Date Night

Diamondbacks Game

We all get so busy in life that sometimes we neglect pieces of our marriage, such as date night. Think about it... what did you do with your spouse or fiancee, before you married them or said "yes!"? Perhaps when they were your boyfriend (I'm assuming I'm talking mostly to ladies here... if not, apply the appropriate word as necessary). Did you do dinner and a movie? Go to an amusement park? How about fishing, a day at the lake, or bowling? Did you get those butterflies when he picked you up for a date or held your hand for the first time? Did you call your friends the minute he kissed you for the first time? Did you write your first name with his last name over and over until the day you actual got to sign it on your marriage license?

Now ask yourself... when was the last time you went on a real date with your spouse? Not to the grocery store or to run errands. But a real, dress up a little- nice restaurant-great conversation-hand holding-kissing- come home oh-so-happy date night? It's SO important to take time for each other in this busy life we all lead. To remember the reasons you fell in love with your spouse, why they still make your world go round.

My husband and I try out best to have some sort of date night every other week. We've gone to drive-in movies, trying to restaurants together, an evening hike together, playing tennis against each other, fishing, sporting events. Although some date are all day or may be more casual than others, we make time for each other. We hold hands. We LAUGH. We kiss and tell each other we love each other. Want to feel intimate and close with your spouse? Talk about your future together! About when you want to have children and names you like. Or if you already have children, talk about what life was like before children, or your hopes and dreams for them. Discuss adventures you want to take together, how you want to grow with each other. Yes it's a little mushy mushy, lovey dovey, BUT it reconnects you to the heart of the person you love. When you can open your hearts to each other about each other and about being one together, it's refreshing!

So here's some examples of great date night ideas! Take advantage of some of these dates or other innovative ones and TELL ME ABOUT THEM! Email me or comment back on this post and let me know YOUR IDEA of a great date night and other fun ideas you have!

Go fishing!

For my friends in Indiana, this is much easier than in Arizona! Know someone with a pond or who lives near a river or lake? Get some fishing poles, bait, and tackle, and have your husband teach you a thing or two!

Take a cooking class, art class, or learn how to play a musical instrument together!

Many community centers or local colleges have classes like this, especially throughout the summer. Learning something new brings you closer together, allows you to help each other, and brings a little bit of a new positive challenge into your life! Just remember to stay encouraging to your spouse as you learn these new things!

Drive-in Movie

Not many Drive-In movies exist anymore, but I know of one in Plymouth, IN for my Hoosier fam and friends (hopefully still open!) and one in Glendale, AZ for my hot weather friends in my new state. This is CHEAPER than the regular movies, and more fun! You get to relax together in your own vehicle, and heck, start making out with out anyone throwing popcorn at your head. Now... if your my husband, he's not all for much PDA, but I do try my best to get some kisses in here and there! ;)

Healthy Competition - Tennis, Basketball, Golf

My husband and I used to live 2 blocks from high school and we would walk down to their tennis courts in the evenings or on the weekends to involved ourselves in a little friendly competition. If you know my husband, you know how extremely competitive he is. But a little friendly competition never hurt anyone... well except that time we did a 3 legged race and I ended up being dragged on the ground. ANYWAY - find where the open tennis courts, basketball hoops, and golf clubs are and take your spouse ON! Did you ALSO know that sweat, physical activity, and a little competition increase your libido? Hhmm... the things you could wager on a little friendly competition with your spouse... I'll leave those ideas up to you and your man... ;)

Couples Massage

How many times a day does your loving hubby ask you to rub his back, or legs, or neck? Now... how many of us wives get that in return? Yes.. we do sometimes. But how about getting massaged together! Look at online websites like Deal Chicken or Groupon for local discounts on spas. This is a more expensive date night, but the rewards for both of you are worth it!