The last time Max and I went to the boardwalk alone, in 2018.

Now that we have three small kids, romantic dates with my husband Max have become few and far between.

When the stars and our parents’ schedules do align, Max and I fall back on our trusty date-night routine. I’ll pull on dark jeans and a slinky top. Max will wear a short-sleeved button-down and slip on his gold pinkie ring. We’ll kiss the kids goodbye, speed walk to the car, and drive eight minutes to the “fancy” restaurant in a neighboring town. By the time we get back home, we always feel refreshed.

But.

If time weren’t an issue and we had a full day to ourselves? My dream would be to spend the afternoon at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Here’s my vision: It’s the perfect California day — sunny and 75 degrees. I’m walking down the boardwalk with a corndog in one hand and Max’s tattooed hand in the other, feeling the ocean breeze on my neck.

Max and I can go on any ride we want, since we have the patience and bladder capacity to withstand long wait times. We start the day with the Giant Dipper, a 102-year-old roller coaster, and end on the ferris wheel with a make-out session at the top.

In our early dating days, Max and I went to the boardwalk twice a year. Once we had kids, boardwalk dates turned into family adventures, which are also fun. But I’m craving the chance to go back and use our arcade points on games besides the claw machine.

Plus, the boardwalk has all the ingredients that make a truly good date: novelty, lots of flirty touching (sitting on your date’s lap in the photo booth, leaning up against them as you nervously wait in lines), and food that’s made to share (I’m looking at you, funnel cake).

How about you? What does your dream date look like? Please share all the details!

P.S. A genius dating tip and what’s your most awkward dating story?