I used to love Fridays. It meant Friday night was here. That meant going out. Dates. Lots of dates. Spending time with friends. Movies. Oh, yes, Friday was for movies. And martinis. Movies and martinis. It was a glorious evening that started a weekend of sleeping in until 10 a.m. (or later sometimes!), naps and just being lazy. Weekends were for reading, going to the beach, sleeping and going out. Did I mention movies and martinis?

Now, Fridays mean crash day; the night the weekend is here. But I’m too tired to do much. If we do decide to go out it means shelling out at least $50 extra dollars for a sitter. What happened to TGIF?

However nostalgic I am for my traditional happy hour Friday’s, don’t mistake that for lack of love for being a mom. It’s just different. Now I just have to get creative with how I’m going to get out for some fun. Maybe it’s a martini in the backyard after work and a DVD that I’ve been dying to see. Yeah, that sounds good.

Parlez-vous français? Oui, ce soir.

We sipped Kir Royals while ordering our escargot appetizer. Waiters spoke in French as we waited for our our entrees and peered out the restaurant’s window at the Eiffel Tower, its white lights twinkling as the sun went down. This was last Saturday night, in Paris … kind of.

Before the evening was over we were safely back home checking in on our son, sleeping quietly in his bed. While we didn’t technically fly to France, we got to experience the finer things that Paris offers by visiting EPCOT — a replica of the Eiffel Tower is there, along with sidewalk cafes brimming with coffee and sweet pastries. All of the emloyees that work there speak French. It’s as true an experience as you can have without hopping on a plane to Europe.

It was a brilliant idea: Date night became being a tourist in our own backyard. A 30-minute car ride swept us away for one evening, but what seemed like longer. It’s amazing what a great date can do.

You don’t have to live in Central Florida or have Disney World in your backyard to have an exotic or fun-filled date. Every city has its own favorite spots. Just ask yourself: “What’s in my backyard?” Then make a date to go explore it. You’ll be glad you did.

Since having my son nearly two years ago, my dates have dwindled. My husband is good about trying to establish dates, but it gets hard with busy schedules — and it’s so expensive now that we have to add a babysitter to the evening’s tab. I think we’re pretty good about getting out, but it gets hard. I know some parents who rarely, if ever, get out for a night alone. This can’t be good for a marriage, but it’s certainly understandable.

The other day, while watching “The View,” Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck mentioned that she and her husband have “You Tube Dates.” The other Co-hosts had to ask what she meant; I immediately thought, what a great idea. They schedule an hour to grab some snacks and sit in front of the computer watching the latest videos from You Tube users. I wouldn’t say it’s my idea of the perfect date, but it’s time they are spending together and it’s something different. We might have to try it.