77377 Quality Time on Faulkey Gully Trail

          Learn about Quality Time, one of the 5 love languages defined by Gary Chapman. No, quality time does not mean sitting and watching TV together! It means giving your undivided attention to your spouse by carrying on a meaningful conversation, practicing good listening skills, and limiting distractions. You can spend quality time together while doing an activity as long as your relationship and couple interaction are more important than the activity itself. Read more about quality time here.

Image courtesy of hcp4.net

          On this date, practice the love language of quality time as you enjoy a walk or a bike ride on Faulkey Gully Hike and Bike Trail. You can find the trail on Google Maps here. Spending quality time together, especially if it’s one of your primary love languages, will create a stronger sense of togetherness in your marriage and intensify your friendship. Make sure to turn your phones on silent to limit distractions!

Image courtesy of hcp4.net

          Your spouse should be the focus on this date. Enjoy the conversation, respond to each other, hold hands, be a good listener, and validate your spouse’s feelings. Talk about how your week went and how you both are doing mentally, physically, and emotionally. 

Watch a video that introduces all 5 of the love languages here

Take the love language quiz at http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/

Website Faulkey Gulley Hike & Bike Trail: http://www.hcp4.net/Community/Parks/FaulkeyGully

77377 De-Stress at Guadalupe’s Tex & Mex

lupesmx.com

 

lupesmx.com

          If you are looking for authentic Mexican food at a decent price, Guadalupe’s Tex & Mex is the place for you! Try the pork enchiladas or chicken and sour cream enchiladas. They also have fajitas, tacos and a variety of other Tex Mex style dishes. Happy hour is from 4-6pm. Enjoy the large outdoor patio in the back if the weather is right. You’ll be pleased with the check total and the fresh, authentic food. Taking time to enjoy a meal without having to cook can take stress away from a busy lifestyle!
  

lupesmx.com

 

         Another way to lower your stress level is to practice what John Gottman calls a stress-reducing conversation! This means having a 20 minute chat about how your day went. Having these type of conversations in your marriage help manage stresses that come into your life. Learning how to manage your stress and trying to keep everyday pressure and tension from spilling over into your relationship can help you keep a solid marriage. The purpose of this daily conversation is to handle stress OUTSIDE of your marriage- not to deal with problems within your relationship.  

Keep these pointers in mind as you chat:

1. Take turns. Give one another the chance to talk for ten or fifteen minutes uninterrupted, even if it's all complaints (but not complaints about each other).
2. Don't give unsolicited advice. Don't play mechanic and try to fix the problem. Simply listen to understand.
3. Show genuine interest. While your spouse talks, stay focused on him or her. You can let him or her know you're truly present by nodding, smiling, grimacing, asking for details, etc.
4. Communicate your understanding. Let your partner know you understand. Show empathy with expressions such as, "Wow, it sounds like that was really painful."
5. Take your spouse's side. Be supportive, even if his or her perspective seems unreasonable.
6. Express a "we're-a-team" attitude. Let your spouse know that you're in all situations and dilemmas together. He or she is not alone. Express solidarity.
7. Express affection. Hold, touch, and embrace your mate. Tell him or her "I love you" often.
8. Validate emotions. Respond to your partner in ways that confirm his or her feelings are important to you. For example, "I can see why you're so upset." "That would have annoyed me too." "No wonder you're sad." 

Source: Stress Reducing Conversation

Check out Guadalupe’s Tex & Mex at: http://www.lupesmx.com/

77010 Tour Houston by bike

The best way to see the town you live in, is by bike! Grab two bikes, or a tandem, and go for the ride of your life! There are many bike trails to ride on as well, around 300 miles worth and there is bound to be something you see that grabs your attention! You can even try out the Houston B-Cycle bike program as you hit the road for adventure!

Explore your town by bike and find ways to have a new adventure. 

While you are out on your date analyze your health style - if you need to be more active make goals to achieve this. What can exercise and a healthy life-style do for you personally? What about your marriage? Check out different ways to exercise and stay healthy, if you have children look for ways to all exercise together and spend time as a family as well. Try to make these goals become more of a habit and an activity that can be done as a whole family, and even individually. 

It pays off to be healthy!

Tour Houston by bike: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/parks-and-outdoors/on-a-roll/

77010 Architecture Tour

Explore the past of the city with the art deco of the city hall to the modern display of the Menil Collection. Within this city there are many structures that people can visit and learn about how the buildings were built. Take the tour around the town and see the buildings that have shaped this metropolis throughout the decades!

What about this experience has been encouraging to you?

What are some other ways you might like to be encouraged in the future?

Is there a certain way you can learn how to search for new sites to visit on a future date?

What does exploring the town together help you to accomplish?

Architecture Tour: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/historic-sites/architecture-tour/

77010 Heritage Arts

Learn about the heritage of the town, and experience diversity at the same time. There are 90 languages spoken in this part of Houston, and  with a large melting pot of cultures there are multicultural arts to see. 

It’s a great way to experience something new and be educated at the same time!  

While you take the time to venture out and learn about the town that you are living in, explore the culture and see how the roots of the town bind a couple together. 

What did you learn about your town that you didn't know before this date?

Heritage Arts: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/museums/heritage-arts/

77204 Houston Rodeo

Pull out your cowboy boots and chaps, and saddle up to have the ride of your life! The rodeo is entertaining with lots of great food, and excitement to keep you exhilarated the whole time. From bull riding, to lasso throwing, there’s nothing quite like a rodeo, especially for a date!

Take some time to use these helpful talking points:

How willing are you to venture out and try new things?

What did you learn to strengthen your relationship?

What other sights do you want to visit on another date?

Houston Rodeo: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/around_rodeo/

77550 Galveston Bay

You don’t always need the rush of the city life to have a fun date night. Try having some fun on the water and experience what it is like to try new activities. You can go jet skiing, parasailing, or even rent a boat and cruise the waters with a romantic picnic on the water!

A relationship that is growing is also moving forward, standing still is not an option. Just like the rapids in the water, there are rapids in life. You can either push up the stream or float downwards, each person in the relationship needs to choose to row upstream. This is best achieved together while you keep learning new skills to build a great marriage. 

What do you discover as you try to row together?

What surprises you the most?

Can you think of different rapids in your life that have taken unpredictable routes?

Have some fun on the water: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/parks-and-outdoors/fun-on-the-water/

77010 Golf Course

There are more than 165 courses that were designed so that a mild winter climate would be great for all Texas residents can enjoy golf! There are beautiful views, and the landscaping was done by novelty architects. There are 8 courses with descriptions that explain what to expect when you go to play golf on that course. It is very informational and also very fun at the same time!

How can you both become interested in this topic?

What new insights did you gain?

How will this new knowledge help you?

Golf Course: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/golf-courses/linking-up/

77565 Kemah Boardwalk

This boardwalk is 42 acres long, there is entertainment that you can enjoy at the megaplex. There is fine seafood dining, you can also shop along all of the stores on the boardwalk. There is live musical entertainment, and even amusement rides!

On this particular date it is important that a couple tries to nourish their relationship.

As you are walking around ask each other:

What is your favorite color?

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Where is most romantic place to be?

To keep your romance alive what can you each do?

You don't need to spend a lot of money, but as you enjoy the entertainment, you do need to rekindle your love!

Kemah Boardwalk: http://houston.about.com/od/landmarksattractions/a/Kemah-Boardwalk.htm

Johnson Space Center

When you come here you can witness real life astronauts in training, feel what a moon rock is like, and land a virtual rocket! There are various exhibits, they include:

• Astronaut Gallery: featuring the world’s best collection of spacesuits and some portraits of every U.S. astronaut who has flown in space. 
• The Feel of Space: a realistic simulation of an astronaut aboard a space station. Starship Gallery: collections of several different space artifacts including the Apollo 17. 
• Blast Off Theater: experience the big rush of a rocket launch! 
• Count Dooku’s Sky Bike: attempt to pedal you way 360 degrees around a 20-foot inverted circle.

On this date make a commitment to learn more about the different phenomenons of science. It is important that couples keep leaning and developing their knowledge, and what better a way to do it than this? Learn about something that is intriguing and will help you to connect on common interests. What is it that draws you together? Even if interests are not the same, couples can still take time to learn why it is important to the other. That type of mutual understanding connects two people more deeply.

Holocaust Museum

This Museum aims to educate about the Holocaust and the genocides in a way to teach the dangers of prejudice and apathy. It is very educational to come here and learn more. There are guided tours and permanent exhibits which include:

• Bearing Witness
•  A Community Remembers: visual display of the beginning of Nazis and the progression from being segregated all the way to concentration camps and extermination.
• WWII Holocaust Railcar: car used to carry millions of Jews to their death.
• Danish Rescue Boat: boat used to save over 7,200 Jews from Nazi Germany.
• Family Memorial Room: room dedicated to reflection and mediation, contains a three-part work of art- the Wall of Remembrance, the Wall of Tears and the Wall of Hope. There is also and educational center, and the library holds over 4,000 titles related to the Holocaust, it’s extraordinary!

A couple can take the time to learn about their own personal history. If there is a family member that has experienced these things back then, or if you are able to dig into family history, learning about the stories that bind families together is another way a couple stays together. 

Battleship Texas

Visitors are able to board and even tour this battleship called the USS Texas. It is one of the longest serving naval vessels in United States history. Today it is the only surviving vessel to have served in both World War I and World War II. When you come here you are provided with educational facts, history, and fun! If you want to get really adventurous you could also book an overnight stay!

Learn about the navy, if you have any family members involved ask if you can interview them by asking them some questions in order to learn more. Being informed and staying involved with the world we are living in and a part of, keeps us aware of our surrounds and how we can better be prepared to serve. As a couple figure out ways you can do volunteer work or service opportunities to give back to the world you live in. 

San Jacinto Monument

The San Jacinto Monument stands 15 feet taller than the Washing Monument! Come here to learn more about the monument, when it was completed, and why iit was created. There is also The San Jacinto Museum of History which is housed at the base of the monument where you can explore and get more educational facts and displays to learn of the past history.

Come visit the country’s tallest war memorial, and see the view for yourself! Learn about your roots or find a story from family that have served in a war. If you have no family that has, you can get educated through looking up stories and reading them together. Each person can find one that is valuable to them personally. As you share them, ask what stood out to them, or what values they feel are the most important to have in a relationship. 

77002 Astro's Game

Go to an Astro’s Game: http://www.yelp.ca/biz/minute-maid-park-houston?osq=Fun+Things+To+Do+On+Date+Night

The stadium is presented in such a way that anyone who goes to watch a ballgame here will be impressed! Plus, this stadium is a converted train depot! Tickets are decently priced and you can still get good seats for an affordable amount of money. Enjoy the ballgame food, wear your best sports gear, and have date night complete with watching the Astro’s play ball! 

Before the game, pick a player and learn about their history that led them to where they are now in the sporting industry. During the game follow that player and watch how they interact. Are they a team player? After the game you and your spouse can take the time to figure out if they are able to work together like a team. If not, strive for the next week to be more in tune and work equally to solve conflict. There is no "I" in team!

77054 Houston Texans

The Texans are the NFL’s 32nd franchise, and they became the first NFL team in 41 years to win their expansion debut! All sports fan will have have fun watching a game and eating the food!

Pretend you are the coach-

what plays would you do next?

what plays do you not agree with from the other team

are the refs being fair? 

If you were a player on the team how would you know what play to do? 

You don't always agree with what goes on in the game, so why not try figuring it out together! This way you can have some time to talk together. Is everything in life supposed to be fair, why or why not?

Houston Texans: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/Houston-Texans/19710/0/

77002 Houston Rockets

The Rockets are national winners of the NBA championships as they compete in the western conference. Basketball fans will not be disappointed when they come to watch a game! Wear your best attire and enjoy a sports date night for an evening!

Have fun and talk about the game. What parts are most exciting and if you were a player on the team what plays would you make? Be interactive with each other and enjoy the time you have together.

Houston Rockets: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/Houston-Rockets/19685/0/

77003 Houston Dynamo

Get tickets to the professional soccer club and watch as they compete in major league soccer. Also they are one of the top professional leagues in the United States! If you and your spouse love soccer then come here to watch a game to remember!

If the other person doesn't know the rules, take the time to explain and allow them to ask questions. Teach them about the best player. Have some fun pretending like you are both playing the game, try to predict what will happen next and see if you end up right. Be playful and have fun! You don't just want to sit there quietly, enjoy one another, and don't forget to hold hands.

Houston Dynamo: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/Houston-Dynamo/19833/0/

77004 Buffalo Soldier Museum

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum was founded in 2000 by a Vietnam veteran and African American military historian, Captain Paul J. Matthews. This is a National Museum and they are proud to share its history with the public and all those who choose to come visit. Come take a tour to learn more! Also, this is the only museum dedicated to primarily preserving the legacy and honor of the African-American soldiers, in the United States of America.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the past and how it connects us to the future. After touring, each take a turn to ask one another what they think will help them to sustain their future together. Write out your list of the top 5 most important things that can help you both achieve this same goal.

Buffalo Soldier Museum: http://gotexas.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gotexas&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buffalosoldiermuseum.com%2F

77002 Bayou Place

There are countless amounts of dining options to choose from depending on what you are in the mood for during the evening. There is a movie theater which features art and indie films not typically shown in a larger movie theater. The Bayou Music Center is a music venue that provides a fun concert experience. Thy even feature 100 shows annually! The entertainment in this part of downtown Houston, has a total of 130,000 square feet of fun ready to enjoy!

Each person can pick an activity that they want to do on the date. For the rest of the night take turns picking the next activity. These activities don't need to cost a lot either, you could take a stroll down the streets, or grab dessert. You don't need to spend a lot in order to enjoy one another.

Bayou Place: http://houston.about.com/od/landmarksattractions/a/BayouPlace.htm

77833 Blue Bell Factory

Learn how creamy ice cream is made at the Blue Bell Factory, take a tour and then you can sample some of the ice cream afterwards or take some home with you! There is also a farm that you can visit on their grounds as well. If two people love ice cream then learn how the flavors are made!

Be creative and think of fun new ways to interact while on your date. Don't just do the same old things each time, spice it up, be playful, and even flirt a little. When you are able to take that time to be more adventurous your love life will have more spark added to it! Try extending this for a week as well and see what happens. Talk about it and see if trying new experiences enriches your life.

Visit the site here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-bell-creameries-brenham

77377 Taekwondo at Icon Martial Arts Academy

          Kwanjanim (Grand Master) John Cantu is the owner and founder of this Taekwondo school which opened in 1988. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that combines self-defense with exercise.

Iconmaa.com

Iconmaa.com

           Try out a free intro course at this martial arts academy where you can learn some basics in Taekwondo plus some self-defense techniques. Use the “contact us” page on their website to ask about an intro course. If you don’t want to do the course, you can ask to just come and watch.

When two people start a relationship, they bring with them unique upbringings, cultural backgrounds, and personal philosophies. Sometimes, the best you can do is to agree to disagree on certain subjects. Don't let your differences take away from your relationship. Instead, celebrate the positive qualities your spouse has and the things that first attracted you to your companion.

After your experience, consider the cultures you grew up in and answer these questions below.

1. Where and when were you born?
2. How many times did you move while you were growing up? Where was your favorite place to live?
3. What cultural traditions did you have in your family or origin?
    * What type of food did you most often eat?
    * Did you belong to a religious denomination?
    * What kind of clothes were you expected to wear?
    * What TV programs did you watch?
    * Was there a favorite sport in your family?
    * What were holidays like?
    * How did you celebrate birthdays?
    * What did you do for fun?
4. Have you carried any of these traditions from your family of origin into your current marriage/family?
5. Is there a new tradition you would like to start in your family?
6. What's a characteristic that you love about your spouse?

Website: http://www.iconmaa.com/

77377 Whose Team are You on?

Premier-baseball.com

          Watch a baseball game or tournament at the Premier Baseball fields. The ages of kids playing are 6 and up. Look at the schedule online to determine when the tournaments are. You might feel like you need to know someone who is playing before you can watch the game but don’t let that stop you from going! Besides, no one will even know that you are a stranger to all the players. This can be a fun date and it’s different than your typical dinner and a movie.

           Both of you choose a team that you think will win and cheer for that team the whole time. Make some type of bet to make it more exciting. Maybe the winner gets to choose a 10 minute service from their spouse (such as a back scratch for the husband, a body massage, or painted toe nails for the wife.) Grab some concession treats or bring your own if you’re allowed and simply enjoy the game!

Premier-Baseball.com

Although this type of mini competition is simply for fun and games, being married means you are on the same team. You should be cheering each other on, practicing to become a better spouse, and having lots of fun together. Don't let your marriage become a competition. Being on opposite teams only brings contention and heart ache.

Talk about these questions after the games:

1. What place did your team come in?
2. Why did you choose that team? Why did you think they would win?
3. What made the winning team successful? What made them different from the other teams?
4. Did you play sports when you were growing up? What is your favorite sport?
5. Have you ever been injured while playing a sport? How did it happen?
6. What was your favorite part about this date?
7. What does it mean to be on the same team in your marriage? How can you be better at this?

Website: http://www.premier-baseball.com/

77070 Skydiving

Skydiving

The idea

Why not check something off your bucket list?  For the adventurous couple this can be something very exciting, fun and liberating from mundane activities.  Skydiving Houston Texas, has great options for tandem diving, and advance training, so that you can learn to skydive solo.

Before your date:

• check out the prices- with Skydiving Houston Texas, there are often discount, special offers, or group rates available.  So do a little pre-planning to save a little money.
• Wear comfortable clothes
• Arrange childcare if needed.
• Bring Snacks

On your Date

Technically your date should start as soon as you leave the house.  So, in the car, get each other pumped for the excitement.  Listen to some classic rock n roll, or whatever music gets you riled-up. Some things to talk about are:

• What is the most adrenaline pumping thing you have ever done?
• What’s more exciting to you? Jumping out of the plain, or bragging rights?
• Are you most scared for the jump or the land?  
•  

What you take away

You will soon see, this isn't meant to be a solo activity.  Every skydiver needs a companion to cheer them on.  This date activity can be applied to marriage.  Life is much more enjoyable when your partner is there cheering you on through your journey together.  And when you can cheer on your spouse, in each other’s endeavors, you gain loyalty and strength. 

77070 Fishing

Fishing

The idea

Fishing gives a couple lots of chatting time.  This is a great chance to reconnect and learn more about each other.  Take advantage of your close proximity to Marshall Lake.

Before your Date

You can make this as involved as you would like.  On one extreme, you can simply walk near the lake looking for fish.  And on the other extreme, you can rent a local boat, and commit yourselves to catching a fish.

• fishing polls can vary in range of price.  Find something that is compatible to your price range.
• Don’t forget the bate and  a fishing license.
• Pack a sack dinner to share.

While on the Date

At some point on our adventure, take a break from your pursue to try and catch fish and snuggle, maybe while the sun is setting. There will be plenty of time to chat, so bring a list of get to know you questions for one another.  

What you take away

Down time as a couple is important for unwinding and relaxing.  Fishing may not be your typical relaxing activity, but you might be surprised how relaxing it is to be out on the water soaking in nature, even if you don’t catch a fish.  You will feel rejuvenated, maybe even more so than watching your favorite TV show together.  You will have plenty of time to chat and reconnect while enjoying your scenery. 

Enjoy the Stars

If you have a kiddie pool laying around at home, or one that you could borrow from a friend or neighbor, this may be a fun date to try! Clean out that old kiddie pool and fill it with blankets, pillows, and all things cozy. Snuggle up and watch the stars! This works best if you have an inflatable pool but any would work. If you get the timing right you may even see a shooting star, planet, or other galactic feature! For a list of meteor showers and their dates, you can visit:
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors

77002 Waugh Drive Bat Colony

This would be quite a site assuming you aren't afraid of bats! Each evening at sunset about 250,000 bats fly out of their cave in search for food. These Mexican free-tailed bats call Houston their home year round. This sight is amazing and can't be beat! Stop by on any night to view this amazing sight and learn more about Houston's natural wildlife. For more information you can visit the city's webpage dedicated to these bats at:
http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/batpage.html

77030 Houston Museum of Natural Science

This is the best spot for a fun date night, while also being able to be educated at the same time! There are special exhibitions that they rotate through with new ones. Currently, they have (Samurai: The way of the warrior and Faberge: from a snowflake to an iceberg) There is a planetarium, giant IMAX screen which allows you to select four different clips, a butterfly center, along with 14 permanent exhibitions to tour as well. There are many things to come and experience here, let your brains be filled with more knowledge!

Take some time to learn about a science topic while you are there and learn about the significance it has in the world around you. The next week after this date become more in tune to this science topic and how it impacts your life. Ask each other, what did you learn?

Museum of Natural Science, Houston TX: http://www.hmns.org

77005 Houston Museum of Fine Art

Come learn more about art with your significant other! This art museum offers cultural adventures that you can experience with two big gallery buildings, along with a sculpture garden, visitor's center, library, movie theater, gift shop, cafe, and two house museums. There is bound to be something fun for each you to do while you visit. Look at all the art and pick one that intrigues you the most. Show your spouse, and explain why you picked it, and what impacts you from this piece of work. When you go back home look up the history of the artist or the paining and learn about the roots. What does this tell you about your own origin?

Museum of Fine Art, Houston TX: http://www.mfah.org

77373 Top Golf

Top Golf is the best spot for a more expensive date night with your loved one. Try something new by experiencing the competition of this sport by challenging your date to a game of golf while you eat dinner. You can come here year round, as it’s sure to impress you while it’s all indoors! If one person doesn't like golf, make this an opportunity to try something new and experience new activities together. At the end of the date surprise your date with treating them to their favorite dessert and picking out a date for the next time. Make a goal to try something new with each new date!

77380 Frisbee Golf in the Woodlands

This game is also called disk golf which uses a version of a frisbee (discs) and individual players take turns throwing the flying disc into a basket or a target. You go around the whole course and the object of the game is to have the fewest amount of throws of the disc. It’s great fun!

At each hole try and throw the frisbee in a fun way (under the leg, spinning around, while standing backwards, or with your eyes closed) have the other person be the guide and tell you where to throw the frisbee and see how well you can communicate together. The key is to avoid conflict and work together to get the frisbee to the proper goal point. 

There is no winner in this game, you both have to reach the end together!

Frisbee Golf park: http://woodlandsevents.com/activities/frisbee-golf

77380 Taste of the Town

This event showcases the local area restaurants and businesses that are apart of the food industry. There are a countless number of restaurants and beverage distributors which participate in the event. There really is a taste for everyone here! You can sample a wide selection of tastes and find delight with your loved one!

Delve into your senses and let your taste buds explain some of the emotions you feel while you eat particular foods. Which ones let you feel happy, which ones don't taste the greatest? All of these emotions that come while tasting explain how we can feel. Take the time and ask each other how you feel and figure out what emotions they feel most frequently. Try to work on being more in tune to the many senses that we can feel on a daily basis.

To purchase your tickets visit the site: 

http://woodlandsevents.com/events/annual/taste-of-the-town