Sure, I had read all the articles on the importance of date nights as a way of staying connected to your spouse. But, reality always seemed to get in the way: No money, no babysitter, one of us had to work the evening shift, one of the kids had a function … blah, blah, blah.
I also made too big a deal about what date nights should look like. I pictured us getting dressed up, eating at a lovely restaurant, seeing an Oscar-worthy film and staying out long past our bedtimes. With that definition (and three kids and not a lot of money) date nights were not a regular occurrence in our household.
UNTIL, I redefined “date nights”.
They can be short, silly, casual and even done at home.
Here are some easy ideas to get you started:
• Go on a Walmart scavenger hunt. (I once found a piano that made toot sounds, so you have some catching up to do).
• Find a new recipe and cook it together.
• Go thrift shopping and see who can create the most unusual outfit.
• Play classic board games and give out prizes (wine, favorite candy, etc.).
• Visit a shop or restaurant you’ve never been to in your town.
• Buy a puzzle at Goodwill and see how much you can get done in an hour.
• Visit open houses. You’ll get decorating and home improvement ideas.
• Talk about your first date and recreate some part of it.
• Go to one of those pottery painting places and make a mug for each other.
• Watch an odd sporting event on TV and bet on it. Loser has to do the dishes.
• Go through your phone photos and make an online album.
• Make bucket lists and share them with each other.
• Watch the worst movie you can find on Netflix or cable. Make popcorn.
• Write affirmative notes or scripture verses and tuck them in the pages of books at a bookstore.
• Go out in the yard and look at the stars.
• Tell each other stories about your childhood.
• Take turns reading chapters of a classic novel out loud to each other.
• Barbecue steaks after the kids are in bed.
• Take out your wedding album or video and look at/watch it.
• Just sit and visit and check in with each other.
After all, the point is to reconnect with your spouse and there are uncountable ways to do just that.
What would you add to this list?
