by Francesca Di Meglio

My parents go on dates -- to the grocery store. I know what you're thinking: How can that count as a date? But I must admit that whenever rain arrives and mamma knows that papa will have to come home early from work (he's a landscaper), she gets flushed with excitement. "We're going to go to the market," she says to me as though she is five and it's Christmas Eve. This hardly seems like a romantic night on the town. But for my parents, it is. Sometimes, mamma holds papa's hand in the car just as he's about to rev the engine. They listen to their favorite Italian CDs. And they treat themselves to the best -- filet mignon or Asiago cheese. On these days, they are all smiles (and we all win when dinner is served). Delicious sweet love!

For my parents and most of my relatives, food is an expression of sentiment. You feed the people nearest and dearest to you -- and you feed them well. We all know that eating can be sensual and that some dishes like oysters are considered aphrodisiacs. A good meal has the power to recharge a relationship because eating can be soothing and sexually stimulating all at the same time. Lick your lips -- and his -- and you're sure to have one sweet night.

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