Date Nights are Important!!

Marriage Check- Up Date

I read a book not too long ago giving me ideas on how to make date nights fun and different without spending money. One of the chapters was on the Marriage Check- Up Date. In this date we spent time thinking about our goals, our likes, our dislikes, our favorite moments, of the past year of our marriage. It was a perfect platform to reflect and catch up. 

For this particular date I went a bit above and beyond. I hand-made and mailed a formal invitation for Mike. I enclosed "homework" cards for him to complete. I made one of his favorite meals and I decorated the living room to look romantic and special. (You can see my homework cards sitting on the table.)

I am not sure what Mike was expecting with all my secrets in regards to this date but this is definitely a winner! I would like to have this date every six months or so. I loved catching up on happenings, talking about our hopes and dreams, and just listening to each other for an extended amount of time. How often are we rushed to just "get it out"? This was a moment of total communication. All focus was on the other person. There was no agenda or schedule. We just ate at our leisure, shared stories, and went through our Marriage Check- Up questions. (Note, if you want me to send you my invite or homework cards let me know...)

I know it is imperative that we DATE REGULARLY! Our dates allow us to focus on our loved ones. It doesn't always have to be an "event." Last weekend we ate at Chick Fil A and got ice cream cones at Ikea. But we sat in the booth at Chick Fil A for a good hour just talking away. Dates are not a something we want... they are a something we NEED! It is so important to stop and to focus on one another in this busy crazy life and dates are a perfect way to do that.

So here is to six months from now... when we have another Marriage Check-Up Date to reflect upon our new lives as parents!