A rocking Guest Post by Meetch Martinez
It was pitch black, as I steered the car so it would hug the curves of the winding canyon road.
My headlights failed to brighten the darkness that swallowed us whole.
And with only brief moments of light, as the oncoming cars raced passed us, I could feel my heightened sense of awareness boiling over.
As an impatient truck driver rode us close from behind, I was forced to ask myself, “What are we doing?”
At that moment, I reminded myself that my wife and I were celebrating our ten-year anniversary.
We had a special date planned, but it turned out to be our lack of planning that made the evening unforgettable – the secret ingredient being … suspense.
Surviving the Topanga Canyon Death Ride
A year ago, a friend of ours recommended a restaurant in Topanga Canyon called the Inn of the Seventh Ray.
It’s far enough from the hustle and bustle of city life and well known for being one of the most romantic restaurants in the Southern California area.
Ever since then, it was on our Date Radar.
We had earmarked this restaurant and were determined to experience the romantic setting it provided.
The reservation was set for seven thirty and everything was ready to go.
What our friend didn’t tell us about was the crazy winding roads that you have to drive around, just to get there.
This, we did not expect.
That and the fact that it was already dark when we were heading up, added an element of suspense that enlivened our evening.
It made us feel like we were part of the plot of a new suspense thriller movie.
By the time that we arrived at the restaurant, we were reinvigorated and happy to have survived the Topanga Canyon Death Ride.
Beverly Hills Detour worth every overpriced penny
The recommended restaurant was everything it was touted to be.
After a wonderful meal, great conversation, and reminiscing over the past ten years of our married life, my wife and I decided to hit the road.
Our original plan was to finish the night off in the comfort of our own home.
But my wife, the Barcelonan Beauty, had a genius idea …
“Why don’t we get a hotel?” she says.
At that point, I didn’t care what we did, as long as we were heading back to the city.
Growing up in New York, I tend to get a little uncomfortable when I’m in dark rural areas – and Topanga Canyon at night seems like a perfect setting for one of Stephen King’s next novels.
Nonetheless, I thought the hotel was a great idea.
As my wife looked up the different hotels in our area, I could see the excitement in her eyes, as if she were a child preparing her Christmas list for Santa.
I was excited too.
We ended up staying at a hotel in Beverly Hills that was a little pricey, but well worth it.
Of course, we could have easily gone home that night, but we go home every night.
Where’s the suspense in that?
Next Day Recap: “I had so much fun.”
The next day, as we made our way home, my wife says to me “Thank you for last night. I had so much fun.”
At that point I realized how much fun I had too.
I replied to her, “Last night was fun, wasn’t it?”
Suspense brought a different perspective to our dating life. Something we never really consciously thought of before.
It was a completely unexpected (but welcomed) surprise to us.
Perhaps when life presses forward, as adults, we crave security – at risk of sacrificing the fruit of the unknown.
But for any couple that has been married for a significant amount of time, keeping the spark alive is a priority.
Adding a hint of suspense (uncertainty) to your dates can really enrich each experience.
It can make mundane tasks fun – and awaken your relationship from the monotony of life.
For us that meant something as simple as driving up a dark and winding canyon road and an unexpected stay at a charming hotel.
As my wife and I have just learned, the dates with an added hint of suspense are the dates you will always remember.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your spouse and set up your next Suspenseful Date today.
Meetch Martinez is founder of husband-ology.com and happily married husband who loves dating his wife. Feel free to join Meetch on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+, in his quest to help other married men optimize their role in marriage.
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