A perfect evening?

What's your definition of a perfect evening? We came awfully close tonight even with two of the kids missing (Stephen was at work and Adam won't be home from school until Thanksgiving).

We had no plans and I was just sitting here reading as it grew dark and then Sarah called from Oxnard. The bowling tournament they'd attended was finally over and Jon was really hungry. We discussed things and then decided that they'd eat down there and bring something back for me; Jon wasn't too hot on the idea but I didn't want to delay them by thirty minutes.

A few moments later, I got a call and was told that the wait at Olive Garden was more than thirty minutes... would I like to join them? I hate driving on the weekends, but what the heck, off I went. I got there a few minutes after six and we were seated just a few minutes later.

I don't know how or why, but every single part of the evening just worked; from letting Jon order a special drink, our positive mood, the great conversation, our wonderful service and on it went. Even coming home and deciding to watch The Empire Strikes Back was a good idea.

I wish I could bottle this and pull it out from time to time.