Date Night

“Men always want to be a woman's first love - women like to be a mans last romance.” - Oscar Wild

Ever since Mr Self Care and I entered into empty nest-dom, Date Night has not been a real priority for us. 

We come home from work to a quiet house, slip into comfortable, casual clothes and we just relax....no interruptions....just quiet togetherness

Or...

We don't go straight home from work.   We stop in at a Mexican restaurant and have a nice meal and conversation...or pop over to a bookstore and browse the racks...or drop by REI to peruse outdoorsy things.  

It seems every night is a Date Night now.

When we were actively parenting, Date Night used to be the second Saturday of every month.    We alternated planning the event and occaisionally adhered to a theme...

Drive-in movie, with burgers, fries and a milkshake...
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon movie at home with Chinese take-out...
Movies under the Moon (a community night time theater) in the park with a picnic dinner...
Ferry ride to Whidbey for Dinner and a movie

Our Date Nights have ranged from extravagant Fine Dining and Theater to the not-so-creative Red Robin and a movie. We have jumped aboard Dinner Trains and have splurged for Winemaker's Dinners, but we have also been known to stay home and plan a vacation, or play board games, or watch DVDs of British comedies we picked up at the library.  

We have always felt that designated "together time" is important, and Date nights...well they are just good self care.

When was the last time you went on a date?   If its been a while, I implore you to grab a sitter and give your sweetie a call...or email...or text...or IM and ask what they are doing tonight. 

If you can't get a sitter, put the kids to bed early and spend some time reconnecting with that person of your dreams.

Here are a 6 very inexpensive Date Night ideas:

1. Make his/her favorite dinner and then take an evening stroll
2. Have a picnic - lay out the blanket and dish up some KFC and potato salad.
3. Light up your fire pit or chimenea, sit outside with a beer or glass of wine and talk
4. Rent some DVDs and curl up on the couch together
5. Pull out some board games and serve up some appetizers
6. Make some big salads and fire up the Wii Fit.

Whatever you do tonight:  Have Fun!