Love and Marriage: A Year of Dates- February

As we say hello to March and good bye to February, all I can say is ...good riddance. It was the coldest month we've had historically since the 1800's. And while it was bone chilling cold inside and out (our furnace was out for a few days), we tried to turn up the romance for our date night this month. This month's date night did happen on Valentine's Day and while it was not exactly what I had planned, it was still sweet just the same.

The Plan: A Spa Night for Two
We were supposed to have a nice, relaxing night at home and I was going to put my Esthetician skills to use and break out the chocolate fondue. But, instead we had a romantic candlelight dinner for 4. The kids joined us and were so excited about it that it made me happy to see their glowing eyes. Plus, my hubby had fried up some seafood, I had my glass of wine and was in total relaxation mode.

I didn't take any picks because I was so relaxed I chose to be in my robe all day. I did make a couple of Man Baskets (one for hubby and another one my mom purchased from me).

Since our original date night didn't go exactly as planned, we had an impromptu date the following Friday. It worked out because the kids were out on a too cold to go to school day. We went to dinner and a step show that my church was having for their college weekend. It took me back to when I was that age and it was cool to just do something out of the norm.

Like I said before, having a monthly date night is about having fun and getting out of the day to day rut of family, work, kids, repeat. It keeps the lines of communication open and helps remind you of what attracted you to each other and why you got married in the first place. Don't miss out on the opportunity to enjoy each other's company.

What did you and your mate do for Valentine's Day? Until next time.

Forever loving my B.A.D.D. Kids (and my Husband),
Rhonda

Love and Marriage: A Year of Dates- January

I had got the idea a couple of years ago from The Dating Divas blog to give to my husband as a gift, a year of dates. I planned out a date for each month, alternating out on the town dates and home dates and even bought gift cards for some of them. I put it in a really cute envelope with a picture of us on it and explained to him that since I had essentially done all the planning, all he had to do was pick the date we would go out and execute.

Well, our year of dates never happened. Why? Let's just say that whole leading the horse to water metaphor is definitely true. So after a couple of years, yes years of sparadic date nights and unfulfilled expectations, I decided to take it in my own hands and make date night happen for real this time.

How am I going to make it happen? By not giving him any other choice. By using the art of persuasion. To be fair I'll only suggest the weekends that he does not have to work. But I will be cute, we will have fun, and we will spend QUALITY time together.

Here's the date card:

So how did we spend January's date night? We kept it simple and started the year off with dinner and a movie.

Where we ate: Ruby Tuesday 

What we saw: The Wedding Ringer

First, let me say that my first pick will always be a comedy or action movie. And this was a great date night movie. In addition to the hilarity that is Kevin Hart, there was an underlining message to the film that should have a lot of couples saying "hmmm" at the end of the night.

Me and my hubby had some good food an some good laughs, so I would rate this date night a total success.

Until February's date night. Hint: we will be celebrating the month of love.

Forever loving my B.A.D.D. Kids (and my husband),

Rhonda