Date Night

I'm a big fan of HuffPost and it's ability to streamline interesting information to my social media. I'm also a sucker for any sort of article that starts with "top ten ways to..." and HuffPost is full of them. So, no doubt when the 21 secrets to wedded bliss showed up in my Twitter feed, I was lured into these deep dark secrets.

Ok...no secrets I didn't already know, but Mark and I continually ignore one of the most recommended tips for a happy marriage - the date night. I know it is important to spend an evening out away from children so we can focus on just the two of us...but have you seen what a babysitter costs these days?!

A few weeks ago, my sister was on her way to my parents house and luckily our house was a stop off point on her way. She graciously offered to watch the girls while Mark and I snuck away to dinner and a movie. Dinner was fabulous (Emil's Hideaway) and we decided since we don't go out often we would splurge. Now splurging for us means ordering an appetizer and a drink. As we sat their sipping our beer and drooling over the Spicy Chicken Wontons (you have to order these!) we discussed how sad it is that we don't do it more often. And so begins the birth of the date night calendar!

Each year we say we are going to go out on more dates. We "talk the talk" quite well, but the follow through of the "walk the walk" is lacking. We now have scheduled on our calendar 6 date nights over the course of the next year. I know, sad that it is only 6, but you have to start somewhere, right?!

This past weekend we fulfilled our first one. We both really wanted to go to an Iowa game together. We kind of cheated on this one as we were with Mark's parents, but just not having kiddos to watch after really allowed us time to relax and enjoy each others company. After 2 weeks of searching we still couldn't find a sitter so we left early and headed to my sisters house so the girls could have a fun-filled day with their cousins, then headed back to IC for the game. It was beautiful weather, we had great seats, and we didn't feel rushed to be anywhere. It was a great day and a great change from our "normal" routine.

So, here are a few of our upcoming dates we have to look forward to...

Stone City General Store and Drive In Movie
Bata's and a Titans game
Butcher Block and TCR
Lions Bridge Brewery and Paramount
White Star and US Cell Center
Franklin St. Brewery and a Movie

We focused on planning activities where we would have to purchase tickets to something so that we would be more accountable for making it happen, so we're always up for suggestions. What are your "go-to" places for a date night? How realistic is it for a busy family with 3 young children to make a date night once a month actually happen? I'll be honest...all of these "dates" are a distant second to the two of us cuddled on the couch, watching a good movie and sharing a pint of Ben and Jerry's.