How We Do Date Nights

Last week, I joined Table for More and Life After... for their brand new link up, Wedded Bliss Wednesdays.  It was so fun to introduce you to my husband!  This week's post is equally as wonderful: date nights!  (To be honest, with a name like Wedded Bliss Wednesdays, I'm sure each week will be great!)

on one of our first dates as Mr. & Mrs.

How often do you and your husband have a date night? When we were living in North Carolina, we had exactly one date night between Lucia's birth in December and our move to Colorado in July.  Our night out was great, but it really wasn't a big deal not to go out much because Lucia was asleep by 8:00 and slept all night (it's a much different situation now!).  We had every evening to devote to ourselves as a couple.  Since we've moved back to Colorado, we've tried to have at least one date night a month.  We live with my parents right now, so we don't have as much "alone time".  Living with my parents does mean that we have two very willing babysitters almost any time we want.  Finances are tight, so we can't go out much, but we budget, find cheap things to do, use coupons, and make it work at least once a month.

What did you do on your first date?  It was also the first time we met in person since we met online, so we didn't commit to much.  David picked me up for dinner.  I remember looking out from my upstairs window to see his car when it pulled up and watching him walk to the door in a salmon shirt.  He was so cute!  We went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  He barely touched his plate (he says he had a big lunch, but I know he was nervous!) and I ate everything on mine and was embarrassed about it!  The date was going to well that we ended up going to miniature golf and then renting a movie to watch together.  It was about the least romantic movie on earth, "No Country for Old Men". 

I can't share our first date without sharing this gem: I went to the bathroom after dinner and was in there a while because my mom had texted me and I had to write her back. (She was worried that he was a serial killer since I met him online.  I texted her back, "Leave me alone. He's cute!")  Years later I found out that because I was gone so long David was afraid I had climbed out a window and ditched him.  No such luck!

What is your favorite kind of date night?  I love any date where we have the opportunity to talk and something to talk about other than our daughter.  We love being parents, but we are united as parents 24/7.  It's nice to reconnect as husband and wife.  I recently wrote about one of my favorite dates ever, seeing a movie after we both read the book it was based on and then discussing it.  I'm hoping to do this again soon when The Great Gatsby comes out as a movie.

How do you do date night on a budget? Those are the only dates we do nowaways.  If we had our own apartment or if my parents took Lulu somewhere, we could make dinner at home, watch a movie or play a board game.  Usually we go to dinner or dessert (with coupons or deals through Groupon type sites) and sometimes the $3 movie theatre.  We often will take a walk after dinner.   

What is the best kind of date your husband could surprise you with?!  It sounds really cliche to say a nice dinner, but both my husband and I love eating new, interesting ethnic cuisine.  I really love getting dressed up and feel like we don't have much of a chance to do it anymore, so I would love if he would give me an hour to get all dressed up and then take me out to a nice restaurant with exotic dishes.  On the other end of the spectrum, I also adore picnics or an afternoon in the park.

I think it's so important to continue to "date" after getting married, especially once children come into the picture.  I feel like dates take on a different meaning now and it's amazing to be able to go home with your date and know that he's your partner for life!  Especially after two years long distance, to not have to say (or kiss) goodbye at the end of the date reminds me of the beauty of marriage!  Marriage means...not having to say goodbye.