In case you missed it, I gave my husband a year of dates, called “One Year of Dating” for Christmas this last year. Each month he has two planned dates ready for him – one is an at-home date night, and the other is a date night out. He just has to pick the days to do them.
The Date Night In
Month four of our date nights fell in April, a month after our baby boy’s birth. For anyone who has had a new baby, you will know very well what our date night in this month was. (*wink*) I got the formal idea from the website Love Actually (which has tons of great date night ideas by the way – However, they haven’t updated their site since March 2013. If you need more great date night ideas, I would check out The Dating Diva’s Ultimate Date Night Book. It’s awesome and has everything ready to go for you!).
The date night in is called “Pleasure Being Married to You – 6 Week Checkup.” It is very nice being married to Josh and I’m glad this part of our marriage has again resumed post-childbirth.
The Date Night Out
While we didn’t do this date in April, we did do it this last week! Josh has always loved books. In fact, one thing I remember very well from our time dating was Josh saying that someday he wished he could just sit in a room with his future wife (which would be me, though I wasn’t much of a reader at the time) and just be quietly reading books. No need for talking, but yet, be perfectly happy. I’m glad to report that there have been many occasions in our marriage where we have made that dream a reality! And we’ve even read some books out loud to each other. Recently, we’ve been some serious bookworms in our house, our kids included. So, this date was perfect!
Month four’s date night out is a bookstore challenge! Not only is it always fun to browse a bookstore, but to do it with your spouse is even better! Josh loved the date! He wants to do it again he loved it that much! We did a scavenger hunt found on Love Actually called “Bookstore Date.” When we do it again, we’ll come up with our own challenges and a scavenger hunt. Josh has a unique sense of humor, and is also well read, so he claims he always found the better books per the prompts. We made each round like a competition. He claims he won. (He did.)
We actually did this bookstore date night with our kids in tow as well. So far all our dates nights out have been with kids… But, all have still been enjoyable! And they were perfect at the bookstore, despite the racket they were making singing and dancing on the stage in the children’s area of Barnes and Noble. Michael was in the baby carrier on my chest and cried once momentarily. We took turns staying/watching the kids while the other looked for books. It was great. The kids had a great time and we actually got to enjoy a “date out.”
This is what my invite for Month Four said:
Dear Josh,I want you to know that it is a “Pleasure Being Married to you” and one night this month I will prove that to you.And then I will challenge your smarts in a bookstore!Love,Kate
What have you done lately with your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend?
A Year of Dates – Month Two Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Three Date NightsA Year of Dates – Month Four Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Five Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Six Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Seven Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Eight Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Nine Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Ten Date Nights
A Year of Dates – Month Eleven Date Nights
How to Make Your Own Year of Dates Gift
Hezzi-D says
The bookstore challenge sounds like fun! My husband and I enjoy going to Barnes and Noble together and just browsing.
Katelyn says
Oh! Then you’d probably love it! I would take the suggestions they had, and add even more of your own.
Brenna @ Life After Laundry says
This is such a good idea. My husband and I need this BAD! Plus, I think it would be a great gift for and couple.