a perfect date

"You look fabulous. You look like a doll. I have such a beautiful wife."

That's what Jake said when he saw me all dolled up for our date last night. He didn't look too shabby himself, wearing the gray dress pants that make his butt look especially cute. My husband has a cute butt, I can't deny it. For my birthday, Jake gave me tickets to see The Nutcracker performed by The Boston Ballet at the Boston Opera House, on our one year engage-iversary. Holiday spirit, ballet and an occasion? All makings for quite an evening.

We started the evening at Gaslight Brasserie. Since we spent our honeymoon in a French colonized country, French food immediately spells romantic, reminding us of such a special time together. Gaslight did not fail us either- from the escargot to the maple bread pudding, it was all absolutely mouth-watering. Our server even gave us complimentary champagne- I love champagne!- in honor of our engage-iversary. Gaslight also has free parking and our server called us a taxi so we could keep our car there all evening. There's something about taxi rides that make me feel special. I always walk or take a subway, so a taxi ride feels like such a splurge. Am I alone on this?

At the Boston Opera House, everything was decked out for Christmas. There was even a pianist in the grand lobby, and the bartenders often chimed in to sing along with the carols played. Jake bought me a cd of the Boston Ballet Orchestra and another glass of champagne. I received compliments galore on my beautiful vintage dress- bought with a gift from the cast of Christmas Carol. One woman said she loved it, and then minutes later exclaimed "that is my FAVORITE dress!"

And as if that all isn't enough- a handsome, cute-butted husband, French food, a taxi ride, dress compliments- then there was BALLET. I swoon. I love ballet. The Nutcracker is so magical and childlike- falling snow, a giant dancing teddy bear, little dancing sheep, flying in a hot air balloon. Then there are moments of sheer awe at the beauty and control of certain dancers. Jake loved how so many of them just seem to fly across the floor, and through the air. Gorgeous.

All that, and we were home by 10:30. It was a perfect date.