10/10 Recommend Dating Your Spouse

Wanna know what's better than going on a date? Going on a date with your spouse. Let's be honest first dates can be awkward and even stressful. There's no pressure to order the salad (that will leave you starving by the time you get home) or running out of things to talk about when you date your spouse. When you're married you can order whatever you want. 10/10 recommend dating your spouse after you get married. 

Remember last week when I wrote about how I hate the phrase "the honeymoon phase"? Dating your spouse is another great way to make the honeymoon last.

First Things First is a great website that is full of marriage and parenting advice. The article Why Date Night Matters outlines  3 main benefits to dating your spouse on a regular basis.  

1. Connection: Setting aside time regularly is very important in marriage. Dating will help you stay connected. Feeling connected to your spouse will strengthen your marriage and may bring a sense of calmness (even if it's just for the time you are on the date) in you life. 

2. Intimacy: When life gets busy it's easy for the romance felt in the beginning of the relationship to dim down a bit. First Things First says it best, "regular date nights [increases] intimacy and passion in your marriage".

3. Resilience: Life is hard, work is hard, marriage is hard, school is hard... but it can be more manageable with your partner on your side. Dating your spouse helps strengthen the bond between husbands and wives.

Now I know what you're thinking "In a perfect world I would date my spouse". 

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses..KIDDING! I know life can get so crazy that you aren't able to spend quality time with your spouse. What if I told you you that dating your spouse does not have to include dinner and a movie? I mean it totally can if that's your thing.

For some couples going on a date is way expensive because. Not only do you have to pay for the date, you have to pay for a sitter too. Some of my friends that have kids cut this expense by kid swapping with another couple. When this isn't possible at home dates are a good alternative. Put the kids to bed early and then bust out the date. 

Here are some of my favorite at home date ideas.

1. Use a random word generator and sculpt whatever word you get out of play-dough. Give your self a time limit for an extra challenge.

2. Picnic in the living room.

3. Game night! play your favorite board games from your childhood (or adult games...you choose).

4. Design your dream house.

5. Bob Ross paint night.

6. Cook a new dish or dessert together.

7. Movie Night! watch your favorite current or childhood movie.

Sometimes we rrrreeeaaallllyyyy need to get out of the house, but we don't want to break the bank. Here are some of my favorite cheap dates.

1. Hiking (who am I kidding?).... walking cool trails in my area.

2. Thrift shopping (if we're careful this is cheap lol). 

3. Tacos...always Tacos

4. Play a sport (tennis and soccer are our go to).

5. Walking in a "dream" neighborhood. (maybe because we are so over apartment living).

Okay, so these lists are short and simple. I could go on and on, but every couple is different. What works for me and my husband may not work for you and your spouse. What I do know is that dating your spouse will work for your marriage no matter what stage of life you are in.  

I am always looking for new at home or cheap date ideas. Comment below some of your favorites!

Happy dating!