Favorite Date Idea ~ Our Yearly Tradition

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The Late Spring Date

I know what you’re thinking…but it’s the beginning of summer! That’s okay! You can do this one in the summer too! I just prefer late spring, because the ice cream lines are shorter and the nursery is full of spring plants. Now I know you’re curious. What the heck? But will the hubby enjoy it too?  Trust me, there’s something for both of you with this idea. This date is easy, fun, and great for couples watching their budget!

It’s Not Always About The Destination

The first thing you have to do is locate an ice cream shop and a nice nursery. When I say nice, I don’t mean Lowe’s or Home Depot! This means you city folk will most likely be heading out to the country. Usually, you can look for fancy nurseries on the interwebs and they will have pictures for you to check out ahead of time. You could also ask some friends who garden if they have recommendations. Most areas have a nice country ice cream shop or even a cute retro diner that serves it. You can also search for those online. Just try to make it an adventure. The whole point is to really get out and explore, not just hit the local DQ. Enjoy the scenery! Truly make it about the journey.

Relive Your Early Years

Often couples take the time to go on a date like this and you end up talking about the same old thing. Try to remember how you felt when you went on your first few dates. Ask questions of each other that aren’t your usual topics. For the guys ask your wife how she felt when she first met you, what she remembers about your first kiss, or what she is enjoying about the bible study she’s working on. Ladies ask him about how he did on a certain project if he has any goals he’d like to accomplish in the near future or tell him how much you appreciate him doing a certain task around the house (like mowing the lawn or taking the garbage out). Take this time away from your normal routine to reconnect. You might be surprised and learn something new about each other.

Ice Cream and Plants

We thought up this date one unseasonably hot May day about two years ago. What better way to spend a lazy hot afternoon than eating fresh, locally made ice cream and wandering around a giant nursery? Our favorite ice cream place is also a farm market. So it’s a great place to pick up some fresh organic produce, local salmon, and maybe a bottle of wine. The nursery is an amazing place filled with tons of different varieties of plants and trees. Aaron loves looking for ideas for new things to plant, checking out some of the tools they have, and learning about better ways to grow things for our location. Plus he likes to laugh at me when I go through and try the different raspberries off the plants they’re selling. What?!? How else would I know which ones I want to buy? Besides, what he doesn’t know is the nursery worker told me it was okay.

Keys To a Successful Date

• Make it about the journey, not just the destination. (Our market and nursery are only 2 miles from our home, but we do a giant loop and take the long way).
• DON’T BRING YOUR PHONE!! Leave it in the car or if you have kids (turn it on silent).
• Bring cash in case your ice cream shop doesn’t take cards.
• Be in the moment
• Take time to wander
• Remember why you married each other.
• Hold hands!

Married Life Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

Ultimately it’s an effort for most married couples to take time out from the drudge of daily life. But it is such a necessity! God didn’t want marriage to be a struggle, it is a blessing and a sacrament. He wanted us to have a partner for life, not an equal, but a complimentary being to share the struggles of the world with. It’s up to us to put in the effort to nourish that relationship every day. The promised blessings are so worth it!