When Andrew and I first met like most couples in the early stages of dating we had a date every other night. Movies, dinners, special walks, even a trip to whole foods after one date was memorable. Of course the longer you are with someone the less the actual date nights happen.
We are huge homebodies so our ideal date night was Andrew cooking, Netflix and wine. We got into a bad rut of not actually going outside our home for date nights. We knew this had to change!
One of my favorite bloggers, Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers talked about how her and her husband alternate planning date nights every other month. This year one of our goals in 2015 was to have more date nights. I loved Julie’s idea so much that I mentioned it to Andrew. He loved it as well. So in January Andrew picked and we saw Taken 3 and had Chinese food.
This past Saturday was my turn. I opted for us going to the place we had our second date. It’s a wine bar in our old neighborhood that we love. We actually had our first kiss there too!! We loved getting to sit on the comfy couches, chat, not be on our phones, have wine and some yummy food. It’s also a pretty fun place to people watch. After dinner we went to a frozen yogurt place we love called Sweet Frog. It also had some pretty funny people watching moments.
Sorry this picture is so dark but it’s a dark restaurant! I never plan to stop dating this guy 🙂
Because what logical 30 year old wouldn’t get fruit loops on their yogurt…yes there is yogurt under all those toppings!
My point of this post is that we will never stop dating. I think the longer you are in a relationship be it dating, marriage etc you forget to date. My friend Kate reminded me that you should always be your husbands “girlfriend.” I love that.
Tell me about your date nights?
I couldn’t agree more!
Great advice and so important to remember! I have been married for over 21 years and we make it a priority to go out on a date once a week. It is my favorite day!
I totally agree with you! Dating your husband is so important to a relationship. On a side note, my frozen yogurt is often covered in toppings too, that’s what makes those places so much fun! 🙂
Great reminder, Neely!! Our last date night, we went to a restaurant we had been wanting to try, then went to another place and had dessert and listened to live music. Then we get a Redbox but didn’t watch it until the next day.
Even though I am not dating anyone, just like dating, exercising, eating, and life, we need to keep it fun, interesting, and be open to trying new things. It is so easy to get into a rut, sometimes. Always fun to switch it up and get outside your comfort zone!
I like this post. Me and my fiance have been together almost five years and have been living together 4 of those years. We have not went on a date (besides Valentine’s Day each year) in most of the years we have been together. I like this post and I think I will mention it to him because I do believe couples should always date 🙂
Love the idea of alternating planning! and I always get fruity pebbles on my yogurt 🙂
I love this post! Jacob and I have started trading off on who picks what movie we will go see – I love the quote ‘you should never stop being your husband’s gf!’
Fruit loops in yogurt for the win!
I absolutely agree, Neely! Spending time together and connecting is so important in relationships. And it’s fun to find new things to do! I started a blog to help provide couples with fun date night ideas and doing the research to find unique places has been so fun! My husband and I have gone to the gun range, taken a glassblowing class, and have taken several cooking classes. He was NOT excited when I signed us up for a beekeeping class (because I wanted something unique, goofy and memorable) and he liked our beekeeping suit photo so much, we used it on our Christmas card! And right now, I’d like some thin mints in my yogurt!
Great advice for newly and seasoned marriages! It’s so imperative that we keep it fun! This reminds me that my husband and I need to have a yogurt date night! 🙂
Yup. Totally agree!
What a fun idea to have each other in charge. Otherwise, my hubby would say, :Where would you like to go?” instead of planning it himself. I will mention it to him and see what he says.
Sadly I cant remember the last time I went out with my husband sans children. definitely have to make that a priority this year!
My husband and I did this our first couple years of marriage. We called it the “special event.” We’d each take turns planning it. It kind of went by the wayside as the kids grew up but I have fond memories of it. And it’s still important to take moments out for one another – through all stages of marriage!
My hubby and I both love date nights (or date days sometimes). We go out to eat, catch occasional movies, go hiking and sometimes just stay in and play scrabble. It’s so important to catch up and stay connected
i couldn’t agree more with this. I love the idea of alternating date plans because it shouldn’t be one person planning all the time.
This was perfect. I’ve been with my boyfriend for 2 years and we were just talking about this exact concept! It’s not only good for people as a couple, but as individuals to keep having new experiences and growing.
Great post 😉
Cris
What a fun date! We try to have a date night once a week even if it’s a date at home. We also try to have a game night each week. It’s good to make sure you are spending quality time together.
What a great idea! Usually I plan our dates, but I think I’d love to let my husband take the reins. I’m so doing this!
We need a date night badly. We haven’t really been able to go out since the kids were born. Ah!
I love this!
I’ve been with my boyfriend for almost 8 months and we don’t go out that often anymore. It’s funny how you do just get into a routine and forget to actually date. Even when you’re still “dating.”
Looove this 🙂 so so so true! Great reminder!!
I totally agree…you can NEVER stop dating, no matter how long you’ve been with your person!! My fiance and I love turning everyday weeknights into spontaneous dates. We’ll both get home and go grocery shopping together for a meal from Pinterest, he’ll cook, I’ll bake, and then we’ll snuggle up on the couch with our wine and meal while we binge-watch a TV series or play Scrabble. Those nights end up being our favorites anyways.
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You are so right. It takes effort to keep connected.
I agree. It’s always fun and keeps the love alive when you actually plan to date each other.