To Keep you Close
Life is so busy that it’s easy to live with someone without connecting with them. My husband held a second job for almost all of 2022 to bring in some extra income and while we agreed that that made sense, we had very little time alone last year except for sleeping in the same bed.
We know it’s not healthy for too much distance to grow between us, so we found creative ways to fit in some time together away from the demands of our jobs. I’m not talking about big vacations here. I’m talking about going on dates. I’m sharing 5 date ideas for married couples that will keep you close.
![Couple spending time together](https://i0.wp.com/agingwellwithjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pexels-gustavo-fring-4148965.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1)
1. Go for a long walk/hike in nature
It’s funny how you will find so much to talk about with your spouse once the phones are put away and the noise of life is in the background. Suddenly there is space for you to process your thoughts and share stories from your life with your partner.
Additionally, being outdoors in nature is healing for your mind. So you are doing something healthy for your body while improving your emotional health as well. There is also proof that spending time with other people that you love increases longevity. This is a win-win-win.
2. Go mini golfing, bowling, or to an arcade
Hear me out before you stop reading. When we “play” we are in the moment enjoying what we we are doing. We are increasing doses of the happy hormone (dopamine) in our brain. Laughing with someone brings you closer together, laughter connects and heals. If you want to be closer to your spouse try spending some time doing something playful and fun that makes you both laugh.
3. Get away for the day/unplug
There is a theme to these date ideas for married couples if you haven’t noticed. The idea is that the two of you are truly together, present in the moment. Whether talking or just ‘being’ in companionable silence, you’re there together.
One of my favorite things to do to spend quality time with my husband is going on a road trip. We have a favorite destination, way up north in the woods of Maine. So we hop in the car and we just drive. Just the two of us away from the rest of the world. We talk. We sit in silence as the miles speed by. We point out beautiful sites to each other. We stop at a little diner and get lunch. We are unplugged and just together, and in that is a deep feeling of contentment.
![Married couple date idea: going on a hike together in nature](https://i0.wp.com/agingwellwithjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pexels-heinz-klier-845716.jpg?resize=481%2C641&ssl=1)
4. Cook a meal together
Plan a meal that incorporates food that you both love and then cook that meal together. It’s fun to try new things, and making something new together that you both love is a great way to bond and spend quality time together. There may be some laughter, there may be some mess, and there will definitely be good food. What a recipe for romance!
5. Sign up for a class together
For this one you need to have the time to do it, but what better way to spend time together than learning something you’re both interested in. Whether that’s ballroom dancing, bee keeping (as in our case), or a cooking class, the possibilities are wide open.
You can look at this as a double bonus since you will not only be spending quality time with your significant other, but also learning how to do something new. Both are healthy and help with mental health and longevity. So checkout the adult education website near you and take a class together.
In conclusion of date ideas for married couples…
Marriage takes work and that means we have to commit to making our relationships a priority. There are so many fun ways to spend quality time with your spouse. Don’t limit yourself to Netflix and popcorn (although I’m a fan of both). Go on an adventure, learn something new, laugh with your life partner, and in the end you’ll both be better for it.
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