the ocean.
We actually went to dinner across the street from the ocean, at the Fairview Inn Restaurant at Brant Rock in Marshfield. We had a gift card that was a Christmas present from our favorite six-year-old triplets (and their parents). We've been hanging out with these boys since they were born but, unfortunately, we don't get to see them as often since they left our neighborhood. They are so well behaved and we enjoy every opportunity we get to spend with them. In fact, we had hung out with the boys just the day before.
On Sunday we had an outdoor activity planned for our 10th date. However, even though the calendar said we were one week into spring, the thermometer reminded us that winter keeps a stronger hold on us than even that groundhog predicts. Since it was still so cold out, and rather than spend the day at home, we opted for a dinner date instead.
The restaurant was about a 40 minute ride from our home, but it was well worth the trip. We had cozy seats near the wood burning fireplace, with a spectacular view of the Atlantic from our table, a split of champagne for me, and Merlot for TH... a great place to while away a Sunday afternoon.
For dinner, I ordered two appetizers: the lobster quesadilla and the lump crab cake. while TH had a steak dinner. We pretty much licked our platters clean...the food was fabulous. Unfortunately, we didn't save any room for dessert. After draining our wine glasses and paying the bill, we crossed the street to sit on the sea wall and reminisce.
Nothing bad ever happens when we're near the ocean. We could stare at it all day long, in every season, and all sorts of weather, and still be awed. The novelty never wears off. And we never, ever, bicker when we're looking out to sea...it's like sacred ground. While there may be mountains, forests, and lakes that are every bit as majestic... nothing is as breath-taking as the ocean.
When we were dating we spent many hours at the shore, walking along the beach, riding our bikes, and making plans for our future. For some odd reason, we used to dream about one day living on a house boat. Of course, that was long before children and careers, when we were carefree and thought the future was endless. The reality is that we are not boaters, and have never owned a boat.
But the sea still calls to us after all these years together. We still love to take long walks, ride our bikes or drive road trips along the coast. Together we've driven the Pacific Coast Highway from San Diego to San Francisco, the intercoastal waterway from Florida to Virginia, the Maryland and Jersey Shores, and the entire New England coast from New Haven to Bar Harbor. It just never gets old. And how lucky are we to now be able to share walks with our grandsons along both the Atlantic and Pacific shores?
Unfortunately, as the sun started to go down on Sunday, the cold quickly chased us off the sea wall and back to our car. But we made one more stop on the drive home....for dessert, at Pinkberry's. So while it wasn't one of our more exciting, or original dates, we had a great time together...and that's really all that matters. You can't beat a day of good food, good wine, and good conversation with your best friend. It's what great memories are made of!
And all too soon we were home, where we are fortunate to live just a block from the beach. It makes me sad to think that there are millions of people in this world who have never seen an ocean. I pray I never have to live away from the coast and I count my blessings every day.
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