Date Night

Date night has looked very different from season to season throughout our marriage. Some seasons it may look more conventional, like dinner and a movie, but we have found we almost enjoy the challenge of spending less and seeing what kind of unconventional date experience we can create. There have literally been Friday evenings when we had a $5 bill and found ourselves wandering Walmart searching for the makings of a perfect evening at home--usually a box of donuts and a DVD from Red Box. These have made for some of the most bonding and encouraging experiences together, realizing you can make the fondest of memories for next to nothing. You are really only limited by your own imagination.

I thought I would put together a list of some of our favorite date ideas from years past to encourage others who may feel limited by a small budget or simply bored with the same date routine.

French fries on the beach: We do live at the beach, which is such a gift and an absolutely beautiful place to watch the sun set any night of the year. We keep a pair of light folding chairs in the back of the car for when the notion strikes. French fries (my favorite food on the planet) simply make everything better, and if you are a dairy person (or couple) you may enjoy throwing in a milkshake (or two). If you don't live near the beach, maybe there's a park nearby, or you could even lay a blanket in the yard or grab a chair on your porch. Fresh air and a tranquil setting do wonders for your mental state and create margin for those memories to occur.

Antiques: Both our families are from small South Carolina towns and I have a deep love for history, connection, and craftsmanship. Michael has learned to appreciate these things over the years and we find more and more that we enjoy just browsing small antique shops or local fairs on our travels. My husband bought my wallet at an arts fair we happened across one day and it is one of my most prized possessions--not only because he is my polar opposite and it literally pains him to spend money--because it was a heartfelt gift and now I have a tangible, daily reminder of such a sweet memory.

Frozen yogurt: This is definitely one of Michael's favorites, and originally his idea. This is an especially great option if you are not good at sharing desserts, or if you have completely opposite tastes (as we do). One person can get her classic, fudge topped delicacy while the other is free to try anything and everything his heart desires.

Breakfast date: When we were dating Michael began asking me to breakfast dates on school breaks and some weekends. He would order his pancakes or waffles and I would get my hot tea and we would do the crossword puzzle in the local newspaper together. I'm not a breakfast person, but these have been some of my all time favorite memories and even now we value our breakfast time together at home when we get it.

Christmas date: I believe it was one Christmas when we still lived in Atlanta, we were back home visiting all our family and friends in Charleston and Michael and I were both just worn out when our anniversary rolled around on December 29. Neither of us felt like dressing up, spending more money, or venturing out into the holiday crowds, so we hit up our local Starbucks and drove through neighborhood after neighborhood just admiring the Christmas lights. We now do this every single year and even take our dog along, making it a family tradition. We will listen to Christmas carols or just talk and point out our favorite decorations, but it is a lovely break to just pause and enjoy the season together.

Cooking together: We have tried Hello Fresh in the past (they are always running a promotion somewhere) and loved some of the new ideas and tricks we learned, but that can be pretty pricey and with just a good recipe from Pinterest or a favorite cookbook you can easily make a night of the short grocery trip and preparing the meal together. I love to cook. I get it from my dad, who got it from his grandmother. I have fun in the kitchen and enjoy finding new recipes or techniques to try. Michael is not as experienced, but loves to learn and help out. It can be very fun to intentionally spend that time together rather than just checking another daily chore off the list. Put on some music and get to dancing in those aprons you never get to wear. It'll be like a scene right out of a 90s romcom.

Tackle a project: This is not the activity I would recommend for those looking to spend time together relaxing or sharing. This is something we really enjoy, particularly when we've been busy with work or things that keep us apart and we can come back together and accomplish something for our home. Our last project was cleaning up and mulching the front plant bed. We had some glorious Spring weather a few weeks back and we'd been stuck inside all Winter, tired of computers and fluorescent lighting, so we got outside with our dog and even washed the cars while we were at it. At the end of the day you're tired and maybe a little sunburned, but you can grab a pizza or watch a movie and sleep easy knowing you're still a good team and your home is the better for it.

These are just a few ideas we come back to time and again because we enjoy them so much. They are certainly not all your idea of a typical "date," but good ways to spend time together and most can be enjoyed for under $10. Hope you've enjoyed reading and maybe gathered a few ideas for your next date night or even a night out with friends you haven't seen in a while.

Best,

Emily