoon that wasn’t animated. It even contained “adult” language and themes.

We ate dinner Downtown at a restaurant that serves nothing our boys like to eat.

We strolled hand-in-hand along the sidewalk window shopping. No stroller slowed us down. No sippy cups or bags holding changes of clothing weighed us down.

For dessert we savored cupcakes from a quaint cafe. We people-watched, relaxing and enjoying the quiet. When the cupcakes were gone there weren’t any sticky faces or hands to wipe clean.

We talked. About important things. About funny things. About sweet things. We didn’t edit our sentences or speak in private code to conceal the true meaning of our words from small ears. We spoke without interruption, our conversation halted only by laughter.

We stayed up as late as we wanted. We slept as late as we wanted. We turned the TV up as loud as we wanted. We watched what we wanted.

We didn’t argue with anyone over brushing their teeth, going to sleep or getting dressed.

We though only of ourselves and each other.

This is how we started out when we married almost 15 years ago.

Then responsibilities and children came along.

Yes, we are closer. Fiery, moody, complicated New Love is replaced with the deep, simple, sweet love that comes with the intimacy of years.

Yes, we matured and changed for the better.

Yes, we love our children.

But before there was all that other stuff there was Just the Two of Us.

And I really like Just the Two of Us.