celebrating our first date-iversary during a pandemic

March 25th is our first date-iversary, and this year to celebrate our FIRST first date-iversary, we were going to go to back to Waterzooi and sit in the same booth we sat last year and be all sentimental and sweet. But…well, you know the deal. Cancel all the plans.

Instead, I taught remotely from home. He filed for unemployment. I attended my college class over Zoom. Then, we put on our masks and went for a walk outside.

It’s hard to believe this is the state of the world, right? …and it all happened so fast. It’s sad to think about the last time I was out with people and the last day I saw my students before they closed schools. I wish I knew then it would be the last time for a while. The planet is on pause, and the creepiest part is not knowing when we can resume again.

Through it all, I’m so grateful this guy’s by my side. I’m grateful we’re still healthy. People are sick and suffering and dying, and missing a date night is NOTHING in comparison, I’m well aware. (BTW: this post on loss was great.)

Even still, he ordered take-out mussels from our first date spot. It was the sweetest gesture and counted for so much. He also snapped a picture of the long, too-big-for-us booth when he went to pick up the food. OUR BOOTH.

We never eat at a dining table. It’s always in the living room, so we set up our mussels, wine, and frites in front of the TV, and ate and watched Westworld.

After eating, into the night we went. Us four: Tom, me, and the cats - staying afloat on the couch. That’s what I picture: my little family and I, alone on a boat in the middle of a rocky sea. But we have each other, and so far we have enough provisions.

I think about my life the day of our first date, and how things are now, a year later. A year ago I had access to the world and everything in it without him by my side, and now, I have no access to anyone in the world aside from him and my cats.

I know which of the two scenarios I would choose, and I’d choose it every time. My whole heart is in the picture above. My home. …and right now, we’re being called to stay home. Because of them, I’ll happily oblige. // Stay safe. Be well.