I am all about keeping a commitment, but every now and then I throw in an escape clause:
“I will meet you for lunch unless any of the following circumstances occur: fire, flood, alien takeover, bad hair day, tornado, tsunami, flat tire, pouring rain with sporadic thunder and lightning, recurring wedgie, dehydration, illness, loss of appetite or any other life-changing event (as classified by me) including, but not limited to, the death of a member of the New Kids on the Block.”
It has taken me a long time to learn that it’s OK to be protective of me. Create your own escape clause. Give yourself an out. You deserve it.
Laughing is required. 
Or, if you wear the wrong shoes…
Hey, now. That is not an out. That is a real issue. Walking to lunch when I’m wearing sitting shoes screams raw blisters.