A romantic dinner for two is just the cure to a lagging love life.
Home life has been transformed into our all-in-one workspace. It’s the school epicenter, the nurse’s office, your living room is now the therapy couch, and our backyards have become the great outdoors. Life seems to have contracted in on itself. Groceries are delivered to our front porches, and the local bar can deliver your favorite foods in a dash.
So where does this leave romance? How are we supposed to keep the mystery, when everyone’s dirty secrets – not to mention laundry – are all piling higher, dishes in the sink rival the leaning Tower of Pisa, kids are home schooling, work is Zooming, and chaos seems to always be ensuing?
Well, Momma, its time to recapture some sanity, take back some order, and reclaim the romance. It’s time to make time for ourselves and that someone special by planning dinner for two in the most exclusive restaurant – La Casa Tuya, or Your House. The best part is that there are no rules in your restaurant, no last call, no dress code, no portion control. It’s all about you.
Now, I know we all have kids of various ages, so step one is to work around your schedule. Make sure to plan. Every successful restaurant has a plan.
So, if your littles go to bed at 8pm, plan to serve dinner later. If your small humans are older, use that to your advantage. Recruit them to help you tidy up the house, offer them an incentive – $5 for laundry sorting and folding, $3 for dish washer loading, $3 for putting it away – and have them set the table in advance for your romantic dinner.
Get creative! Maybe you have a great outdoor space and can use this area for your romantic dinner. Outdoor spaces will take you away from the four walls that have been holding you captive all these months.
Kiddos will enjoy helping to set this up with you, because they get to do something for you. Given the opportunity, our tiny helpers and even our older, somewhat moodier mid-sized humans appreciate doing something nice for Mom and Dad. I promise they do, deep, deep, deep down in their beautiful little souls – like near their pinkie toes. It’s also good for them – it builds character, so go forth and conquer.
With that said, planning will keep you from get frustrated. You’re throwing a romantic party for yourself and your hubbs or that special someone in your life.
Once you have the date and time frame planned out, think of the menu. A romantic meal at home has so many advantages, such as the absence of noisy people, cramped restaurants, and overpriced meals served by an overworked waitress. We’ve all been there.
Simple recipes are the best, and one of my favorites is Creamy Asparagus and Shrimp Pasta. It’s very simple and can be beautifully plated.
Another delectable dish is Flank Steak with Bourbon Cream Sauce. If you love steak, this is a must try – you will be in love.
Alternatively, Mushroom and Leek Risotto is divine and smells amazing! Just remember, a romantic dinner doesn’t mean an overly complicated meal. Nor does it mean that you have cook! If your Beau is a culinary master, let him take to the kitchen while you set up the romantic entertainment elsewhere.
Just as important as the food is the mood. Get the candles, get the music, prep the romcom… shave. I know, I’m not the only one who has ever gone more than a day or two.
Help yourself relax and unwind with a long bath and your favorite glass of wine. There is no right or wrong way to set up this night for you and your love. Whatever sets the theme for you is all that matters.
We are a bit retro with our Romantic dinners. The hubbs and I watch classic 80’s movies in our backyard – streamed to our mini projector onto the vintage outdoor screen – whilst surrounded by solar-powered flameless tiki torches begrudgingly set up by our adorable pre-teens, because well, they owe me after I gave them life and all.
Once the mood is set, food cooked, theme in place, and kiddos off to bed, the night is yours. Enjoy your time, cell phones off and social media tucked away. Disconnect to reconnect with your love. You’ll be stronger together because of this, and as a mom, you’ll feel rejuvenated.