Birthday Favorite: Dating My Spouse.

I live for Date Night. We don't have a lot of time or money, so being creative to keep things exciting is a must. We occasionally do the stay-in-and-watch-a-movie night, but we also believe it is vital to a marriage to do new things. We don't want to lose the spark that we had while dating, and these dates "kindle the flame." Some of our favorite memories are our silliest dates. After 8 years of marriage, my heart still skips a beat when he walks in the room. I love being with J more than ever.

Here are some of our favorite cheap date night ideas:
• Drive to the local scenic outlook. Bring a picnic and eat while enjoying the lights of the city.
• Go shopping in a mall, each with $5. Give yourselves a time limit and buy something (our usually end up being silly) for your significant other. (We've done this twice. I love my silly trinkets and keep them on display. They bring back great memories.)
• Bake cakes. Then decorate them. (We did this once blindfolded with spatulas. It was hilarious.)
• Grab a book. Sit under a tree and read together.
• Carve pumpkins.
• Go on a walk through the city. Window shop.
• Go on a compass hike.
• Bake cookies.
• Run through the sprinklers. (I am serious.)
• Rent a bike built for two.
• Jump in rain puddles.
• Play croquet.
• Put together a puzzle.
• Have a ping-pong tournament.
• Go bird watching. Don't forget your camera and a bird-book.
• Fly kites.
• Go bowling.
• Play racquetball.
• Go to a park and throw a Frisbee.
• Skip stones on a lake.
• Go on a nature hike.
• Eat a sunrise breakfast in the mountains or park.
• Go visit a nearby waterfall with a picnic.
• Go on a bike ride through the canyon.
• Feed the ducks.
• Go for a drive with no destination in mind. Bring treats and keep the radio off.
• Hunt wild flowers.
• Spend a "survival day" in the wilderness.
• Visit a state or national park.
• Play checkers.
• Go to a store and play "The Price is Right."
• Go to the zoo.
• Watch a movie at the library.
• Visit a historical site.
• Visit a museum.
• Go to a summer theater.
• Visit a bird refuge or aviary.
• Visit an art gallery.
• Attend a ballet or theater performance.
• Go on a progressive dinner date; eating each course at a different restaurant. (I highly recommend sharing each course. This can be expensive and a lot of food.)


We like to keep a jar of ideas and pull one out when we want to be spontaneous. I hope this gives you and your spouse/boyfriend some good ideas! Our next date is tomorrow night....we are going to see HARRY POTTER. I am way too excited...