Much has been said about President Barack Obama’s date nights with his wife, first lady Michelle Obama: how they show Americans that it’s important to make one’s relationship a priority, how they model taking time for each other in times of stress and packed schedules.

I know a number of parejas who have seen the pictures and read the accounts of these citas and felt inspired.  ”If they can do it, so can we.”

Me, not so much.  Though I do agree it’s a nice example of togetherness from the first couple, I can’t read about their taking a jet to another city, dining in an expensive restaurant, seeing a show, flying home, and see myself and my marriage en eso.

But the other day, while I was sitting in traffic, I saw something that was, for me, much more stirring and inspiring.

Near a block of run-down, former steel mill housing that sits between the highway and the river, I saw a card table set up with a tablecloth, and a vase of wildflowers.  Two chairs.  A tiki torch at each corner of the small plot of dirt.  The table was set up in such a place that anyone sitting there would have a lovely, and unusual view of the river and the bridge…restaurant quality, even if outdoors, in a poor part of town.  I imagined the pareja that might sit there, genuinely tired, and stressed, and overworked, but holding hands across that card table.

Eso, sí me inspiró to go home, look at my husband, and feel that bolstering sense of “Sí, se puede”- no sitter, no reservations, no budget-stretching necessary.  We spent a lovely evening sitting on our front porch, holding hands and talking, and looking at the gorgeous nubes wisping into the sun set.  Not hard, but we needed that little nudge, that reminder.

Tonight, challenge yourself to reconnect with your pareja. Aún mejor, to find or create a free moment of romance!

* photo by donde se esconde el sol