Our Unexpected Valentine

For Valentine's Day, Hub searched around and made a reservation for 7:30 at a little Italian place nearby. We got home from work, rushed through some clean-up and headed out with the little man. 

When we got to the restaurant, there was no one at the check in podium and a long line of people waiting. After about 10 minutes, someone came by but still wasn't even addressing us. Hub managed to tell her we had reservations (at 7:40), and she looked frightened. That's pretty much what happened for the next 20 minutes. People would remind her that they had reservations, she would hardly answer their questions, looking frightened while she scribbled things on a pad and stared at the computer screen. I honestly don't think she had any system to what was going on. She finally told us that our table was being cleaned. I asked her to be honest with me about how long it would take to get food since we had a 3 year old with us. She said it would be quick. We sat down a little after 8pm. By 8:10, no one had even greeted us, so we got up and walked out thinking at this point it would be better to grab something on the way home. 

However, as we walked past a little pub type place in the same shopping plaza, a lady walked out and asked if we were looking for somewhere to eat. They had heart lights and balloons and a man was crooning R&B in the corner. We sat down at an outdoor table next to a heater and were treated to so much fun, kindness, and good service that we enjoyed ourselves immensely. The food was also amazing. I had a pressed turkey, brie, apple and mango sauce sandwich that slayed me with deliciousness. Hub had some roast beef with au jus. E bopped to the music, and when he finished, he got down and danced in an open space between tables, basking in the smiles of people nearby. The singer allowed a man to sing a few songs while he took a break. One of them was for his wife who video taped him with big smiles. 

The music was wonderful. The people were gracious. The food was divine. The unexpectedness of it made it perfect. 

Happy Valentine's Day.