Date Nights

Thanks to a sweet friend who has encouraged us to keep putting effort into our marriage- and keep it from becoming stagnant, we have been having regular date nights. They aren't usually anything spectacular to the onlooker, but they are special to us--- because we are together... and both putting effort into our marriage.

Last night, we bought a new movie for the children, let them get some McDonalds for dinner, and set them up in the girls' room upstairs to watch it on the laptop.  They also got a special treat of puffcorn and sweetened tea.  (May not sound like much of a treat to YOU... but they LOVE it!)

Then I made Fettuccine Alfredo and salad for my husband and I. We also had one of my favorite wines, Arbor Mist's Blackberry. 

My husband had planned ahead and with his technological know-how (something I'm clueless on), he somehow was able to play the music from our wedding 12 years ago through his phone.  That alone made the evening extra special for me.  Among his busy schedule he took the time to do something special for us... it isn't just *I* putting effort into the date nights... he enjoys doing so as well.  Which in turn, makes me feel loved.

Now anyone who knows my husband knows he is a hopeless romantic.  When we were first together, he would leave notes for me all the time, buy me little gifts and hide them throughout the house.  I'd always have fresh cut flowers to adorn my table, chocolates, etc.  He doesn't cringe at watching chick-flicks with me (even though he'd much prefer a man-flick...)  He thinks nothing of rubbing my shoulders, or back.... or even feet!

He's much more romantic than I am... and in some ways- I curtailed his romantic nature by being complacent.  I'm not much of a flower gal.  Don't care for little gifts, etc.  (But I *LOVE* his backrubs! LOL!)  So, as I showed little appreciation, he stopped doing things as often.  I didn't even notice because I was fine with the status-quo.  I hadn't realized how much we had lost... or at least misplaced, until we began to put effort again into our marriage.

It is fun to see those things beginning to blossom again.  And, I am now craving those things.

Anyway... I have been enjoying our "dates"...and look forward to many more adventures.  (I'll update now and then on how it's going.)