With perhaps one exception some of our best “going out” memories have involved the perils and misfortunes of others. Beth and I have witnessed many dining disturbances and have been the cause of one - what can I say we were young and in love.
We’ve been in nice restaurants, at least twice, seated next to couples breaking up. For the life of me I can’t figure out why you would break up in a nice restaurant.
Once the table to the left of us was a couple breaking up and the table to the right of us was a lively party of four vigorously insulting religion, churches and ministers.
Our favorite, and first such experience, was the couple obviously on their first date and she rambled on and on and on and on and on and on (get the picture) about buying a polo pony. She explained how she was uniquely qualified for the task because she had read a book about poly ponies. Frankly, I find it hard to believe that she could read.
We‚Äôve watched as some brave soul proposed to the love of his life. We‚Äôve seen large parties order every conceivable thing on the menu and had fun guessing at the total bill. We‚Äôve even been in dining situations and been called upon to perform life-saving medical procedures — maybe my friend Tim will weigh in on that one!
But there was that time when we were the cause of the dining disturbance.
Our dining disturbance revolves around Madison when she was 1 month and 1 day old. Valentine’s day 1994, Beth and I (and Madison) went to our favorite Italian deli for a nice meal. Madison was all dressed up in red which matched perfectly the red face she achieved from screaming the whole time.
Here we were trying to have a nice sweetheart’s supper and Madison was auditioning for American Idol. If I could capture, with words, the glares and stares of the other patrons in the pasta parlor you’d think you were reading some sailors blog by mistake.
Yesterday, during our sweetheart lunch, it seemed as if we would hit the trifecta. One couple appeared to be breaking up – though unfortunately it didn’t work out and it looked like the two stayed together.
One couple came into the restaurant with their two kids and sat down at the table two down from us. Immediately one of the children deposited the contents of breakfast on the table (from her stomach). I tell you these couples who bring their children out to eat on valentine’s day . . .
We ordered another round of iced teas and waited for news of the inevitable kitchen fire!
