5 Do's of Date Night: a guest post

I'm excited to be linking up with Kendra from Open Spaces Blog for a guest post again today. I really like what Angie from Chasing My Halo has to say about dating. I know that Trevon and I try really hard to plan date nights, and have been doing better lately, but it's tricky to plan around schedules, kids, budge, etc. So here are a few helpful hints from Angie about all of that. 

This is a guest post written by Angie from Chasing My Halo.

With February quickly approaching it starts to happen: Love is in the air! Pinterest abounds with recipes, gift ideas, crafts, and romantic sentiments to make Valentine's Day special. I'm the first to jump on Cupid's wagon, but I also try to remember that romance is a year round goal that doesn't always mean flowers and candy. My marriage is only a little over two years, but some of the best advice we've been given is to make space for date night. It sounds so easy and a little trivial compared to all the harder things in marriage, but it's the smallest things that can make the biggest difference! Here are my 5 Do's of Date Night.

Make it a priority 

This is the hardest part for us. We put it in our calendar, but then other things come up that seem more important and it gets cancelled. We know some couples that pick a certain day of the week and set it in stone. That is a great way of making it a priority, but it's just not practical for us. We will check our schedule for the upcoming week and set one night (or day) aside that works best depending on that week. The important part is keeping it even when last-minute things come up that aren't of vital importance. I've also heard that making it a habit pre-kids helps for when it gets even harder to get away after kids!

Make it persistent 

Every.single.week. Missed weeks start to accumulate, and before you know it it's been months since good quality time with each other.

Make it practical 

Every couple is in a different situation. Kids, finances, health, and all sorts of things come into play and it is not always possible to have an extravagant night out week after week. A Fresh Start on a Budget has a GREAT list of 50 inexpensive date ideas. If its been an exhausting week have a night in! Many of our date nights are pretty chill, but even if it's dinner in with movie the point is to make time for just each other.

Make it pleasurable 

This is kind of a given, but have fun with it and change it up! You want this to be something you look forward to week after week. Step outside the routine and experience something new with each other. Life hands out enough lemons as is so being able to go to each other as a place of refuge and laughter is all-important!

Make it unplugged

Last but definitely not least! It is so irritating when we are out and checking our phones. We have to be super intentional about turning off our devices because it's second nature at this point to constantly check in. Force yourself to make eye contact and have real conversation. Your social networks will still be there at the end of the date I promise!

So this season why not save all those Valentine's Day ideas you pinned and use them year round? You may even find that romance is even sweeter when it's not on February 14th ;-).