I finally got my COVID vaccination today, the first one. 

I was pretty worried that I wasn’t going to get one until months after I’d become eligible, the same as everyone else in California. I thought I would have a tough time finding an appointment for me and my husband but I was able to book something for both of us at around the same time, with just a 15-minute difference. Found a place only 16 miles from home and on a Saturday night.

As soon as I told my husband when our appointments were, he immediately lit up, “Let’s go out to dinner that night!” 

And we did.

This was our first dinner out in I don’t know how many years. Seriously. Even before COVID hit, we barely took the time to go out, just me and him. We usually took the kids with us if we ate out, and we went for lunch, not dinner.

Tonight was fun. It was perfect. We chose one of our favorite restaurants which happened to be next door to the pharmacy giving us the shots. It wasn’t warm, but we still chose to sit outside. No indoor seating for us, just yet. Good thing they had outdoor patio heaters and it was still light out.

The one funny thing we loved was the fact that we didn’t have to speak to a wait-staff to order our food. We just had to scan the QR code taped to our table and order from our phone. Nice! 

It was wonderful to not have to rush and decide what we wanted to eat before someone came over to ask if we were ready. My husband and I took our time reading and realized we could peruse the menu for as long as we wanted since no one was going to come and barge in the middle of our conversation and ask for our orders with extra great cheer (uggh). We’d really rather not be bothered. We’re curmudgeons deep down inside.

The few times anyone came over was to bring us our food, and to take our empty plates away. Oh yes, and also to give me a take-home box. But otherwise, not much communication and minimal interruption. No one even said goodbye to us when we left since we’d already paid by phone. We had a nice, quiet exit.

It was a great dinner. I ordered a margarita with it, all excited about our night out. But I couldn’t finish it! It was too damn good and I wanted to be sober when I got my COVID vaccination. What if I’m not supposed to be drinking and they kicked me out??? 

Nothing of the sort happened. The vaccination went smoothly. There was a line, about 3-4 people ahead of us, but it moved rather quickly. The next thing I know, it was my turn. And it hit me, just right there, “I’m getting my COVID shot! This is huge!” And before I knew it, it was over. Didn’t even feel a pinch. It was more like a nudge against my arm. 

All this waiting, anticipating, worrying, and hoping, to end up finally fulfilled in the very back of a Rite-Aid pharmacy, seated at a makeshift clinic — a small, square, plastic table pushed against a wall — facing outdoor furniture and stacked plastic pots in the gardening aisle.

Sometimes, great events happen in small spaces.