by Tiya Cunningham-Sumter
I spend most of my Monday mornings at work listening to the exciting weekends of my co-workers. A fun spontaneous date by one, clubbing with girlfriends from the other and a quick weekend girls’ getaway by yet another. By the time it’s my turn to share, I don’t have much to add other than saying it was a good weekend. How boring that must sound. Most of the people I have these conversations with are not married, so they must be thinking “Wow, marriage is really boring.” But is it really?
After being together for so long, we do tend to get caught up in the same routine day in and day out. The weekends all run together, a birthday party here, the kids dance class, a soccer game etc, etc. All in all, yes, marriage can become boring, if we allow it to. If you are like me and choose to keep it fresh, check out these suggestions:
- Meet up in cyber space. A fun, sexy chat can be a lot of fun. You can meet in the chat room of any social networking site like Facebook.
- Write love letters. Remind your spouse how much you love them.
- Don’t go straight home. Set up a babysitter or grandparent in advance to pick up children so there won’t be any excuses. You and your spouse can head straight to your destination and have a great time.
- Be a tourist in your own city. Make a list of things you want to do or see and get out.
- Have game nights. Pick a game just for two and play after the kids have gone to bed. Add your own special twist on the rules to make it more exciting. Like, the loser has to _____________???
- Host a couples’ night. Grab other couples you feel could use a night out and have a couples’ outing. You could host one in your home or meet out somewhere fun.
- Attend a couples’ retreat. It is a great getaway and a perfect way to reconnect. Get spiritual guidance and experience exciting workshops and breakthrough sessions.
- Join a marriage ministry or group at your church. You will continue to be uplifted and given ideas that strengthen your marriage.
- Create a book club for couples. Pick a book, preferably one about relationships, read and discuss what you learned.
- Be spontaneous. Be open and willing to try new things.
BMWK, what would you add to the list that has worked for you in keeping your marriage exciting?
By Tiya Cunningham-Sumter, a Certified Life & Relationship Coach, Founder of Life Editing, creator of The Black Wives’ Club and an Administrator of Still Dating My Spouse. Tiya resides in Chicago with her husband and two children.