Planning A Date Night

If you have children, work a ton of hours, or work different hours from your spouse, it may have been a long time since you enjoyed a date night with your husband. It is important to schedule these date nights to keep your marriage alive and healthy - allowing you to rekindle the feelings you enjoyed when you first became a couple.

Make it a Date

If you're going to plan a date night, make it a real date. Ask your spouse on a date instead of just saying "let's go to dinner." Clear your schedule for one full evening and make plans, make reservations, buy tickets - whatever your date entails. In fact, while you're at it - why not schedule a couple of dates into your organizer so that you can continue the tradition.

Pick Something Special

Date night should give you a chance to talk and enjoy each other's company. Although going to see a movie or a play is enjoyable and gets you out together, it may not be ideal for the first date night. Instead get intimate and have dinner and go dancing. Talk about things other than work and the children.

Get Ready Separately

It's fun to get dressed up and surprise each other when going on a date night. Get ready in separate locations or separate rooms if need be, so that your spouse doesn't see you applying your make-up and slipping into that sexy outfit.

Get Out of the House

Yes, it's fun to snuggle up with a blanket and a bowl of popcorn to watch a rented movie on your television, but that's not a true date night. Date night is to get you up and out of the house, away from the television, the telephone, the computer, the cell phone, and any other obstacles that take you away from each other.

Remember Your First Dates

It may have been a while ago, but try to remember your first few dates. Did your spouse open the door for you and bring you flowers? Did you hold his hand as he drove the car? Did you kiss on the doorstep? Your date nights should help you relive those moments and thoughtful gestures, thus rekindling those emotions and helping you to recall why you love each other.