One of the things a couple can do to ensure they keep their relationship fresh and exciting is to schedule a weekly date night. This should be a standing appointment that couples make a firm commitment to keep. This standing weekly appointment should be the most important, respected, and valued event on your calendar. Keeping this commitment communicates to your partner that they are special and that you value and cherish spending time with them. Poor excuses such as I’m tired, I’m broke, or the baby sitter cancelled should never be given or accepted as reasons to reschedule your date. Using excuses can make your mate feel devalued and insignificant and create an easy out that could ultimately lead to date night occurring less frequently or not at all. It is the couple’s responsibility to honor this obligation, thereby sending a clear message to their children, family, and friends to respect their scheduled commitment by not attempting to infringe upon this sacred time.
Date Night Planning is Not One Sided
Dates can range from a night out on the town to an intimate evening at home. Planning for these dates should be a shared responsibility. The dates can be planned together or can be alternated weekly between each partner. Planning your dates should not be stressful. Nor should it be a competition. After all the purpose of the dates are to spend private time together doing things you enjoy as a couple.
In other words, there should not be an overly romanticized expectation of what the date should be. The only aspect of the date that should be larger than life is your appreciation for being able to spend time with your best friend, lover, and confidant. Although I love to go out and enjoy all the interesting things the city of Atlanta has to offer, I prefer to spend time alone with my honey at home. I prefer planning dates at home because it allows you to be wildly imaginative and creative. It also gives you the opportunity to personalize the evening and incorporate little special touches that your mate will love.
Date Night at Home is Still Date Night
An at home date night can be as simple as a movie with all of your favorite (these are going to mess up my diet) snacks, a weekly appointment with Olivia Pope, Huck, and Fitz while savoring your favorite bottle of wine, a scavenger hunt that begins with the first clue written on a post-it note and left on your mate’s morning cup of coffee and ending with a trail of rose petals and candles leading them straight to you.
I delight in epicurean experiences, so one of my favorite at home dates is cooking together. Food is sexy as it incites the senses. Preparing a meal with your significant other is very seductive and can lead to an evening filled with erotic pleasures; especially if you include a few aphrodisiacs on the menu.
An at home date can even be a home project that you have been putting off like cleaning out a closet or the attic. To get the party started all you need to do is put on some old school music that makes you wave your hands in the air and party like you just don’t care, pack a picnic basket filled with your favorite finger foods and a few ice cold beverages like: fruit, wings, deviled eggs, sandwiches, sweet tea or strawberry lemonade and then get busy. It won’t hurt either party to wear something comfortable yet sexy. Be sure to flirt, steal kisses, show off some of your sexy old school dance moves, and accidentally on purpose touch or bump into each other all evening long.
Date nights don’t have to be extravagant. They simply have to be fun, thoughtful, and filled with love. If you are not already doing so, breathe some new life into your relationship by incorporating date nights. Go for it and put the fire and passion back into your relationship.
BMWK: When are you going to plan your next date night? Where are you going?