Taken Away

“What time will you be home?” These words started a sequence of events. When I told her, she asked if I could make it a little earlier. I replied I could but why. That’s when my wife informed we really hadn’t seen each other for the past few weeks so we were going on a date. Even after all these years and some of the stuff we have been through, she continues to amaze me.

I got home at the appointed hour and promptly asked where we were going. She said it was surprise. Now, you need to understand I don’t handle these types of situations very well. First, I have no idea where we are going. Secondly, I don’t know why we are ‘really’ going. This is not a good combination for old Ralph.

We left the house and she would only tell me where to turn. As we started up a canyon west of the town, I was getting nervous and grumpier. “Are we going to be out this canyon by dark?” I snapped. She assured me we would.

A few more miles down the road (painful miles for old Ralph – did I happen to mention I had no idea where we were going or why) we were in a mountain community. After a few wrong turns and losing my temper once (yes, it happens) we were at the Black Forest Restaurant. That is where I finally started to relaxed. We dined on some great German rye bread, sauerbraten, potato pancakes with applesauce, and Wiener schnitzel. We finished the meal with the best apple strudel either of us ever had.

So, after my wife took me away, I was taken away by the restaurant, taken away by her thoughtfulness and the efforts she went to in planning such a great evening.