My husband and I have been married for over fifteen years. He is my favorite person in the history of ever. Being the parents of three kids means we have had many times when date nights were challenging or even nonexistent. We had to work hard to make sure that we made time for one another. I have always put my husband first because it is my absolute belief that our marries if the foundation of our family. If it begins to crumble, everything else will fall suite. We make date nights a priority along with getting away together for a few days alone each year. We work so much better as a team when we stay focused on each other’s emotional needs. That doesn’t happen if we don’t spend time together.
A date night is the perfect thing to get you out of the house and in a place to enjoy some quality time alone together. The problem is, your perfect date night may not always go according to plan. The babysitter bails on you last minute, you go for a night out away from kids and end up in a theater or restaurant full of screaming kids, or something else puts a hitch into your plans. What do you do? Well, there are ways you can plan ahead and try to have a great night every time.
So, what is the secret to a perfect date night?
Well, the main secret is there is no secret. Your date night should be about whatever you and your partner enjoy. It should be about spending quality time together and enjoying one another.
So, with this in mind, here are some tips:
- Plan something you both enjoy. Don’t worry about what you think you should be doing. Instead, do what feels right to you, even if it’s not what other people might do. This night is for you and you alone. Add to a dinner date by going for a walk afterwards, holding hands and talking. Sit under the stars on a blanket and just talk. Talking is something we take for granted in the chaos of everyday life.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. Sure, it’s easier said than done but you can’t let little things get in the way of having a good time. If things don’t go exactly how you wanted, just let it go. Don’t let those little things ruin a good night. Learn to laugh at yourselves and situations that come your way. Also, don’t be tied to a plan. If things aren’t going the way you planned, bail and try something new. Don’t let the idea of “perfect” ruin your time together.
- Spend time together. Put away your phones, the TV, and any other distractions. Whatever you choose to do, the important thing is choosing to do it together. Be present. Make eye contact. Listen and love.
These few tips aren’t rocket science but they are the very things that I we hold near and dear to our hearts when we spend time together. I like to think we have a healthy and happy marriage because we work hard at putting each other first and spending time together. It really is the best gift we can give one another.
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