Being cooped up at home with your significant other for the past 14+ months may not have been too conducive to romance, spontaneity, and surprise.
After all, even if you could make a reservation somewhere for an intimate dinner for two, who felt comfortable bringing in babysitters? "Love in the time of Covid" may have required more creativity than our languishing mindsets could muster. Thus, I think we may have given each other a pass.
However, as things are opening up again, the moratorium on romantic gestures is coming to an end, and I assure you the clock is beginning to tick.
Luckily, I have a surefire recommendation for you. Men, particularly, listen up, as this will score you major points.
Fever Chicago has been hosting classical music concerts, illuminated by candlelight and performed by live musicians in magical venues around the city. Fever was doing this prior to the pandemic, but it became even more special as it was a rare source of live music this past year.
My husband and I saw the Metropolis String Quartet perform the works of Vivaldi and classic movie hits, at Salvage One's Hidden Courtyard last summer. I remain in awe of the musicians that somehow make a quartet sound like an entire orchestra. I continue to muse the genius behind the invention of the instruments. I am inspired by the composers' imagination and their ability to speak the individual language of so many instruments to create musical masterpieces. You just don't achieve that appreciation from a recording.
Most shows are only about 1 hour long, with ticket prices of about $55/person, but in terms of a date night, these shows hit all the right notes. Make it a surprise!
Alternatively, take your kid on a date. Wanting to do something special with my daughter, I brought her to the Magical Movie Soundtracks at Stan Mansion. Most of the pieces were from Disney films. She loved it! And Stan Mansion - what a venue! I know this was a night we will both treasure.
Magical Movie Soundtracks is playing through July. Ages 8+ are permitted. For other shows, refer to Fever's website for dates, times, and age restrictions as they vary.
If you wind up at Stan Mansion, might I also recommend dinner at Park & Field. Their burger is really good!