The happiest couples I know are the ones who make an effort to keep the romance alive. In other words, they put deposits into the relationship account when life so often takes withdrawals. 

Dates nourish the relationship and help keep couples building their friendship and connection with each other while getting out of the mundaneness of life. Dates are super important. Just like exercise is for the body, they keep the system running better and healthier. 

And the best part is, dates don’t need to cost a fortune to consider them sizable deposits into your account. From simple to extravagant, it’s about being present and in the moment that counts most. 

Before we get to the fun stuff, there are just 2 rules to consider: 

1 - Clear distractions. Being on a date means giving your undivided attention to your partner. Phones are away, and you are focused on being together. 

2 - Double dates don’t count. Going out with another couple can be fun, but doesn’t qualify as an official date. One-on-one dates allow for a deeper level of intimacy.

Here are some date ideas:

• Home picnics. Parents of a newborn or young baby can have a small picnic on the floor while the baby is sleeping. Still close by, but catching a few minutes of togetherness and marveling about the fact that they’re actually parents. 

• Walks. One of my favorite dates is walking together, whether in a city, beach, or forest. Walking side by side, hand in hand, encountering the world together is an amazing way to connect and have meaningful conversations. And when you’re walking, you can’t look at your phone ;)

• Shared activities. Going bowling or spending a day doing something active are great opportunities to create time to be present with each other. Even taking a class together (i.e., a cooking class or a dance class) can be a fun date, but you have to make certain you talk about the class and share how it impacted you personally. 

• Game time. You can go to an arcade and play video games and remember that playful energy you felt as a kid playing video games with your friends. 

• Creative cooking. Having your own iron chef cooking competition is a fun way to connect and feed yourself. Or nacho night and talking over the nachos. I think the essential ingredient in all of these ideas is listening, sharing, and being present. 

• Dance it out. Anything that involves dancing is one of the best dates. Dancing gets you laughing, playing, and touching. It’s one of the fastest ways to fall in love, and you can do it at the club or in your kitchen.  

• Alter-egos. Imagine dressing up in costumes and pretending you don’t know each other and re-meeting your SO with new names, made-up backgrounds, and imaginations flowing and playing. Try to stay in character for as long as possible, but what’s most important is to listen, share, and be present. 

• The usual. Picnics in the park, pickleball, coffee, a cocktail, breakfast, lunch, or dinner can all be dates, with the purposeful intention to listen, share and be present with each other. 

Did this strike any ideas for you? 

Can you commit to setting up a date with your partner in the next week or so? 

I hope so!