Movie Dates

While living at home this past winter, it was a regular event for my parents and I to go to the movies. There is more to do in good 'ole Columbus than go to the movies, but really, I don't think hanging out in bars and bowling would add anything of great significance to my repertoire. I have to uphold my reputation, you know. We have an exact way of planning our movie dates and my dad doesn't take well to change. He has told us that at his age (chuckle chuckle, he's 56 trapped in a 35 year old body) he has the ability to be stubborn and hard-headed. Sometimes I have to remind him that he has always been this way, it hasn't just started because he's getting older. Ilovemydad. Ok, so here's the rundown: We scope out the movie selection in the Columbus Telegram because even though my mom has the capability to flip on her iTouch and see what movies are playing in like 2 secs flat, Dad likes to stick to what he knows and dig through the trash in order to find the page of the paper that lists the movie times. Calling is second choice, but it's all recorded and a little annoying to sit there and listen to blah blah blah blah. Once we decide on which movie we are actually going to see, which includes a whole different planning process, we find out the movie time and plan accordingly. What do we need? 1. Blankets. Yes, blankets. My dad has a new habit of bringing his "Indian Blanket" to the movie theater. In reference to its name: my Aunt Mary made my dad this fleece blanket that has a pattern with a Native American (for the PCers out there) vibe on it. So, he calls it his Indian Blanket, duh. 2. CONCESSIONS. Let me preface this by saying that when my brother and I were little we never got snacks at the movie theater. Mom and Dad always told us they were too expensive and we didn't need the candy. You know what, I really just love Sour Patch Kids so I would really just appreciate if you would buy me a box! But no, our pleas gave way to no avail and we were stuck without snacks. Now, we can't even get out of the house before Randy exclaims, "Yes! I am getting concessions! We need to get there early so I can wait through the line and not miss the beginning of the movie." He loves him some concessions. A large popcorn and a large diet soda. He does always share, gearing up with 2 straws, a small bucket to transfer popcorn and plenty of napkins.

One of our most recent visits to the Centre 6 Theaters included me watching my dad as he walked into a dark theater (after waiting in line for his concessions) looking for me. I told him I would sit toward the back/center in the aisle seat. I did as I told him and mind you, it wasn't a full theater at all, he could not find me. I see him walk in slurping on his pop and holding his golden buttery goodness and run right into the back of some seats. he wobbles for a second but regains his balance and heads straight down the left side aisle. I gently yell out, "Dad!" "Randy!" Nothing. I get up out of my seat and go get him. "Oh, Lizabeth! I didn't even see you." I know Dad, that's why I came and got you.

Now that I have moved, I thoroughly miss our movie dates and not just because he always paid. Dad told me he hasn't seen many recently either, so whenever I get home we always try to find time to squeeze in a movie date. Although now that it's summer, I'm lucky if I can get him off of the golf course for 2 hours in a day.