Spice it up!

 

I have been married for 8 years as of May 22^nd (reminder: buy gift) and with my husband for 12.  I would be lying if I said, “It’s been all wonderful, joyous, happy times and romance abounds at every turn.”

 

In my reality, marriage takes hard work; marriage means saying ‘I do’ and truly meaning it, because there are times when I have wanted to run for the hills (or in all honesty, Bermuda) and never look back.

 

Marriage Takes Work!

 

When I said, “I do” under the Bermudian sun (yes, that is my dream escape from my marriage and where I was married, cruel I know), there were a few things I never imagined:

1. We were NOT in fact any different than the countless madly in love young ones before us
2. We TOO would have hardships, struggles, resentments, joys, triumphs and we would do them together, (even if, at times, we did not want to).
3.  One thing, that would keep us together as a couple, tied as one soul, different than ‘just friends ‘or ‘roommates living in one house’ would be, ROMANCE!

Doug (my husband) and I are always trying to work on our marriage.  I can say THAT with honesty but I cannot say that it always works. We can fight with the best of them! Btw, I have to tell you a secret and this might land me in a little tiff, Doug is trying to go by DOUGLAS now! Douglas lol, sigh, why switch your name NOW Douglassssss? (Nothing wrong with the name but I just like to poke fun at him)!

Ok, sorry for the diversion, I had to get that off my chest! So where was I? Oh right, we work on our marriage.  Well, with two little girls under the age of 10, a nice weekend getaway is always needed but never achieved.  But lo and behold, a few weekends ago we went on a marriage retreat that changed our marriage in so many ways, it was I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E!

One of the most important things we learned, especially after being together for so long, is to take time to romance each other.  So we purchased this awesome box of date night stuff (no not THAT kind of stuff) and I am going to share some of it with you!

The box gives you and your husband/wife a stack of date cards each, you keep them hidden from each other and then you pull from your stack and surprise your wonderful other half with an awesome unique date that’s all planned out on the card!

Some are intense and some are pretty simple, but all are thoughtful and keep you in the mentality of thinking of each other instead of self!  Oh and did I mention, they definitely Spice Things Up and Keep the Romance Alive!

 Below find a date each for Husband and Wife:

Husband:  Unlock the Secret to Your Wife’s Heart

 Set the stage

You will need:

• A new diary with a latch and two keys
• A nice Ink Pen
• A Gift bag and tissue paper
• A Greeting card

Arrange to take your wife out to dinner.

Build Anticipation

Two days beforehand give your wife a greeting card with one of the keys to the diary.  In your card, ask her to bring the key to the bedroom Wednesday night at 9:00 (you pick the day and time).

Take the new pen and diary and write a letter to your wife on the first few pages.  Recount what first attracted you to her. What did she look like? What was she wearing? What did you say to each other? From your perspective, tell the story of the first date. Sure, she knows the story, but tell it again. Finally, tell the story about the day you married her. Put those memories in your own words.

When you’re finished, put the diary and the pen in the gift bag and arrange the tissue paper on top.

The Main Event

Over coffee or dessert, present her the gift bag. Sit back and enjoy watching her read your letter.

You can repeat this “date” until the diary is full…and then buy another.

Wife:  Private Screening

• Set the stage
• Make plans to attend a play, concert, or some live performance that your husband would enjoy.
• Purchase the tickets
• Make child-care arrangements
• Create a hand-made ticket (see “The Main Event”)

 Build Anticipation

For private screenings, personalized invitations are sent to special guests.  Make your husband feel special by creating a one-of-a-kind invitation.  Handwrite it or use your computer to design a card and envelope.  Include information about a special performance featuring a special surprise later.  Mail it to his office.

Make sure he knows the performance, date, time, transportation, and dress code.  Then tell him how much you want him to be there

The Main Event

The night of the performance, while sitting in your car in the parking lot before going in, pretend you can’t find the tickets.  Rummage through your purse. Pull a few things out, then “find” the handmade ticket.  Give it to your husband, and say something like, “This entitles you to a special private screening I have planned for you later at home.”

 

After you arrive home, retire to the bedroom. It’s your turn to be the main attraction.

So, what are you waiting for? Try to alternate weeks or just plan them randomly, but make sure it’s a surprise when you do it, plan all the details yourself (babysitting, reservations, decorations, etc.) and don’t hold back!

I’d love to know how it goes, how you feel and if your marriage has changed in any way.  We can compare notes!

For more fantastic date night ideas check out Simply Romantic Nights ‘Igniting Passion in Your marriage’ for the full set and other awesome stuff!

 

Xoxo for now,

Kate

By: Kate Heidelberger