My Husband Whisked This Mom Off To Paris For Dinner

Parlez-vous franÃ§ais? Oui, ce soir.

We sipped Kir Royals while ordering our escargot appetizer. Waiters spoke in French as we waited for our our entrees and peered out the restaurant’s window at the Eiffel Tower, its white lights twinkling as the sun went down. This was last Saturday night, in Paris … kind of.

Before the evening was over we were safely back home checking in on our son, sleeping quietly in his bed. While we didn’t technically fly to France, we got to experience the finer things that Paris offers by visiting EPCOT — a replica of the Eiffel Tower is there, along with sidewalk cafes brimming with coffee and sweet pastries. All of the emloyees that work there speak French. It’s as true an experience as you can have without hopping on a plane to Europe.

It was a brilliant idea: Date night became being a tourist in our own backyard. A 30-minute car ride swept us away for one evening, but what seemed like longer. It’s amazing what a great date can do.

You don’t have to live in Central Florida or have Disney World in your backyard to have an exotic or fun-filled date. Every city has its own favorite spots. Just ask yourself: “What’s in my backyard?” Then make a date to go explore it. You’ll be glad you did.