Photography: Yaroslav & Jenny Photography
At the beginning of 2012, my husband and I agreed to add "more quality time as a couple, date night once a week" to our list of things to achieve in that year. We agreed to free Friday nights from any schedule except to spend time with each other. We would allow the children to have a sleepover at their grandparents place and make sure that none of us have any business engagements past 6 pm and we'd fill the evening with dinner or a movie, alone or with other couple friends, and basically catch up with each other.
For the first few months, it was hard for both of us to honor that promise. He would forget and still be stuck at work and I would have mini dramatic episodes about leaving my children for the night. But slowly, we reconnected and we began to look forward to shutting off early on Friday nights just to date each other. It felt like a few years ago before life even began for us, before marriage, before children. We saw some changes in our relationships after that. We didn't take each other for granted anymore. I didn't feel insecure about our relationship and he wasn't cranky as often. We became a stronger couple and better parents and better people. We still fought and argued, but in an intensity and frequency much lower than before.
Couple quality time was good on us. So we added "three-day getaway for two" on our list in 2013 - which went pretty well if you ask me - and it looks like 2014 will see more of that. Getting back in the dating game isn't easy - especially if you're going back in the game with the same person you've actually been with for ages. But it does wonders to your relationship. Go out for dinner or dance or movies. Go for outdoor sports together. The possibilities are endless, but whatever you do, get back in the game, get to know each other again, reconnect. Trust me, it's completely worth it. So if you're still sitting to jot down your list for 2015, make date night a part it.
Much love,
Maya
