77055 Rock Climbing

Texas Rock Gym located at 1526 Campbell Rd. is a great place to go on a date.  All levels are welcome from beginning to advanced.  Learn a new hobby with your spouse!

Honey Brioche Bread

When you are done climbing, drive over to Tous les Jours bakery.  They use all natural ingredients and you are sure to find some yummy to eat.  Check out the menu on their website it is amazing!

Rock Climbing takes a lot of trust in the person belaying you.   As you think back to your climbing experience, think about trust in your marriage.  How important is trust?  What can you both do to increase the trust in your marriage?

77008 City Bike Tour

Bayou City Bike Tours offers two different tours to choose from. The first is a tour of downtown Houston and the second is The Heights culture tour.  Whichever one you choose you are bound to have a great time.  See Houston in a different light and learn a bit of history as well.  They provide the bikes all you need to do is ride them!

When you get back from the tour try out the restaurant Down House located at 1801 Yale St.  They feature locally sourced cuisine. It is important to get to know your spouse and ask some questions that you may not know the answers to.  During dinner ask each other the following questions:

If you could bring any former leader from the past back to run our country today, who would it be? Why?

The electricity goes out for 24 hours. How do you spend your time?

  You just bought a new hat. What does it look like?

77055 Indoor Skydiving

Ever wanted to try skydiving but were too scared?  How about indoor skydiving? Your adventure awaits  at iFly indoor Skydiving.   iFly is located at 9540 Katy Fwy.  Make sure you call ahead and book a flight time.  Any age and ability are welcome.  Sahring something a bit scary with your spouse will not only create great memories but will bring you closer together.

Head over to 1441 Wirt Rd. and stop by WanFu Cafe for some delectable Chinese food. While you are enjoying your food ask each other the following questions:

What is one of the most adventurous things you've ever done?

 If you could store up only one hour’s worth of memory in your mind, which hour of our marriage would you want to remember?

If we could just drop what we're doing and go do something fun, what would it be?

77375 Tomball Famers Market

The Tomball Farmers Market (205 W Main St) is open every Saturday 9am – 1pm, year round.  Farmers Markets are fun because there is so much fresh produce, and you get to support local farmers.  They even have things like jewelry and homemade pasta and pastries for sale. Make a fun date out of it by searching for a new recipe that sounds good that would include some of the fresh produce you can purchase at the farmers market.  Go enjoy walking around the market together as you pick up the ingredients for your meal and then head home and cook it together. 

While cooking and eating dinner, make a list of the top 5 things you would both love to do for your next dates.  Write down your list and schedule what days you will go on these dates.  Some of the hardest things about going on regular dates with your spouse is thinking of what to do and fitting it into your schedules.  This way you will be prepared for your next 5 dates and already have it scheduled into your calendars! 

77057 Nu Snowflake Ice

Try some Nu Snowflake Ice, a Taiwanese treat. It takes 10 hours of preparation and is made without preservatives. You find this fun delicacy at Nu Cafe at 5901 Westheimer Rd. #B1. While you are enjoying this very creative treat, talk about your kiddos. I know, I know, no talking about kids on a date, but for this one it's okay. Ask the following questions:

In your opinion, what makes a great parent?

What are five essential values we want our children to embrace above all others?

Then discuss each of your children and what is going on in their lives, what can you as parents do to help them?

77072 Table Tennis/Ping Pong

Houston Table Tennis Association (7603 Boone Road) has a professional coach which teaches one on one or in groups. They also have a play all day pass for$8. Ping Pong is so fun to play, you might end up laughing and getting some exercise in as well!

Stop by Bambu for a drink or dessert. It is located at 10613 Ballaire Blvd, Unit 150. Try one of their amazing smoothies!

Relationship Reconnection:

While you are enjoying your treats ask each other the following questions:

If ou didn’t have to worry about making a living, what would you most like to do for the rest of your life?

If we could just drop what we’re doing and go do something fun, what would it be?

77301 Geneaology

The Montgomery County Memorial Library System has a genealogy and local history room. It is located at 104 I-45 North (The Central Branch location). They now have Heritage Quest with every name index and all census years. Each of you take a few of your ancestors’ names and look them up.  See if you can find some new information on one or more of them.

Check out Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen for Texas sized portions of fantastic sea food.  18165 I-45 South. Phone: (936) 321-4200

During dinner, consider discussing the following questions:

How do you think your ancestors felt living during the time period they did?

If you could live in any other time period, past or future, what period would you choose and why?

77084 Archery

Grab your spouse and head down to Houston Archery Lessons and Indoor Range.  

Houston Archery Lessons and Indoor Range located at 19407 Park Row #180 has classes and lessons, so if you enjoy your date you might want to sign up for a class to take together.  After the archery range head over to Clay's Restaurant (17717 Clay Rd.) where they feature country style food such as fried chicken and homemade onion rings.

During dinner, consider discussing the following questions:

What practical steps can we take as a couple to “affair-proof” our marriage? 

Make a plan and decide what steps you and your spouse will take to “affair-proof” your marriage. 

77007 Game Time

Get ready to have some healthy competition!  Have each of you choose one of your favorite board games.  Call Star Pizza (77 Harvard) and order dinner.  They not only have yummy pizza, but also salads and pastas as well.  While you are waiting for your food to be delivered get some pillows and blankets and set them up on the floor- or you can play the games on your comfy bed.  

While you are playing the games, talk about your most embarrassing moments. Sharing these embarrassing moments with each other can give you a deeper connection.  It is hard to admit something you feel silly about, but it shows your spouse you trust them.

77339 Create a Souvenir

The Mudpie Company (36 North Main St.) has over 300 ceramics for you to choose from to paint.  This is a great opportunity for you and your spouse to create a unique souvenir.  Prices range from $8 to $65.  Pick out a piece together and design how you will paint it.  After you are finished The Mudpie Company will fire it for you.  It will be ready for pick up in about a week.  This will be a wonderful keepsake for you to remember this special time together.

The Mud Pie Company

While you are painting have each of you think of your favorite memory you shared. Share with each other what the memory was and why it is your favorite.  Include your feelings and thoughts as you share this favorite memory together.  As you share your favorite memories it will bring you closer together.

When you are finished with your masterpiece walk across the street to Texas Sushi Hana for some dinner.  It is located at 9 North Main Street.  While they feature sushi they also have other delicious Japanese cuisine like gyoza and miso soup.  

77380 The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center

Alright, if you are looking for a fun place to getaway for the weekend with your spouse, this place has it all! This resort is hidden away in the Texas Piney Woods (28,000 acres of forest).  This place has so many fun things to do including; a golf course, world-class tennis center, a relaxing spa, fitness center, a huge pool area, and is surrounded by various hiking and biking trails (over 200 miles of it).  They even have fun activities at night like building your own s’mores around their fire pits, or a dive-in movie. 

If you plan your trip during the summer, be sure to check out their enormous pool.  It was rated in the top 10 pool destinations in North America. They have 5 different pools with spas, waterfalls and helix slides.  You can also jump on a tube and hold hands with your spouse as you take a relaxing ride along their 1,005 foot lazy river that winds through the beautiful surrounding woodlands.

The spa offers some time to sit back and relax with your spouse.  They even have couple’s treatment rooms so that you can both relax together as you choose from their various body treatments available. 

Remember, use this get-a-way as an opportunity to get to know your spouse a little better as you leave the rest of life’s worries behind you.  As you sit by the pool, or relaxing in your hotel room take some time to do John Gottman’s Love Map activity.  According to Gottman, having a love map is basically knowing the little things about your spouse.  The small things that are going on in their lives, and knowing those things can have a big impact on the healthiness of a relationship.  It is important to know what your spouse’s hopes and dreams are, what are the things that are bugging them at work, or something they are currently worried about.    Here is a list of some of things you can try to answer about each other that come from Gottman’s Love Map activity.  As you go through and try to answer these questions and learn about each other, your love map with become more extensive and your bond with each other will strengthen.

• Name my two closest friends
• What was I wearing when we first met?
• Name one of my hobbies.
• What stresses am I facing right now?
• Describe in detail what I did today, or yesterday.
• What is my fondest unrealized dream?
• What is one of my greatest fears or disaster scenarios?
• What is my favorite way to spend an evening?
• What is one of my favorite ways to be soothed?
• What is my favorite getaway place?
• What are some of the important events coming up in my life? How do I feel about them?
• What are some of my favorite ways to work out?
• Name one of my major rivals or "enemies."
• What would I consider my ideal job?
• What medical problems do I worry about?
• What was my most embarrassing moment?
• Name one of my favorite novels/movies.
• What is my favorite restaurant?

77389 Water Park

Rob Fleming Aquatic Center

Rob Fleming Aquatic Center (6335 Creekside Forest Drive) features a 500 foot lazy river, two story flume slide, shade umbrellas, and a pool house with concessions.  The two of you can drift in the lazy river or rest under one of the shade umbrellas. Don't forget your sunscreen!

freedigitalphotos.net

When you are all done playing in the sun head over to Crave Cupcakes, 2501 Research Forest Drive, and pick out a cupcake for each other.  Make sure it would be something they would like.  as you are enjoying your cupcakes, use this time to reconnect with each other. Find out what is going on in each other's lives.  Find out how work is going, is she worried about anything- what can you do to help?  Just find out what each other is thinking and feeling.

77030 Outdoor Theatre

Miller Outdoor Theatre

Miller Outdoor Theatre  is located in Hermann Park at 6000Hermann Park Drive. Miller Outdoor Theatre features music, dancing, and other entertainment all for free!  Click here for the full schedule of what is happening.  Grab a blanket, your spouse, and take-out from Fred's Italian Corner located at 2278 W. Holcombe Blvd.  Their strawberry lemonade is recommend and their desserts are all made in house.

Fred's Italian Corner

During this date hold hands.  Holding hands shows your spouse affection, connection, and devotion.  If you have not held hands in awhile it will definitely create some chemistry!  It is important to take some time for more than just a peck on the cheek as you are leaving in the morning.  As you consciously use more affection you will see your marriage improve dramatically.

77375, 77030 and 77373 Houston Ghost Tour

Do you believe in ghosts? Whether you are a believer of the paranormal or a skeptic, a night out on a haunted ghost tour is sure to be a night to remember.  Houston Ghost Tours is known to be one of the best and authentic of any ghost tour company in Texas.  They offer 90 minute walking tours of multiple Texas locations (their most popular are Tomball, Houston, and Old Spring Town) in which your tour guide will show you alleged haunted buildings, sites of ghost sightings, and tell the rich historical history of the town.  Haunted Houston Ghost tours takes pride in being known as one of the most authentic historical ghost tours around.  They are so confident in this, that they will provide guests with their source material if requested.  And if the tour gets a little too spooky, just hold on tight to your spouse and enjoy the time being cuddled up close together. Visit their website for more information and to book a tour!

While these sorts of hauntings can be fun to explore, it is never fun to feel haunted by memories of past.  It seems to me that the things I am most haunted by are things that I said in the heat of the moment that I did not really mean and later regret.  It is really hard to take bad what you said, and we all know how powerful words can be.  They can affect us very deeply, and can really damage a relationship if we are not careful. In fact, Dr. John Gottman (author of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work) gave some great advice on this area.   Dr. Gottman explains that the marriages that last have a 5:1 ratio of positive vs. negative interactions.  In other words, for every negative interaction in a relationship, you should strive to have 5 positive reactions.  So, maybe a good goal is that whenever you find yourself say or do something negative to your spouse, strive to say or do 5 positive things for them.  

77019 Disc Golf

Buffalo Bayou Park, located at 1800-3600 Allen Parkway/Memorial Drive, has a wonderful Disc Golf Course- Jim Mozola Memorial.  So grab your Frisbee and head over there to play.  You will probably get hungry so on your way stop by Vertskebap (1572 W Gray St.) and grab a lunch to go.  Vertskebap is Turkish street food.  You can get lamb, chicken, beef, and falafel. 



While you are enjoying your food at the park set some goals for your marriage you want to complete in the next 6 months or so.  Try one from each of the following categories: Intimacy, Financial, Spiritual, Intellectual, and/or Family.  Make sure you write them down and place them in a well seen place like the bathroom mirror.  Talk about what steps you need to take to accomplish your goals.design a schedule of when you want each step accomplished.

77388 Dance Lessons

Image Courtesy of
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Want to learn to dance? Patricia’s Dance Lessons, 5220 FM 2920, Spring TX 77388, have lessons for adults and you get to choose the time that is good for you. This would be a great ongoing date night for several weeks. Couples of any age can learn some great techniques for the dance floor.

After one of your dance lessons go for a treat at Red Mango Frozen Yogurt located at 9595 Six Pines Dr Ste 1250. They have several different varieties of frozen yogurt to try. While you are enjoying your treats share with each other why you love him/her. It is always nice to hear why your spouse loves you. You will grow stronger together by focusing on the other person and what makes them someone you love.

77479 Ice Skating

Have you ever been ice skating?  What about with your spouse?  It will be a fun time for both of you. Don't laugh too hard when your spouse falls, because you will probably not be too far behind in your own fall.  Sugar Land Ice Center, 16225 Lexington Blvd., has affordable public skate times nearly every day of the week.

After ice skating take a short drive to Thai Cottage, located at 4723 Sweetwater Blvd. to rest your feet and get some lunch or dinner.  Thai Cottage was voted Best Thai food in Houston by A-list.  I heard the Panang Curry is fabulous!  While you are dining have each of you write down 10 things your spouse can encourage you to do.  Sometimes we just need that extra support and encouragement to accomplish our goals.

77072 Chinatown

Ever want to travel somewhere foreign?  Well now you can without leaving your home ! 

 Hong Kong City Mall (11205 Bellaire Blvd) is the perfect place to go exploring and try some authentic Chinese food. With  over 100 retail stores and several restaurants you are bound to find some interesting things as well as test your palette with new foods.

During your date it is a good time to share with each other places you want to travel together.  Would you want to go alone or take your children?  How long would you want to be gone?  Do you want to stay in a hostel or a hotel?  Enjoy pretending to plan your trip while you have some lunch or dinner at Hong Kong City Mall.

77375 Tomball Museum

Visit a little piece of history as you tour the attractions at the Tomball Museum Center together.  Tomball has a beautiful history and you will thoroughly enjoy viewing a piece of it.  Many of the buildings and furniture in them date back to the 1800’s.  The different historic locations include; Griffin-Memorial House, The Farm Museum, Theis House, School House, Oil Camp House, Doctor’s Office, Log House and Corn Crib, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall and Gazebo.  Admission is only $4.00 per person. To check out more information take a look at their website here.

Walking through this piece of history may make your start thinking about your own history and your spouse’s.  Did you know that the experiences you both had during childhood can have a great impact on your marriage? This article on thrivingfamily.com talks about how the experiences you each had growing up may be the cause of some of your differences.  Most likely, you both grew up in homes that handled things differently.   Read through this article and think about how your childhood has impacted the person you are, and share your childhood memories with your spouse.  Learn about how they grew up and how that formed them into the person they have become.  As you strive to learn about each other’s pasts, you will become more connected in the future!

77377 Matt Family Orchard

Is there anything better than fresh, local fruit?  There is something about a peach picked right off the tree that is just so delicious.  Matt Family Orchard in Tomball is fun date idea to get out of the house, and you also get to come home with some yummy fruit.  Spend a few hours with your spouse out on their beautiful orchard where you get to pick your own fruit and bring it home.  They have a variety of options including blueberries, blackberries, figs, jujube, Asian persimmons, Asian pears, pumpkins, and more all sold by the pound. 

You can even call ahead and schedule a tour of their 145 wooded acres on a fun hayride.  As you are on the hayride look out for the variety of wildlife that live on the orchard including deer, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, hogs, rabbits, roadrunners and more.  You might even want to make a little competition out of it with your spouse and see who can spot the most animals.

You can check their website here for more information on hours, location, and when fruit is in season.

When it comes to fruit, the fresher the better.  The same principle applies to marriages.  After being married for a while, it may be hard to keep your marriage feeling “fresh”.  One simple way of doing this is to text your spouse something every day that reminds him or her why you love them.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1.    I am counting down the minutes until I get to be with you!

2.  I loved that shirt you were wearing today, you looked amazing!

3.  Thank you for doing the dishes yesterday, I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you!

4.  Just thought you should know that I am thinking about you!

5.  You make me want to be a better person, thanks for being my best friend.

The possibilities are really endless! Be creative and think of ways to freshen up your marriage with just a text a day.

Try doing this for 30 days and see what a difference it makes!

77008 Local Getaway

Have you ever stayed at a Bed and Breakfast?  I have and I LOVE them!  They are usually quaint with a friendly host and of course a delicious breakfast.  If you can get away for a night or two but do not want to go too far try Sara's Bed and Breakfast located at 941 Heights Boulevard.  Sara's features homemade breakfasts with gluten free options available.

A night away is the perfect time to reconnect with your spouse and leave the hustle and bustle of daily life behind.  I have several ideas for you to try on your night (or two) away. First try dinner at the yummy Ruggles located not too far away at 748 East 11th Street. They feature gluten free, dairy free, and vegan dishes. However, they also have meat for you meat eaters! Bring a game or two along and play games and catch up on each other's lives. Take a walk around the Heights and enjoy the fresh air. Whatever you do, enjoy yourselves, why, even stay in bed the whole day if you want!

77025 Basketball Throw

Basketball Court at Karl Young Park

Grab your basketball and head over to Karl Young Park, located at 7800 Stella Link Rd. For every basket each of you shoots you have to say one thing you like/love about the other person.  Thinking nice things about your spouse is wonderful; however it is better if you say them to him/her.  This little thing will be amazing and make both of you feel better about yourselves and your spouse.

When you are all “basketballed” out head over to Hank's Ice Cream (9291 S Main St.)

and try one of their creative flavors like banana pudding, which I heard is super yummy, or if you are really adventurous try the sweet corn flavor in a cone.  As you are eating together, tell each other how you felt to hear the lovely things your spouse likes/loves about you.

77098 Save a Life

Start your day off by going to The Corner Bakery Cafe- 2615 Southwest Fwy- for a fabulous breakfast. The Corner Baker Cafe features egg sandwiches, egg scrambles, and pastries.

When you are stuffed, head just down the street to the Red Cross (2700 Southwest Fwy) and donate blood together.  While you are laying there, talk about all of the scary things that have happened to both of you throughout your lives.  Sometimes sharing scary experiences with someone you love takes courage, but you will grow stronger because of it.

77098 Create your own Drive-In Movie!

You don’t need a Drive- In Movie Theatre to experience this fun date because you can create your own! All you need is a car, laptop, and movie (or a tablet with movies on it). If you want to watch something new, rent a movie from a Redbox kiosk. Once you've decided on a movie, find a comfy place to park and cuddle. If you can’t go far, a Drive-In Movie in your drive way will do the trick! Bring blankets and cuddle to keep warm. If you'd rather not be in the car, cuddle in bed with the laptop/tablet or go somewhere you usually wouldn't go to watch a movie.

At the beginning of this date, learn about the love language of physical touch by reading this short article: Love Language: Physical Touch. As the article points out, physical touch does not just mean sex. It can be anything such as a back rub, holding hands, a pat on the back, a hug, cuddling, etc.

How do each of you feel about the love language of physical touch? Do you come from a touchy feely family or one where everyone kept to themselves? Do either of you consider physical touch to be your primary love language? If you haven’t already, take the quiz here: The 5 Love Languages Quiz to find out your love languages.

Practice this love language as you watch the movie together. It could be as simple as holding hands throughout the movie. Of you want to do something a little more fun, you could pick a word that is said often in the movie, and every time it is said give your spouse a kiss. You could give turns rubbing each others backs. Continue keeping physical contact throughout the entire movie, however you decide to do so!  :)

Go out and grab some ice cream to go from Amy’s Ice Creams. Then bring it with you and enjoy while you watch the movie.

Amy’s Ice Creams

3816 Farnham St,

Houston, TX 77098

Head over to the closest Redbox to pick up a movie at: 

4700 Kirby Dr. 


Houston, TX 77098

77030 Date of Service

This date will take a bit of preplanning.  Call the Houston Methodist Hospital and ask what kind of service opportunities you and your spouse could do on a night (or afternoon) out.  Some examples might be to host and teach a craft class for kids, read books to the patients, or delivering flowers.  Make an appointment to come to the hospital and serve.  Remember to smile and be friendly on your date.

When you are finished stop by the hospital cafeteria and have dinner, drinks, or dessert.  I have had some pretty good hospital food from the cafeteria- you might be surprised!  While you are enjoying your food find out about a time your spouse was ill and how others cheered him/her up.  Share your own experience.

77018 Bucket List

Pick up a cheap sand bucket at the dollar store.  Add some paper and pens.  Grab your spouse, a blanket, and a "bucket" of chicken from KFC or Barbecue Inn (theirs does not come in a bucket but the reviews were out of this world!).  (Barbecue Inn is located at 116 West Crosstimbers Rd.)  Then head to  Candlelight Park (has a great name doesn't it?) located at 1520 Candlelight. Candlelight parks sits on over 9 acres featuring some beautiful trees.  It is perfect scene for this date.

 

While you are enjoying your bucket of chicken, take out your paper and pens and write down all the things you would like to do together.  These can be as exotic or crazy as you want them to be.  For example maybe you have always wanted to go sky diving together, travel to Europe, or something as simple as try sushi together.  This is such a fun date to do with your spouse!  When you are done you can cut the ideas into strips and place in your bucket.  Display somewhere in your room to remind you to check your bucket list before you plan your next date.

77388 Window Shopping

I don’t know about you but my husband and I really like to go window shopping together.  It helps us know what each other’s tastes are as well as having a great time.  Make sure you hold hands while walking.  Whether you like antiques or a more modern look Houston has it for you.  Try some of these places:

Spring Antique Mall is located at 1609-D Spring Cypress Rd. and features items like jewelry, china, pottery, and furniture.  They are sure to have something for everyone!

Southern Home Furnishings is located at 25403 Interstate 45 Ste D. It is a family-owned business featuring unique home furnishings. 

The Antique Gallery is located at 2117 Spring Towne Drive.  The Antique Gallery has antique furniture, clothing, toys, and coins- just to name a few!

When you have worked up an appetite and your feet are aching grab a bite to eat at La Cabana located at 4710 Louetta Rd.  They have yummy margaritas and tasty Mexican specialties.

During dinner ask your spouse out of everything they saw today what did they like the most and why?  If there was something there that you both liked decide together how you will budget for it.  If you did not find anything, what do you want to look for next time?