Matrimonial Bars

My mom used to make this and my children always liked them, too.

Cook together:
16 oz dates, approximately
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and cool

Mix together like pie dough:
1 1/2 cups oatmeal (regular)
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
Dash of salt

Melt 1 cup of butter and pour over oatmeal mixture and work up lightly. Put half of oatmeal mixture into large pan and pat down solid. Cover with dates and sprinkle remainder oatmeal on top. (You can use less butter, but use enough to make it all stick together). Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.