This week we attempted the “Drive-In Movie for Two” while visiting my parents on
Julie’s 12-Step Program to Having “The Greatest” Date Ever:
Step 1: Rent a movie entitled “The Greatest.”
Choosing just the right movie is always a struggle. After forcing Julie to watch Paranormal Activity and Ironman 2, it was only fair that I let this evening ride on the quality of a romantic _(fill in the blank)_. After a jog around the local Blockbuster, we were left with three options: Precious, Dear John, and The Greatest. Now, I know that Precious doesn’t really fit in with the aforementioned genre, and I’ve wanted to see it for quite some time, but I didn’t feel it had quite the romanticism that this night called for. Dear John is, from what I can tell, whole-heartedly a girly movie. Nothing about it tells me that I should watch it, nor have I ever trusted men named “Channing.” That left us with “The Greatest.” A seemingly unknown movie, it boasts a great cast and a touching premise. Only a fool would turn down a movie with the all-too-lovely Carey Mulligan in it.
Step 2: Make popcorn.
You should be wary though, as snacks can easily turn a “hot” date into a “Tums” date. Supplied with the plethora of junk food my parents kept laying about, we were all too eager to indulge in a fresh bag of Doritos. By the end of the movie I wasn’t feeling so inclined to embrace my love, but brace my stomach.
Step 3: Borrow a hammock.
If you don’t have a hammock of your own or friends who have trees, I suggest a blanket. Though not as “cuddle” prone, it will get the job done.
There is a near limitless range of ways this date can be done. In a car, on a sheet, in a hammock, under a tree, on a roof, in a bath, during a storm, in the attic, at the park, amongst livestock, in a graveyard, on a boat, under a bridge, really, I could go on.
Step 4: Find a flashlight.
Sure you could wing it, but I find that creepy things tend to come out at night; so appropriate lighting is a must (good luck enjoying the date now!).
Step 5: Assemble said hammock.
It isn’t necessary that one person does all the work while the other stand to the side taking pictures and accidentally shining the flash light in hers or his eyes, but really isn’t it just more fun that way?
Step 6: Gather supplies.
Step 7: Take pictures with help from your mother-in-law.
Because memories aren’t made, they’re captured.
Step 8: Kick out your mother-in-law.
Even if she was sure the hammock could fit three.
Step 9: Cuddle up in hammock together.
It was a bit weird figuring out how to situate all of our stuff, but once we got it down, it worked. Normally we’d be next to each other or leaning against one another during movie viewing, but this really wrapped us up into a little love cocoon.
For the snugglingly inept, hammocks are a great way to learn how to lie together. As anyone who has ever sat in a hammock with a parent or an enemy will tell you, the only way to share a hammock is to cuddle, any other situation will leave you wanting to… well, leave.
Step 10: Watch “The Greatest” movie and think it’s “The Pretty Goodest” movie you’ve seen in a while.
Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, Carey Mulligan. Nudity, Sadness and Heart-Warming Gladness, this movie has it all.
I particularly liked the movie, without delving into a movie review I can say that it strikes all the chords of the emotional spectrum and really leaves you appreciating the ones close to you. Without spoiling too much, I will say don’t watch this in a car like the original date idea entails.
Oh, and as Julie mentioned “Carey Mulligan. Nudity,” so there you go.
Step 11: Enjoy the fresh air and cool night breeze under the stars.
It was beautiful and romantic and if it weren’t for the fact that we didn’t have a warm enough blanket and it was 2am, we would have spent longer out there just visiting.
Chilly weather and upset stomachs aside; when the movie was done I was ready to go curl up some more! In a corner somewhere warm. With Julie spooning me and rubbing me with vapo-rub of course.
Step 12: Rate it.
J: Going into it, I thought this date was going to be pretty mundane. Yeah, we like watching movies, so why not do it in a hammock? But just that little twist made it fun and exciting and a little cliché. I recommend this date especially for city dwellers. Special thanks to Zane’s parents for lending us their backyard and hammock for the evening! It felt like a true escape from the busy city atmosphere. I give it a romantic 9.5 out of 10!
Z: With this idea being so versatile it could really go any way when you attempt it. It takes all the comfort and joy of sharing a cozy night in, with the excitement (and possible adventure) of doing something off-the-cuff. Whether you’ve just celebrated your 5+ anniversary or are on a first date, you really cannot go wrong with the classic date idea and this fun new spin! From our experience I would give it a 8 bug bites out of 10. As a flat out idea, I’d say it’s a 10 sure-fire hits out of 10.
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