by Katherine O’Grady
Here are some things that I have learned about dating through personal experience, doing life with my husband, Jason. First, set aside time for your spouse. In life, making time for each other isn’t always convenient or easy, but it’s healthy and helpful for your marriage. Like a workout, make it a habit! Also, it’s good to avoid doing dates that just one person in the marriage enjoys. Take turns picking out the dates. One spouse might like dinner and the movies, while the other might like running in the forest with a head lamp, trying not to trip on branches. The world is full of opposites, and as they say, opposites attract!
Here are some examples:
Relaxing:
- Couples massage
- Book dinner (Check out a new place!)
- Head to the movies (Try a new genre!)
- Try bookstore dating: Choose a category, like “absurd/funny books,” set the clock, and browse around to find your favorite. Come back and compare. Laugh!
- Picnic together
- Visit the library and read side by side
- Take in a live concert
- Experience the theatre
- Attend the symphony or orchestra
Active:
- Indoor rock climbing
- Bowling
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Cross country skiing
- Arcade competitions (Is he really as good at Ms. PacMan as he claims he was in junior high? Find out!)
- Axe throwing
- Cooking classes, such as community education classes or those with HyVee or Cooks of Crocus Hill (in the Twin Cities). In these classes, you can learn to prepare a new dish or watch a cooking demonstration by a top chef. The bonus: you can both then eat the food…without the dishes!