A Month of Date Nights Part 1:

image courtesy of
 http://www.guyfieri.com/hotspots/tv/lankford-grocery-market/

It’s date night, and the question on everyone’s mind is, what do you want to do?

Have you ever fallen victim to the endless cycle of asking your spouse, “where do you want to go” or, “what do you want to do” on your date night? Sometimes, picking a place to on your date can pose quite a challenge. 

Well, look no further, we have come up with a Hollywood themed date night for you and your spouse. Houston was featured on the reality TV show, Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. Going to your neighborhood Applebee’s is great, yet so predictable, try instead going to, Lankford Grocery. This mom and pop grocery store was turned into a burger joint. This quirky little restaurant is opened from 7 am – 3 pm and is cash only.

Relationship Reconnection:

While on this date, do a little “strengthening your marriage exercise”, act like you are on a first date. Hold each others hands, giggle during jokes, hang on each others every word. Act as if this was your first date, and as if you were falling in love for the first time. Make sure to give each other a goodnight kiss at the end of the date!

If you’d like to see this restaurant featured on Diners Drive- Ins and Dives, click this link and watch the short video <http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/lankford-grocery-0134952.html>

A Month of Date Nights Part 2:

Image courtesy of
http://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/
dimitri-fetokakis-on-the-new-niko-nikos-in-
market-square-6402084

It’s date night, and the question on everyone’s mind is, what do you want to do? The next destination in Houston is a Dive called, Niko Niko’s.

How would you feel about Greek food served out of an old gas station? If this sound like a fun date nigh adventure, check out, Niko Niko’s, while you’re there, try the Honey-Drenched Donut Holes, called Loukoumades.

Relationship Reconnection:

While out on this date, reminisce with your spouse about all the Dives that you two have been together. Remember that cheap hotel you stayed in while on your road trip the first summer you were married? Or when you ate the food truck that everyone recommended? Talk together, laugh, and have fun. Who knows where the conversation will lead to.

A Month of Date Nights Part 3:

Photo courtesy of http://www.redlionhouston.com/

It’s date night, and the question on everyone’s mind is, what do you want to do?

Next on our culinary adventure, we travel to India! Well, maybe not that far, how does Shepherds drive in Houston sound? If you are in the mood for some authentic Indian food, than search no further than the, Red Lion Pub & Restaurant.  If you do end up going, try the Tandoori Chicken Quesadillas or the Chicken Tikka Masala.

Relationship Reconnection Idea:

Speaking of foreign travel, as part of this fun date night, spend some time getting to know your spouse a little more. Take turns talking about where you would like to travel to someday. Talk about what makes that destination special to you.

A Month of Date Nights Part 4:

Photo courtesy of http://www.kennyandziggys.com/

It’s date night and the question on everyone’s mind is, what do you want to do? Well, we have the answer for you, it is the last date night location on our, Diners and Drive-ins tour of Houston.

Without further adieu, Kenny & Ziggy’s Deli. This deli features huge family size portions, and a fun atmosphere. This restaurant provides authentic Jewish cuisine. Here is the monthly date night challenge; pick a different hole-in-the- wall restaurant every Friday night for the next month. Add a little spontaneity to your date nights. Break out of your usual date night routine.

Relationship Reconnection:

Speaking of family size portions, while you are out at dinner, talk to your spouse about how many children you’d like to have. Talk about how many biological children you’d like to have, or adoption plans if it pertains to you. If you are empty nesters, talk about how you will keep family ties as your children and grand children get older. 

Take a Hike!

Even if the great outdoors isn’t your thing, it’s good for your body to get fresh air and exercise. Taking a hike with your spouse can be a great way to get exercise in a fun way. The hike doesn’t have to be long or hard, it can be a nice and relaxing stroll if you’d like it to be. As long as you are outside with your spouse taking a walk through nature, then you’ve accomplished this date.

Your daily R&R Tip! (Relationship Reconnection):

Going on a hike with your spouse can teach you a lot about their determination, attitude, and ambition for life. While on this hike, take the time to share stories with your spouse about other times you’ve been in nature growing up. Maybe you experienced a lot of activities growing up where you were out on hikes and campouts from being part of a Scouting troop. Maybe you didn’t have any opportunities to see nature outside your own backyard. Whichever way you grew up, share that with your spouse. You could learn something that you didn’t know before about them, building the emotional intimacy in your relationship. 

Monet in Mustard

Did you ever finger paint in elementary school? Did you ever use condiments as your choice of paint? Well, now you can do both! For this date night activity you’ll need:

-newspaper

-paper/construction paper

-your choice of condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, ranch, BBQ sauce, etc.)

-table (optional)

First, you’ll line your table or floor with newspaper so that any excess condiments that don’t make it onto paper won’t leave a mess everywhere else. Next, you’ll place the paper that you’ll be painting the condiments on down on the newspaper. Now, all that’s left to do is to squirt different condiments on your paper and smear them around, making whatever picture or art masterpiece you want.

Your Daily R&R Tip! (Relationship Reconnection):

Not only will this activity bond you and your spouse together because of the fun memories you can create and share later on, but it will also bond you emotionally as well. If you would like, for your ‘painting’ you can draw or depict your favorite date that you’ve ever been on with your spouse and have them guess what it was, using the drawing as a clue, and then switch. Then you can take turns and discuss why those dates were your favorites and what you liked most about them. 

Image courtesy of 'sattva' at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Roller-Skating Rascals

This date will not only get you out of the house, but it will give you a fun way to exercise as well! You’ll need to look up where your local rollerblading rinks are to find where the closest one to you is, but here are a few that you can find in the Houston area:

-ChampionsRoller World  (All reviews say that this was a great rink to go to. The only ‘complaints’ were about the music selection.)

-Sk8Town (Reviews say that it’s a great place to go skating, but not so great as a birthday party venue.)

If you haven’t gone rollerblading in awhile, or not at all, this is a great way to have fun with your spouse. Hold hands while skating, compliment each other for trying your best, and laugh with each other when stumbles occur—always helping each other back up.

Your Daily R&R Tip! (Relationship Reconnection):

Having a fun, physical activity like this helps husbands feel more connected with their wives since it is bonding through a recreational interest. In order for wives to feel more connected to their spouses, there needs to be a more emotional bond. So, each time you circle the skating rink, both husband and wife need to share at least one thing that they appreciated what their spouse did in the past week. This makes it so that each spouse can recognize and become more aware of the little things that their partner does around the house and at work.