Date Your Mate: Creative Date Ideas For You & Your Spouse

How would you describe the strength and quality of your marriage? Many couples who have been married for several years admit that their relationship is no longer as “exciting” or “romantic” as it once was. This does not necessarily mean they are contemplating divorce, but it does mean that there is probably room for improvement within their relationships’ dynamics.

Date Your Mate

Think back to the dating stage of your relationship. How did you spend time together? Because they typically do not live together yet, couples who are in the early stages of their relationships spend their time together doing fun activities designed solely for the purpose of spending time together – going out to eat, going to the movies, etc. Unfortunately, it happens far too frequently that after being married (or simply living together) for a long time, these same couples get so comfortable with each other that they almost become complacent. They get so caught up in their routines and the day-to-day responsibilities that come with running a household that they forget to designate time for them to reconnect as a couple. 

In recognition of this common challenge many long-time couples face, May has been designated Date Your Mate Month. In honor of this monthly observation, I have put together a few suggestions to help you date your spouse and bring some of the romance back into your relationship. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on these dates; all that matters is that you and your spouse get some much-needed time to reconnect.

Date Ideas For You And Your Spouse

Ideally, I believe that you and your spouse should designate a date night at least once per week. Life can get rather hectic, of course, and sometimes this isn’t always feasible. However, I strongly encourage you to try for a designated date night at least 2-3 times per month – you might be amazed what a difference it makes! 

Since you and your spouse have probably been eating and watching movies together for years now, I would also encourage you to think outside the box and look for date ideas that break up your daily routine. Here are a few creative ideas to get you started:

Exercise Together
While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when brainstorming date night ideas, exercising together can actually be a great way to add some excitement to your relationship. Physical exercise releases endorphins and can increase sex drive. Regularly exercising together will also keep you both in better shape, which will probably contribute to you overall happiness as a whole.

Get Out On The Water
If you live near the ocean or a lake, why not rent a boat for the afternoon and enjoy a few quiet hours away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life? Being surrounded by water has been shown to have wonderfully positive effects on your mental and emotional well-being, and boating together will help you both reap the immense benefits that water offers.

Hit Up The Amusement Park Or Local Carnival
Take a trip down memory lane and enjoy a date night at a local carnival or nearby amusement park with just the two of you. If you’re both avid thrill-seekers, a roller coaster could be exactly what you need to get your blood pumping. If you prefer to take it slow, riding the Ferris wheel or simply sharing some cotton candy can be great fun. 

Go To A Comedy Show
When it comes to bonding with someone you care about, never underestimate the power of laughter. A comedy show could be just the thing to get you and your spouse laughing and reconnecting. If you’re going to see a comedian you’ve never heard of before, you may want to look up some of their material on YouTube to make sure you will enjoy their performance.

Plan A Picnic
Being outside in the fresh air works wonders for your both your mind and body. I know I encouraged you to think out side the classic “going out to dinner” box, but if it’s been a while since you and your spouse went on a picnic together, then this could be a fun way to incorporate food into your plans while still breaking out of your ordinary routine. 

These are just a few sample ideas to help you and your spouse begin breaking out of your day-to-day routines and enjoying spending time together again. If you have any other must-try date ideas, please feel free to share them in the comment section below!