A Life In Review

Whether you’re dating, engaged or have been married for 50 years, dates are so important to a healthy relationship. I have talked about this before, but dating doesn’t stop when you get married and it’s probably one of my favorite parts of marriage. Last year was the first time in 4 years that we missed a monthly date night (we do at least ONE intentional date night each month). It broke my heart, but between the kids being sick, us being sick and then childcare falling through (due to sickness), we couldn’t do a date one month.

Because of that, we sat down and re-figured our goals for this year to include extra intentional time. You might think, how are you going to do that if you couldn’t even manage all 12 dates last year? It’s called commitment. Life will sometimes get in the way, but relationships are so important and we are using 2024 to prioritize each other. That said, we have to be creative sometimes with how to make that time work because we cannot rely on other people to watch our kids all the time (if you’re childless, that doesn’t necessarily apply to you, but you have your own obstacles).

So let’s look at this spring as a chance to spend some intentional quality time with the person we love, with some great spring time date ideas!

1. Picnic in the “Park” – This can look different depending on where you live and what you have access too, but the point of this is to make and pack your own food and eat outside. Get creative though. Make something fun (not just PB&J). Then take your food and go eat at the park, or even your backyard.
2. $30 – $40 Budget Date Challenge – I’m going to link the video here for the instructions on this one. It was so fun to do this. We did it back in the winter, but you can literally do it at any time.
3. Mini Golf – This is such a fun spring date. Especially if you live in the south because it’s not too hot yet. You can grab a quick bite to eat maybe at a food truck or something like that and then play together.
4. A “Something You Love” Date – The premise of this date is that you will both be getting to do something you love. You will get a QUICK bite to eat (if you don’t have kids or have to work the next day, time constraints are less of an issue). After that you each get to pick a place to go. Then you will spend and equal amount of time in both places. For example if you spend an hour fishing, you also spend an hour in the book store. Same goes for Target and Lowes or any other store. You are intentionally doing something that the other person loves WITH them.
5. Ride Bikes – This date idea is for those of you who like to be active. You can ride to your hearts content and then stop and break for a snack. This is a date that does not need to have a meal involved (not all dates need to include food BTW). This is a quality time date for sure.
6. Visit a Farmers Market – I was pleasantly surprised to find out just how many towns host farmers markets now. These are a great place to walk around and have a date. They usually have food there too, so you can eat.
7. Become Mixologists – Using either a kit from Amazon, or YouTubing how to make drinks, this date is sure to be a blast. You are going to become mixologists and make your own adult beverages. I do suggest having finger foods available for this date though.
8. Visit a Botanical Garden – Underrated, but lovely date idea. We have the cutest botanical garden in my town. You can bring your own food there OR you don’t have to have food at all. Like I said before, not every date has to include food. If you don’t have a botanical garden, try to find a local nursery to check out. The point of this date is to literally stop and smell the flowers together.
9. Go to a Sporting Event – I cannot stress this enough, but do not take the kids (if you have some). This is just for the two of you. Go see a hockey game or a baseball game. Get some food and just enjoy being together while watching a sport you love live. It is such a fun date experience.
10. Rent Your Dream Car – This is one that was Pinterest inspired and I loved it. You literally go rent your dream car for the day and then go on a date. Get dinner and then drive around. It’s so simple, but so fun.
11. Amusement Park or Zoo – These may seem weird to do as adults but they are so fun to do when you can just be free and let yourselves have fun. Bonus if you live near Disney and can just go there.
12. Get a Couples Massage – I’ve seen this one on so many lists. This sounds like a lot of relaxing fun. It doesn’t have to be an all day thing. It’s just something peaceful that you can do together.
13. Go on a Double Date – I know this doesn’t seem like quality time with your SO but you would be surprised at how sweet double dating can be.
14. Re-Create Your First Date – if it’s been a long time since your first date this would be so fun to do. You can talk about all the feelings you had back then and how far you have come. If you have moved since then, you can still do it, just not in the same exact location. Just get creative.
15. Go on a Hike – You already know that I am not really outdoorsy but I felt like this one had to be included for Spring. I couldn’t exclude my hiker friends. Just know that this is supposed to be intentional time to make sure that you choose a place you can hike and still be together (keep up with each other).
16. Sunset Ice Cream Date – This is just a sweet (see what I did) date night idea. It would be extra special if you can walk by the water while you eat your ice cream.
17. Go Dancing – Whether you take a dance class, or find a place to dance, the point of this date is to just let loose and be free together.
18. Nerf Gun War – This is something that I really want to do. Wether you have to go pick out Nerf Guns (which can be part of the date) or if you have them. Clear the room and start a war with each other. This is a more adventurous and childlike-fun date. I wouldn’t suggest this one for a first date.
19. Go Berry Picking – I cannot tell you what berries are in season where you are, but spring is the perfect time to pick them. If you want to elevate this date, pick the berries and then go home and bake something with them together (a pie, bread, pancakes, etc.)
20. Yard Sale/ Antiquing Date – This is a super fun spring like date. You can find antique stores to rummage through, or hit up as many yard sales as you can find. This is such a simple, but fun date that can leave time for conversation in the car while you’re driving from place to place.

BONUS: Do an Overnight – Even if you don’t leave town, just get out of the house and go stay in a nice hotel for the night. Let someone feed you and change your sheets and have a change of scenery. This one will take more planning but trust me when I tell you that this is so refreshing to just get out.

I hope that the wheels are turning in your head now and that you are coming up with more ideas than I have. There were so many more that I could have written, but I find myself REALLY overwhelmed by the lists that have 50 – 100 different date nights on them. I thought 20 was a solid number.

I love dating my husband. It’s one of my favorite things we do each month. I look forward to it. We are trying to add in more things then your traditional dinner and movie type of night, so this post is as much for me as it is for you. I hope that you take the time to date your significant other this spring and that you feel a sense of renewed joy in your relationship.