The Night I Knew...

Although, Maxine is right... I am going to tell you all a love story!

The night I knew I was going to marry my Hubby was the night of our second date.

Betty reminded me of this in a recent entry about her hubby and she going to a restaurant they frequented 26 years ago, when dating.

Hubby and I had gone out first on Wedesday, 5/30/90, for a lovely movie and then some drinks afterward.  Nice date, and I was looking forward to the next.  He kissed me on the cheek and asked me out for Saturday night, I said yes.

I bought a new outfit.  A melon colored knit skirt with a matching short sleeved sweater top.  I wore low soft brown pumps with bare legs.   (He is six three, and I am five five, the heel height was for comfort.)  I looked good.

Hubby wore a hawaiian shirt and nice jeans.  It was a beautiful warm, breezy June 2nd night.

We went to a seafood and steak place called Eric's.  I had the broiled lobster tail and he had a giant steak.  I fed him his first taste of lobster off my fork, and he has been eating it since!

The talk was nice and flirty, he was very sweet and complimentary.  I suggested going mini golfing next, he said, 'You look to gorgeous to waste on mini-golf!'.  I remember smiling from head to toe.  We decided to go to for after dinner drinks at a restaurant he knew that was on NJ side of the Hudson River; we could sit outside and admire one of the most expensive views in the world, the Manhattan Skyline.

As we exited Eric's, I stumbled on the last step and Hubby caught me in his arms, I looked up to thank him and he kissed me.  Our first 'real' kiss, it was soft at first, then a little more intense.  Made my knees go weak!  I will never forget it! 

We couldn't get a table outside at Shanghai Red's but a waitress did bring him and I drinks.  The music was nice, the view incredible, the weather perfect, and it was very romantic.  We slow danced to a couple of songs, and we kissed some more while we talked. 

The sun set and the stars began to twinkle over Manhattan, I said to Hubby, 'Let's make a wish!' as he stood behind me, holding me.  He said, 'No need, I already have what I want in my arms.'  Yes, enough to make a girl melt.  And, I did!

After a while we went to another club called Boomers that played 50's and 60's music.  We laughed, talked and kissed some more and about 2 am, I thought we were headed out to take me home.

Hubby turned to me in the car and said, 'I can't let this incredible night end yet; I know a place to get a great cappuccino.'

And, he did.  Cafe Roma was wonderful.  A perfect little romantic cafe in a local 'Little Italy' type area.  It was open all night long, and rumored to have a back room card game.  All I know is that the capuccino and the amazing pastries they had were served by the sweetest husband and wife, and they clucked over us that night and many more, going on and on about 'amore'!

Finally, near 4 am, Hubby brought me home.  He walked me to the door and gave me a wonderful sweet kiss.  We had made plans to spend the day at the zoo, and he was picking me up in 8 hours at noon.  He told me, they would be the longest 8 hours of the day for him.

I came in on cloud nine from my date.  My mom got up and asked me how it went.

I told her, 'Perfect.  I am going to marry him.'

And, 17 and 1/2 months later, 11/9/91, I did!

There is more I wanted to add.  The restaurant Eric's is now called the Elmwood Barn, and we do still go there.  I still trip on the last step, it is off from the others.

Although, Hubby and I were engaged at Shanghai Red's five months later (10/26/90) and even celebrated our first wedding anniversary there, the restaurant burned down.  There is a new restaurant there, and it too, overlooks Manhattan, but it is nothing like the place of our memories.

be well,
Dawn