Valentine's Day Weekend Report

It's not often we have an evening-out in Coshocton, but Saturday being Valentine's Day and all, we decided to make it a Big Date Night, to really do it up right, and pull out all the stops. When we really want a special time together we usually go out for dinner at a local eatery and then hit one of the hot-spots in town. We hold hands, look into each others' eyes, and remember what it was like to date each other. Now, living in a small town in rural Ohio, may put a bit of a different spin on the specifics, but the intent and the result are the same.

So when it came time to head out, we put on our jackets, gloves, hats, walked into winter and drove the three minutes to our first stop on our Big Date Night. When we arrived, the parking lot was nearly empty and the restaurant was empty too. When we walked in the lobby to be seated the dining area was dimly lit. It was a wonderful chance for a quiet meal together...if the restaurant was even open. Someone yelled from the kitchen, "We'll be there in minute."

Karen and I looked at each other, pleased that service would soon be provided with the usual personal touch enjoyed so often in our small town. When our hostess came to the front I asked about the dim lighting and the vacuum cleaner in the dining area. "Are you guys even open?"
And she replied, "Yes, but we were hoping to close early because it's so slow."
"And then we came in?"
"Yep, and then you came in."
"Would it be all right if we ordered?"
"Sure, go ahead."
And we did order and we even received an extra sandwich at no cost because it was so slow. We greatly appreciate the staff at Arby's as they were very pleasant and helpful and worked hard to make our evening enjoyable. Our food was great and the restaurant was clean. I love the Horsey Sauce and the Curley Fries.

Once at our private booth, Karen and I laughed, we talked, we looked into each other's eyes and held hands as we praised the Lord for His grace in bringing us together as husband and wife. I had proposed to Karen on Valentine's Day seven years ago and we thought back to how young we were back then.

As we finished our meal and picked up a doggie bag for the extra sandwhich and condiment packs we thanked the kitchen and counter staff for their personal attention and departed on the next leg of our Big Date Night. Where did we eat? Why, at one of the many fine dining establishments along restaurant row on Second Street...Arby's (which is right next to Hardees and Wendy's which is next to KFC!).
From Arby's it was off to one of our favorite local hot spots. A place where we can walk, and talk, and see what's new in the area. To get a real feel for the local life style and become even more enculturated as missionaries. It's a special place where we can relax and yet keep our fingers on the pulse of Coshocton, a place to see and to be seen, and maybe even find a special treasure to commemorate our evening out. It was Saturday night, it was Valentine's and we were off to Big!Lots.

I know, I know, we could have gone to Super Wal-Mart but Super-Walmart just doesn't have the hometown, home-grown Coshocton ambience that Big!Lots does.

After an hour exploring Big!Lots, we were ready to call it a night. We'd found canned salmon on sale, located some Magic Shell for half price and were pleased and tired. It was a wonderful evening, a special time together, and we looked forward to making the five minute drive home to relax on the couch and watch "Keeping Up Appearances" on cable.

Thanks for enjoying this little slice of life with us from Coshocton, Ohio. We'll keep them coming over this week of vacation and beyond. I did get our taxes figured and ready to file Saturday before we went out. Thanks for praying. The longer we live here, the more we become like here and that's all part of God's perfect plan!