Artsy

Photo courtesy of khunaspix@freedigitalphoto

Let's get a little artsy for this date.  How about visiting the Menil Collection?  This is a great Art Museum with many different collections. Making art accessible to others is vital to the Menil mission, for this reason, no admission is charged, and all public programs are free.  Check out the website here, https://www.menil.org  for more information on exhibits, events, collections, etc.

Relationship Reconnection:

The power of empathy is key to a strong relationship.  Empathy requires compassion and compassion builds a bond.  This bond is what holds a relationship together.  One way to practice empathy is to give genuine attention when our spouse is speaking.  When you are genuinely listening, you are focusing on them and taking action to truly understand them.  Listen without focusing on your own response.  Truly listen.

Fall in Love, with This Questionnaire

Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Okay, so you aren’t really going to fall in love with the questionnaire, but hopefully be more in love with your spouse. A study was done to explore intimacy levels between two strangers. During this study couples had a list of questions to ask and answer. They rated their intimacy level with their fellow participant before and after the questionnaire. Many couples rated their intimacy levels higher after engaging in the questionnaire together. It takes 20-30 minutes to ask each other these questions. It is a great way to spend time together, and get to know each other all over again.

Here is the link to the questions: 36 Questions

Service

This date night is a little different then the regular. This date requires service and selflessness. Together, you and your spouse will do random acts of kindness all over town. Even the littlest things can make a big impact in someone’s life. I have compiled a list that might be something you and your spouse would like to do together.  

• Leave kind notes
• Bake cookies for the neighbors
•   Visit the old folk’s home
•   Mow your neighbor’s lawn or rake their leaves

There are several things that can be done to help your community and neighbors. You will be surprised how great it feels to help others.

Relationship Reconnection:

Before, during, after, or whatever floats your boat, Try to know what is happening in your partner’s world. Sometimes we get so caught up with our own lives, we forget about people that are most important to us. Really communicate by asking each other questions and truly reconnect.

Walk This Way

Walk This Way

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/spotts-park-houston?select=r2QJccWOSOlOZh_QbXrl-g

What’s a little nature without a little city? We live in Houston after all. Spotts Park is the perfect blend. Trees and grasses as far as the eye can see with a wonderful metropolitan backdrop. From the north entrance of the park there is a paved walking trail that measures one mile in distance.

You and you sweetie can lace us your tennis and “walk this way”. Take your iPod/MP3/etc with you for your r&r.

http://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/Spotts-Park/20265/

Use some free time prior to the date and make a playlist for you sweetie. While you both are strolling Spotts Park holding hands listen to the mix your sweetie has made just for you. Music can express emotion without vocalizing. Music can take you back to your first dance as husband and wife. Music is a powerful tool use it for love.

Biker Babes

Biker Babes

http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/hikeandbike.html

All this date requires is a bike and your babe [and preferably a helmet]. Baldwin Park has a beautifully paved trail for the beach-cruiser in all of us. The entire loop is .32 miles, which means you, and your babe can do way more than one loop around.

This scenic trial is free, and according to yelp reviews is great in the spring with scented trees lining perimeter of the lake.

http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/hikeandbike.html

Bike riding can often make it difficult to communicate since the activity requires energy and often doesn’t place the couple next to each other. Reconnection on this date is going to take a little more effort. Biking on this trail happens in a circular motion; you’re seeing the same scenes over and over [depending upon how many times your loop]. After your ride, express to your partner what you see beauty in every though it happens continuously in a circular motion. The way he makes you breakfast in bed every mother’s day. They way she makes the house smell of gingerbread cookies every Dec. 1^st. The silly/cute rituals he has you participate in when football season starts. The way she picks out the perfect gifts each birthday. Honor the circular beauty of a relationship that last years and years.

Build A Fort

Some nights it's nice to have a date night inside your own home, and sometimes it is necessary.  Make this date night special by building a fort together.  Take time building an elaborate fort together and more importantly have fun!  Once your fort is built, put on your favorite movie and cuddle up close together.  

Relationship Reconnection: 

Turn toward each other.  Take the time to massage your spouse and make them feel how much you appreciate and love them. Show them don't tell them.  

Touch Down

Photo Courtesy of vectorolie at freedigitalphotos.net

Stay at Home Date

It's football season, how about a game night at home?  Cheer on your favorite team and share some stadium foods too.  Hot dogs, nachos, whatever is your thing.  Root and cheer and enjoy your time together.

Relationship Reconnection:

After the game is over, talk about ways you have cheered each other on through the years.  Encouragement strengthens marriages and remembering these times of support can help you reconnect.

Lights Out

Photo Courtesy of Marin at Freedigitalphotos.net

Stay at home date #4

Blackout is the theme of this date.  Light a candle or start a fire in the fireplace.  Turn off all the lights and all electronics too.  Snuggle up and tell ghost stories, or just chat.  Of course sharing a yummy treat is always encouraged.


Relationship Reconnection:

The key to this date is just spending some quite down time alone.  No distractions allowed.  Talking and snuggling are great for reconnecting.  Talk about hopes and dreams.  Looking forward to things in the future together will strengthen your relationship. 

Rise and Shine

Photo Courtesy of Manostphoto at freedigitalphotos.net

Stay at home date #2

Now, all dates don't have to be in the evening.  This is an early morning, before the kids are awake, date.  Bundle up with a cup of hot cocoa or hot apple cider in hand and watch the sun rise together.  It's an amazing sight to see the day just beginning with the one you love.

Relationship Reconnection:

While the sun is rising, talk about things that are on each of your bucket lists for the Holiday season.  Make some plans together to be able to mark some of these off.  Making plans and accomplishing things together is a great way to feel a continual connection.

A Recipe For Success

Do you ever feel like it's challenging with kids to get out and go on a date.  Well, how about a stay at home date?  I've got five fun and free stay at home dates for you.

Photo Courtesy of Mister GC at Freedigitalphotos.net

Stay at home date #1:
Fall is in the air. How about try your hand at some fall baking?  What's not to love about the smells of pumpkin and spices? Bake up something sweet together and then share the treat.  If you need some inspiration, cruise pinterest together for a mouthwatering recipe.

Relationship Reconnection:

While you're baking up some sweet treats, do a little flirting, touching, and cuddling.  A little physical sweetness can go a long way in sparking that flame and reconnecting.

A Work of Art

Photo courtesy of artur84 at freedigitalphotos.net

If you want to see a mixture of talent, head on over to Kingspoint Mullet, Houston's graffiti mecca.  Street artists from all over come and create their masterpieces.  Kingspoint is literally dripping with paint in thousands of different colors.  It's open to he public most days.  For more information, you can visit them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kingspointGraffiti

Relationship Reconnection:

Now it's time to just be present and spend some quality fun time together. Ask each other if you were an artist and could draw something to depict our relationship, what would it look like?  Enjoy each others explanations and company. Understanding each others views of your relationship is a great way to reconnect.

Let's Time Travel

Let’s face it, you and your spouse are very different! We are just not wired the same. Sometimes we may think, why does my spouse have such a different viewpoint then I do on, money, sports, dating, time management, work, etc.?  Sometimes we have to put ourselves in our spouse shoes to understand understanding of certain topics. Let’s go back in time and see where our spouse has came from!

Option 1: If you live somewhat close to the houses you and your spouse grew up in, take a trip together and look at your old house. While you are there, talk about your memories there and what life was like in the house. This may give you and understanding where they have come from and why your spouse has different viewpoints.

Option 2: If you have them, watch home videos of each other growing up. Share with each other memories of what it was like growing up with your family. This may give you and your spouse understanding where each other have come from and different viewpoints.

Relationship Reconnection:

After you are either watching home videos, or visiting the homes you and your spouse grew up, talk about each other’s memories and thoughts on how you grew up. Share what was the number one thing that you learned growing up in your family with each other.

This might be an “AHA” or “No Wonder” experience for both you and your spouse. This will help you find understanding and empathy for each other. Embrace the differences between you and your spouse, they make your marriage fun and unique!