So last Christmas Vann and I were at Costco and happened upon the complete series (including both movies – good and bad) of “Sex and the City”.  Of course, we had to pick it up.  Now, Courtney (my dear roomie from my first few years in Chicago) and I didn’t have HBO back in the day – so we had to meet at Tavern 33 on Lincoln Ave. to watch the show every Sunday night – back when SJP was at the height of her popularity (although I will always love her) and every single girl in the city drank Cosmopolitans.  I mean, we all had our Mr. Big’s, didn’t we?  Our Aidan’s, our Harry’s, our Steve’s?  I know I did. It never grows old.  Tonight we were watching Season 2 – when Carrie and Big get back together for the second time and he still can’t commit, yada yada yada.  Oh, the sheer reality of it all!  What it really made me wistful for was the City itself.  Getting dressed up, nights out on the town, cabs, 2 am, too much wine and a little bit of boozy kissing – let’s be honest, you know you’ve been THERE – and all.the.butterflies. So why does all of that change after you have babies?  I don’t mean it changes forEVER – like it never happens – because of course we still have date nights – but it’s just not the same, you know.  Where Vann and I are now, we hope and pray we make it till 6 am before a certain 3 year old is crying by the side of the bed complaining that her “covers are all twisted up” or the classic “I can’t find Ducky!”.  Bleary-eyed, one of us (usually Vann) leads her back upstairs to her bed.  It’s easy to romanticize the pre-kiddo days, isn’t it??  Funny how when I was on those dates with Vann all I wanted was for him to utter the words “future” or “we should do that this Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s”, you know, any sign of a commitment.  And now?  Commitment is what we got.  Ironic, no?? Ah, the grass is always greener, isn’t it?  I wonder sometimes if my sweet hubby wishes I put makeup on more than once a week, for church on Sunday.  I wonder if he wishes I kept a cleaner house.  I wonder if he thinks he might like to see me in something other than workout clothes. Oh, honey.  You really are the best.  The most fantastic partner, friend, father, husband.  I love you and hope you know how much your girls adore you. Here’s to more fantastic city-like date nights in our future.