Date Night~Part 1

 We have been in the process of moving the past couple of months, so our date nights have been placed on the back burner (and they have been missed), however beginning in December we are once again going to start monthly date nights...yippie!!! 

While the concept of having a date night every so often has been around for several decades, the idea of a husband and wife intentionally setting aside one morning/afternoon/night each week/month to spend some quality time together (without the kids, or pets, or anybody else), is a relatively new idea.  It is a time of intentional focus on one another. A time to engage in some good conversation with each other and a time to be able to check in a see how your spouse is doing (spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically). This intentional dating applies to newlyweds as much as it does those who have been married for 50 years or more. Some things may change (you most likely do not have children at home any longer, but it is just as important to invest in your marriage now, as it was when you first said those vows.

A date night doesn't have to cost at lot of $$, nor does it have to be a big extravagant production.  In her blog, Christian Stay at Home Moms, Heather states, "
You can easily have a fun date night at home just spending time together. My husband and I have been known to have a fun time just sitting on the couch doing a crossword puzzle together." 

The key to an effective date night is three-fold (1) Be intentional (2) Lay aside anything that may distract either one of you...including your iPhone, iPad or other cellular device (3) HAVE FUN!!!!

Now, for those of you who live in the Northwest, more specifically the PDX area, I will be posting some date night ideas that I hope inspire you and your mate on your next date.