I got this idea from the radio station this morning…they were talking about dating and how people don’t do it much anymore. They were talking about single people, but it got me thinking, ‘they should have a show where people call in and give suggestions for dates’.

I’m not talking about the most elaborate date you’ve ever been on or heard of, but suggestions for nice, fun couple-stuff to do to start ‘dating’ your DH again. As we all know, ttc makes you crazy, and can take the romance and fun and togetherness out of intimacy. I know DH and I do and feel MUCH better if we spend time out alone, the more frequently, the better. We start to fall apart emotionally if it all becomes about the bills, the kids, the scheduling, the honey-do lists, etc. No-pressure ‘couple time’ is essential for our emotional health, but we are still learning how to stay on top of it. Nothing elaborate or expensive, just things to help de-stress and have some fun. I know I can use the inspiration, maybe someone else can too…

Here’s one that we did recently: We went to Barnes & Noble for no reason whatsoever, got a coffee, and wandered around for an hour or so. Sometimes together, sometimes separately. Talked about this and that, made fun of the sex-how-to books, and stuff like that.

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I just realized that this would probably be more appropriate in the 'Relationships' section, if a mod wants to move it.

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we have shannon time - which is basically snuggle time. we got married in june, moved into our new home in sept and got pregnant in jan - so things have been go, go, go....when he hears me says shannon time, he knows to stop and meet me on the couch. he's even started saying russ-time...lol

i also like to buy him small gifts every now and then. usually i'll go to the drugstore and buy some of his favorite candy, a muscle car or motorcycle mag and a beer or a really nice cigar....he really loves that as well!

once summer is here, it's nice to do an afternoon picnic as well.

shannon

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Great idea Gem!!

A few weeks ago on a cool clear night we snuggled up in the hammock in the backyard - talked, looked at the stars, and eventually fell asleep! It was a really nice, relaxing night with no phone, TV, or anything else to get in the way.

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We like to plant flowers or work in the garden together. It is usually pretty quiet and we dont have to get a babysitter or anything because the girls can run around.

When we do get a sitter we like to go to the movies. It is nice to just sit there together and not use your brain sometimes.

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Cute idea GemGoddess!

We often have "Hot Dates" it may be going out to eat or visiting our friends or whatever we feel like doing. But DH makes a point to call and ask me out on a "Hot Date". Even if we don't do much it makes me feel good being asked out on a date again!

My DH is a general contractor so he has several jobs going on around town so sometimes we also go work or clean on a job site. That is kind of fun to be a part of helping him on his projects too.

Oops! That was me. I guess I wasn't logged in!

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Dana

This might sond goofy, but here goes...

When my Dh gets up to go into another room (or when I do, he does this to me too!) I'll jump up and stand in the door and tell him he can't go by without paying the "kiss tax." Sometimes he'll kiss me and go about his way, sometimes he'll laugh and make me chase him. Both outcomes are fun!

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We usually just go to dinner & then we might go see a movie! I have been trying to talk him into playing putt putt b/c that was our first date. But he says that he gets bored too quick! Maybe I can talk him into doing that tonight though since it is so nice out!!!

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Well my dh and I always eat out so thats nothing new. We just hang out mostly. Rarely go to the movies. Until now we used to go out on the weekends to the bar with our friends. We just mingled with everyone else the whole time so after having drinks when we got home it was almost like a booty call. Made it pretty exciting and waking up the next day to someone you love.

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Before I got pg DH and I would have "Cocktail Night" every thursday. We'd watch a movie or a good show...or sometimes go down in our basement and karaoke and have a few cocktails...

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Dh and I always make sure we have time for date night Most of the time its just a nice dinner out and we come back to the house rent movies. We dont answer the phone or the door, its just us. I love it. ITs my idea of a perfect night.

I like to go on the truck with my DH at least 4 times a year. That is a week together in a truck. Some may think close quarters for a week, but we talk about everything, and when we do get home we are closer than ever. We even discuss things the other does that get on the others nerves, we can't run from one another so it is a good time to do that, hey where I am I going to go. Forrest is good about surprises too while we are together. Several times he went in a truck stop and came out with sandwiches, chips and drinks in a bag. We stopped just down the road and had a nice picnic. While sitting there eating he pulled out a rose and said will you marry me all over again. He makes things romatic no matter where we are together. About once every other month he tries to beat me in and fix a romatic dinner for two, he is quite thoughtful in those situations.

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For DH, a date is going to a movie, which is almost every weekend. For me, it's something more than that. Something where we can interact with each other and bond some more. Before we got married, we used to go to Starbucks all the time to talk, do puzzles and write naughty notes to each other on napkins. That was always fun. I want to do that again. But it's been a while since we've had a nice date. I'm getting some nice ideas from here though

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Dating your DH is a must!!!

I’m on marriage # 3. His 2nd. We are both fanatical to keeping the romance alive and doing whatever it takes. Right now it’s easy because we just have my son who’s 9. Life I’m sure will change once again with a little one.

Some basic stuff we do: Always say good morning with kisses and hugs before another word is said. Same thing when one of us gets home. There is to be no asking of what’s in the mail or what’s for dinner. First hugs and kisses. Always say I love you before we depart. And last but not least saying good night is the last words we hear.

But to the more fun stuff. Friday night is family night. We rent a movie, watch wresting, play a board game, go bowling, or laser tag.

Saturday night is date night. Mostly we go salsa dancing. Other things we do are go to a Latin Jazz Club and have drinks and appetizers. We go to the beach and museums quite a bit. Every Thursday I get e-mails from the two different counties near where we live with local weekend events…a lot of these events are free. And we look through that and check out a different cultural event in the area. Even if it’s something neither one of us is “into” we may discover a new passion. We’ve also gone to those places where you can paint a ceramic piece. That was fun!

Last but not least. I cook probably 5 nights out of the week. He cooks once and then another night we go out to eat. In order to try lots of different places (we live close to a downtown area). We got the local magazine and wrote down the names of all the restaurants in the area…even those places where we may not know the type of food they have. And when we want to go out we pull the names out of a bowl and that’s where we go. No negotiating needed. Once we come back home we write down our “critiques” on the back of an index card.

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