day dates

Recently Lonnie and I have been making an effort to go on more dates.  A few months ago we had a talk about how we sometimes just felt like we lived together and didn't really spend much time together.  I would say we were in a rut.  We decided that spending time together, just the two of us, needed to become a priority.

We realized that we needed to change our idea of a date.  Going out to dinner was just too hard.  I felt like I had to get all fancy (took too much time).  He felt too tired after working all day.  We would get to the restaurant, eat and then look at each other like ok let's go home and go to bed!  We came to the conclusion that we needed to go out when we had energy and do something that didn't require getting dressed up.  DAY DATES!  

Day dates were the perfect fix.  We could do something fun during the day...like when the sun was out!  Genius, really.  My mother in law comes to town about once a week so we decided to start having her come on Saturdays.  If she couldn't then we would have a date on Sunday's while B was at my mom's house.  Sunday wasn't an option until football season was over ;)

For the past 6 or 7 weeks we have had a day date once a week.  This has helped us tremendously.  We weren't in a bad spot or anything.  I just missed my husband.  I missed dating him!  We used to do all kinds of fun things together and it has become hard to put us first since adding one to our family.  I know how important it is for us to keep a healthy relationship and that is the very best thing for Blakely.  Spending time with him has been good for my soul.  He is my best friend and he "gets" me like no one else.  He would say he likes it...not sure he would say it was good for his soul ;)

Here are a few of the things we have done!

We went to see the movie Lincoln.  LOVED.  We are both history nerds and he is a total movie buff so I knew we would like it.  I cried, of course, even though I knew what was going to happen.  Great movie.  We hadn't been to an actual movie in a while.  I felt like a teenager holding his hand and stealing kisses.  We may have acted like teenagers.  

We played pool.  Actually, he taught me how to play pool.  People in there were staring at us because they were all regulars (on an early Friday afternoon?) and we just looked funny hopping in there for pool and some drinks.

One Saturday we went downtown to a gun show and then we went to to a shooting range to shoot our guns.  I had never been to a gun show before and was not all that excited to go.  I am not comfortable around guns but Lonnie was raised around them and likes having them.  A few years ago all of his guns (most were given to him by his dad) were stolen.  Since then he has wanted to sort of rebuild his small collection.  The gun show turned out to be very interesting.  It is very safe.  They have zip ties on all of the guns so the triggers can't even be pulled and all the guns that are brought in by patrons are emptied and zip tied.  That made me feel better.  Anyway, then we went and shot the few guns that we have.  I have only shot them once before so I was a bit nervous.  It turned out to be super fun!  I like knowing how to shoot in case I ever need too (hope not!).

We went to see Silver Linings Playbook.  We were going to do something outside but it was pouring rain the day of our date.  We had been wanting to see a few more of the Academy Award nominated films so to the movies we went.  We both really liked this movie.  There were a few times I was thinking ok...on with it.  But all in all it was great.  Sometimes it was even hard to watch.  It was the kind of movie that you are still thinking about days later.  Good.  

We go all out at the movies.  Popcorn, hot dogs, drinks, and candy!  

He took me to the driving range.  I haven't hit golf balls in like 20 years.  That makes me sound old.  We had a great time.  He used to golf a lot so he was trying to teach me how to hit the ball.  After a while I got the hang of it.  

These dates have been so much fun and I can't wait for our next one.  We missed a few weeks with all of the IVF stuff going on.  He is already planning a few for when the weather warms up and I have a few in mind as well.  I feel like I am dating my husband again..almost like it was back in the beginning.  Excited to see him on our date...even though I see him everyday...it is different.  We can focus on each other and, most importantly, HAVE FUN TOGETHER!