What is the key to success in relationships and marriage? Philip and I have been together for over 8 years now and while I am not saying we have a perfect relationship, I do feel like we have a once in a lifetime love.
Now, don't get me wrong, with the wrong person, if it is not meant to be, it just won't work.
On the other hand, with the right person, and a lack of work, it can feel wrong. I used to wonder how people can go from being head over heels in love, to absolutely hating each other in a matter of a lifetime.
I think, at least Philip and I's philosophy is dating! You should always date your significant other. I don't care if you've been together for 6 months or 6 years, love is a verb. Love is something you do to another person. It is not a noun, a tangible thing, it is an active feeling that should be shown, through small gestures, kind words, precious moments.
If you think of your love as a verb, and not a noun, you could have one of the most important key's to a happy and healthy relationship!
Over the years though, the old dinner and a movie can become quite repetitive, so I thought I would share with you some dates we have been on, some that are on the to do list, and more to give you inspiration to actively date your S.O. and show them your love!
Feeling Adventurous?:
- Get outdoors! Go for a walk, a jog, a nature trail, a hike. Pack a backpack with some waters and snacks and explore a local nature preserve.
- Kayaking and Canoeing! If you don't have your own, you can find local places that typically rent them for the day.
- Fishing! Philip is the definition of a fisherman, he lives, sleeps, eats, and breaths, fishing! Even if it's not really your thing, it's a great way to bond, and there is typically a lot of down time that leaves time for talking.
-Have animals? Take your pups to a local dog park. Not only is this a great place to make friends and get outside and spend QT with your other half, but your pups can get out and make friends too!
- Go camping! Search in your area for local campsites and pack your bags for a night. If you're lucky maybe you could also do a bonfire and some s'mores!
-Go sight seeing, does your town have a city life? A downtown area of sorts? Go for a walk in downtown and see the sights. Most downtown areas also have some awesome quick lunch spots, grab lunch while you're out.
-Go ATV/4 Wheeling.
-Rock Climbing! Many places have indoor rock climbing centers where you pay for the day and can rock climb as long as you'd like! (This is one of the dates on our to-do list)
-Work out together! Hit the gym!!! Races can be really fun and bonding! We have done a couple 5K's together and each have been great.
-Do you two have bikes? Go for a bike ride! If not, you can typically find a place locally that rents them.
-Go Rafting or Tubing!
-Rent some jet ski's (Another on my bucket list)
-We have something pretty awesome here called Treeumph! Its a tree top obstacle course! Incredible! Check your area and see what unique things you have.
- How adventurous are you feeling? Feel like going a little crazy? Skydiving, Bungee Jumping, talk about a bonding experience and an adrenaline rush!
Feeling Romantic?:
- Go out for a romantic dinner for two, take turns picking the place, that way you can both enjoy different foods! Philip is a big lover of a hearty meal, and I love me some sushi! It's fun to switch it up often.
- Fondue can be super fun and romantic! It is one of my favorite ways to celebrate, but tends to typically be expensive! Have your own fondue night at home (we did this for our recent anniversary to enjoy some alone time and save money - maybe we will have a repeat and I will blog some recipes!)
- Massages! Whether you want to go to a spa and get a couples massage or offer them to each other it can be a great bonding experience. Philip and I tend to switch off 20 minute massages weekly.
-Cooking can be one of the most romantic things you do together. Help each other and make it an equal job, set the mood with some light music! Once your done, have a candlelit dinner for two!
-Spend some time swimming or in the Jacuzzi!
-Have a low key night in, snuggle up and watch a movie! Redbox is a great option for new movies and it is super cheap! They come out with new releases every Tuesday!
Places to go, Things to see:
-Movie Theatre, once again, take turns picking the movie so they interest you both.
-Local theatre to go see a play, musical, or comedian! We have had some of the best times at the Performing Arts center and the tickets usually aren't too crazy!
-Go to a concert! Whether its one of your favorite performers, or a concert in the park, music is one thing that can really set the tone for an amazing time!
- Gun Range! Shooting is one thing that intrigued me but also frightened me, it turned out to make one hell of a date night!
- Go out together! Going out to bars, lounges, and clubs doesn't have to just be for single people! Go out and have a drink with your significant other. One of my favorite movie scenes is from "Four Christmases" when Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn go out to a club together and pretend not to know each other and he has to win her over all over again - so cute!
-Hit up the library together! Whether you like to read, need to study, or just want to browse, the library usually has private rooms where you can go in together to read, talk, rent movies and what not.
-Are you religious? Faith is one thing that two people can really bond on, and going to church together for me always felt like something that bonded us.
-Does your town have a local brewery or winery? Maybe a tasting? Go and try some local brew.
-Spend the day together at the beach!
-Do you have a local flea market? Phil and I love spending weekends at the flea market looking for odds and ends and rare finds that we can restore and make beautiful again!
-Go to the zoo! Most zoo's have some really fun behind the scenes things you can do as well like animal encounters and what not!
-Do you have a local amusement park? We have a ton near us, from Busch Gardens/Adventure Island to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure! Spend a day there riding the rides and trying new things!
-Go grocery shopping together, somehow Phil and I tend to have some of the funniest moments in the isles of Target.
-Shop together, pick things out for each other.
-Murder Mystery Dinner's are so much fun! Our area has one on a train and is such an amazing experience.
- Go to a local festival, here we have some pretty awesome ones from the Strawberry & Blueberry Festival, to the Renaissance Festival.
-Do you have any local museums! We have a ton around us from MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) to the Photography Museum, the Dali, and so many more!
-Go to a car show, Phil loves the exotics and I love the antiques, we go fairly often!
-Go on a dessert date, ice cream, froyo, just get whatever feels right.
-Drive In Movie theaters can be so fun and are usually cheaper than the theater - plus you can bring your own food and drink!
-Ikea! Hear me out on this one! Ikea can be such a fun date day, especially if you already live together. Philip and I love to go there and spend the day "shopping" for our future home. Taking pictures of things we like, dreaming out our future house, and they have a cafeteria where you can get lunch!
Holiday Seasons? Get Festive!
- Spend New Years together, watching the fireworks, or the Ball Drop. Share your New Year Resolutions and a midnight kiss!
-Color Easter Eggs together!
-Carve/Paint pumpkins together while watching a scary movie!
-Go to a costume party together.
-Corn Maze's can be super fun, check your area in the Fall!
-Go to a local Haunted House!
-Pick out a Christmas tree together and decorate it.
-Decorate your own stockings or ornaments.
-Is it snowing in your area? Get outside and let your inner child shine! Make snowmen, snow angels, have a snow ball fight!
-Have a Christmas Scavenger Hunt! I'll do a post on this as the season gets closer!
-Make a gingerbread house together! Or make two and have a competition for who can make the better one.
Games & Sports?
-Play video games together!
-Play a board game!
-Go to a sports game together, there are so many choices - Football, Soccer, Hockey, Baseball, watch the game at a sports bar with some delicious food and a beer!
-Play pool together.
-Go bowling
-Mini Golf!
-Go Carting!
If you can, go on vacation together! Whether its for a week or just the weekend!
At the end of this post, my point here is, it doesn't matter what you do. Just do it together!
Never, Ever, stop falling in love with each other. <3
XO
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