Dating Your Spouse
During the last year, a lot of couples have struggled with spending time together. On the one hand, you’re together all the time thanks to stay at home orders and everything being closed.
You’d think that would be enough: Game night, family time, cozy evenings on the couch. Sure, all of that is nice but it’s not the same.
Jeff and I are used to going on work trips together or going out with friends for dinner. We used to go grocery shopping together too.
All of that has changed and it’s honestly been difficult to get used to. There have been some silver linings in all of it, most notably being a more mellow schedule. But I’m finding it more difficult to spend real quality time with Jeff, and I miss that.
I wrote about this topic earlier in the pandemic, but I have a feeling we all need a bit of a refresher.
Do Date Night In
If restaurants are still shut down where you live, get creative and have your date night in. Fix a nice breakfast to enjoy outdoors before the kids wake up or wait for them to go to bed (or hide in their bedrooms) and have a candlelight dinner just the two of you. You can even dress up to make it feel more special. After all, how many times have you dressed up in the last year?
Commit to a Series
I love to catch a Netflix show with my kids, but some of them should be reserved just for the adults. Bridgerton is one of those shows–and there are plenty of others that aren’t kid-friendly. Pick one and commit to snuggling on the couch and watching it with your partner. You don’t need to binge it and watch as quickly as possible. Maybe you make Tuesday nights your Netflix nights and watch an episode a week.
Take a Hike
Opting outdoors is always a good idea in my book–no matter where you live. Find a new trail to hike near home together or take a day trip to an area where you’ve both been wanting to visit. Being active and outdoors is a safe option if you’re distancing from others and dressed appropriately for the weather. There are plenty of other outdoor activities you can discover together too: frisbee golf, pickleball, bocce ball, and more!
Most importantly, be sure to prioritize your relationship with your partner. I know it’s been tough, but it’s necessary to maintain the health of your relationship. You need to connect at different levels and simply being present in the same home is not the same as spending quality time together.
