If the Obamas could do date night in NYC, so can we

Our family just got back from a family vacation to the Jersey shore. Before anyone mocks us for vacationing in NJ, I mean, let's face it, it's not exactly Maui or even Hilton Head, but it's home. My husband's family has been going to the Jersey shore every year since he's been born, so, yeah, kind of a tradition. Plus, they haven't found any syringes there in years. Or at least not any that's been leaked to the media.My parents also live in NJ so we planned to stay there a couple of days before coming back to DC.

Somehow, the Husband got the idea that maybe with the kids with my parents, the two of us could escape to New York City and have a night on the town. We could even stay there a night. (Ooooh. Scandalous.) My initial reaction was NO WAY. Leave the kids and be so far away (an hour)? Maybe we could do a closer escape. Like in their (broke) town in the middle of suburbia. Stay in the local Holiday Inn. Admittedly, this just sounded dirty. But NYC? I was scared. Scared of having a good time alone.

But, the Husband made reference to the legendary NYC Obama date night. Hey, if they could do it with their busy lives, so could we. Sure, we wouldn't be flying up on Air Force One, rather, slumming it on NJ Transit, but we could be a couple again. Have dinner somewhere great. Not feel rushed to get back to family insanity. (this sounded very good.)

So, yes, I said. Let's do it.

I got a sweet hotel room via Priceline bidding for a steal. Made reservations at a trendy, new restaurant a friend recommended. Made plans to meet with friends.

It was a little over 24 hours of awesomeness.

We walked the streets of NYC (only slightly like tourists as we got our bearings). Had cocktails and dinner at an amazing Tribeca restaurant with a couple we adore. Slept in. Had seriously authentic NY bagels. Went shopping. The Husband did his morning run in Central Park (I counted the miles we walked in my wedge platforms as my exercise).

All entirely leisurely, enjoying our coupleness. It was us before kids. (Only, we did talk about the kids...and took a stroll through a playground...and look wistfully at an ad for The Little Mermaid, the Broadway show...but at least we talked about other things too!)

And, you know what? The kids were just fine. They had a blast with their grandparents.

It was all so wonderful and not at all traumatic like I imagined it might be, that we're already plotting a return trip. Er, trips.

So, thank you, the Obamas, you've motivated us to keep the romance alive.

Original DC Metro Moms Blog post.