You’ve waited for it. You’ve counted down. You’ve bought a new outfit. You’ve gotten a manicure.
You’ve shaved your legs for the first time in approximately 47 days.
Date night with the husband is here!
Now what?
Have you ever had this happen? You’ve planned a great night away from the kids with your husband. You hug the kids goodbye, give the babysitter a few last-minute instructions and scurry out the door. You look at your husband and say, “Ok, so what do you want to do?â€
And your husband says, “I don’t know, what do you want to do?â€
Ninety minutes later, you’ve driven around trying to figure out the perfect place to eat, and they’re all busy. You went to the movies but were too late to catch the hot flick of the weekend. You went to a bar and were shocked at how young everyone else was.
You end up at Applebee’s splitting an appetizer and drinking two margaritas, and then head home, thinking that you should have planned the night a little bit better.
We have done this more times than I can count, unfortunately. So what’s a married couple to do with a few hours to themselves and no kids? Let’s talk about some creative ideas for using that valuable quality time in a fun way that will let you connect with your partner.
1.   Take a cooking class. Yes, I know, there’s a chance you already cook a lot at home. But away from the pressures of a 6:00 dinner bell and a fun environment with your spouse, taking a cooking class together can make for a fun evening where you can bond over some food. My favorites? A dessert class for a little romance, or a bread or pasta-making class where you can dig in and get messy!
2.   Get outdoors for a day date. Heading back into nature for a daytime date can be a terrific opportunity for you and your partner to get some fresh air and have a quiet place to talk and hold hands. Try a moderately easy hike or a walk around the local town lake. Even a bike ride can be incredibly refreshing. Stop off for a quick bite and a beer for lunch afterwards.
3.   Split the date in two. Divide your date into two parts – you pick what to do for the first half, and your partner, the second half. No complaining about your spouse’s choice! This allows each of you to choose something you’ve really wanted to do.
4.   Go sporty casual. Don’t complicate what should be a relaxing time by adding fancy clothes and a shi-shi restaurant to the mix. Slap on a ball cap and hit up a local sporting event – minor league baseball, arena football, even a hockey game. Share some ballpark food.
5.   People watch. Slow down a little bit! Find an outdoor café. Grab some coffee or a bottle of wine and people-watch. It can be a relaxing break from the constant prattle of children, dogs, housework and schoolwork.
Things I don’t recommend for a date? Planning your will. Organizing closets. Running errands. Talking about finances. Crossing an item off of your to-do list isn’t prioritizing your marriage, it’s prioritizing your to-do list! It’s tempting to try and get stuff accomplished with your free time, but try to put your Type-A personality aside and just enjoy!
