Date Night: My Favorite

Last night Ryan and I went out.  That's a legitimate excuse for a missed post, right?  Sorry about that.  So, we've been hearing our customers rave about this Thai place in town and we finally had a chance to experience it for ourselves.  We love Thai food.  It was very tasty, but Ryan is the most inflexible person on the planet and these tables were...ehem.....not really working for him.  A fun/funny memory.  We could have been eating at McDonald's (most definitely NOT on their floor, though) and it would have been wonderful,  'cause just having some alone time with this guy is my very favorite thing! 

After dinner we headed to an arcade 'cause we love a good 'n healthy dose of competition.  Ryan creamed me at our traditional b-ball tournament.  Usually I can hold my own, but after beating him in air hockey (both times) I guess it was best we each got to experience our moments of glory. 

And of course, everybody knows that a date night isn't complete without picking up a hitchhiker.  No picture.  But I did get a phone number.  Anyway, Ryan has only twice given rides to people when he has had me or the kids in the car (that is a side note for my mom).   He does it on occasion when he is by himself, but he assures me it is only when he is prompted to.  I'm good with that answer.  The Spirit speaks to Ryan because he doesn't think.  ; )  I mean that in the most respectful way.   I really do.  While I'm busy thinking about if we're out too long for the babysitter or if the lady has a gun, he's only worried about the "what if" he doesn't listen and obey.  I love that about Ryan, even if it means my car still smells, well....... a little different.

It ended up being a pretty special experience, actually.  It always is when you listen.  The girl we picked up last night is the same age as me.  We asked a bit about her story.  She is an alcoholic.  Earlier that day she had just been locked up for being drunk in public.  She said she had completely lost control of her life and she saw so little hope for getting over her addiction.  The conversation turned so naturally to the church.  Turns out she had been baptized when she was younger.  She grew up with some of the families we know in the area.  When we arrived at her house and said our goodbyes, we could feel that she had been humbled a bit.  We all had.  There.  IS.  hope.