so we get out of the car at the restaurant and realize that pam and i match almost perfectly….
capris, brown flip flops, green shirts.
but so did the boys!!!
we looked like such dorks.
but….our dorkiness aside…date night was just what i needed. (thanks pam and eric)
getting encouraged.
being heard.
laughing.
it was so good.
i love date night….i wish it was every week…it reminds me that i am a wife not just a mom.
it's nice to have a conversation without being interrupted by someone who wants their sippy cup refilled.
i'm curious…
how often do you have date night?
do you wish it was more often?
melissa - oh date nights! i wish we had more of them. we just had one on saturday, but it had been a month since our last one…we need more of them, really bad.
glad you had a great one!
Karen - Near as I can remember, the second time since we were married was our tenth anniversary. I pushed and pushed for that night and all hubby did was grouch about it. I gave up. Can’t recall it happening since, without friends asking anyway. We’ve been married almost 29 years, and still have a good life. Those years were tough though, I’ll admit. Very tought
Carolyn - My husband and I had date night last night. Neither of us could remember the last time we had one. Pretty sad. This date night was for my birthday. the next one will be next month for our 15 yr anniversary. There’s no telling when we’ll have another. By the way we saw Eclipse (my choice) and we ate fajitas and drank beer (his choice). It was perfect!
Talysa - We have a rule in our marriage…dialogue daily…date weekly…depart quarterly. :-)And yes we make every effort we can to stick to it…it’s like a treasure to us that we fight to protect. The “depart” may just mean one night in downtown Nashville while the kids are at grandmas but it suits us just fine.
Melanie - My hubby and I just have a date whenever time allows. We only have one child (16 yrs. old) and he goes with us some of the time. When you only have one kid, you can find a lot more time to just be together and talk. With 5, I would think that it would be difficult to find time.
Jennifer - You should check out Project 52 at Simply Modern Mom. She and her husband are doing a once a week date for a year. She’s got lots of easy and fun ideas. 🙂
amber - it seems weird to have a date night, I guess b/c we only have one kid and it feels weird when she isn’t here. We probably should do it more often, for our own sake and hers….we will see. Glad you had so much fun
Jennifer - We never do! We just have our two girls (8 and almost 10), and I don’t have a regular reliable sitter. When they were little we got to enjoy parents night out through the church/preschool, but now that they’re older, unless my parents are in town, it doesn’t happen. We do have the opportunity to eat out once a week when they are at dance for nearly two hours, so that’s something! But aside from that…. 🙁
jodi @ back40life - I’m super blessed that my in-laws get our kids most every Sunday afternoon just after church/lunch and then keep them overnight and we get them back late Mon afternoon/evening. We’ve been trying to be more and more disciplined to go on a Sun night date and just really enjoy being together instead of just having time when the kids aren’t there. It’s fabulous! We do a large portion of our dreaming on those Sun night dates…so good for our well-being, marriage & the whole family!
Jenn - Our kids are still little so we have an ‘at home date night’ every Friday night. We give the kids a fun meal for dinner and then after they go to bed we order sushi, watch a movie, we talk, but most importantly we don’t use our laptops or iphones. Best night of the week!
Julie - Date night? Occasionally. Double Date Night? Never! I think we need to have one! Too funny about the outfits ~
Lisa - So funny. Date night? Hardly ever…it’s terrible! We do a cheater date night – a movie on the couch after the kids are in bed a couple times a month. But a babysitter/dinner out – not as often as we should!
Casey - Matching outfits? Greatness. My sister and I do this just to annoy my son.
Date night……about twice a year, if we’re lucky. ‘Tis a result of relocating and moving around the country. Hard to trust sitters in new areas!
However, our kids go to bed early and we stay up late to catch up. We make it work.
Juli - 2-3 times a year. Whenever my Mom offers to watch the kids.
Sheryl - I so wish date night was more often! We only have it for our anniversary and then maybe one other time in an entire year. Ridiculous I know!
The Lady of the House - We haven’t had a “just us” date in FOREVER! We have an 8 month old and pumping just DOESN’T happen for this girl SO he’s always there BUT Granny pitches in about once a month for us to have that time with just the little one and that is heavenly.
So cute y’all matched – you totally planned it didn’t ya 😉
Happy 4th, The Lady of the House
Kat - Oh this is too depressing. Reading about all these couples who do regular date nights. Sigh.
It sounds so lovely!!
We have 4 young kids (8, 5, 3 and 19 months) and as someone else said, no one really offers to babysit once you get to 3+ kids!
We get out maybe twice a year if we are lucky and can convince the Grandparents to babysit all four. (last time we took the baby with us and went for lunch. Better than nothing!)
You have inspired me to be more creative with a date night at home.
I had to laugh at the matching outfits.
Hope you ate something yummy Meg!
Btw your hair is looking fabulous 😉
sara's art house - CUTE OUTFITS!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂
Tracy Fisher - Loved your date night story. We had one too last night… triple date and one couple brought all 3 kids (but okay since they gave us the free baseball tickets)… had a blast. Love your posts. It’s my daily indulgence.
Tracy (www.tfisherart.com)
Angela - We rarely have date night. Our boys are 18, 14 and 7 so alot of times we have date day and go to lunch, which is good too. When we had our third people stopped volunteering to watch them all. lol I do wish it was more often. I love your blouse, I have several like that but people always think I’m pregnant. UGH!!
Trish - when my husband is employed full time and we can afford a babysitter we would go out once a week… usually a Tuesday or something like that. otherwise it’s not very often 🙁
Holly - that is pretty funny Meg! We usually try to have date night every so often. Not as much since Brian has been working to rebuild my Dads house from the floods in May but it is so important!
Gemma - LOL that is crazy!! Date night seems so much fun : ) Maybe when i’m older!!
Gemma X
Donna - We get date night once a month thanks to our free babysitter “Grandma D”. She’s our adopted gramma since ours are far away. We are so appreciative to her. I wish I could go every week too!
Carolyn - Oh my! That is so funny! I love date night. We don’t do it nearly as often as we would like…we try to take advantage of grandparents and have a date night every time we’re staying with either of our parents. Other than that, we MAYBE get one a month at home, with a sitter and everything. In the summer we’ve discovered a wonderful stay-at-home “date” and that is sitting around a fire in our fire pit having a glass of wine and chatting after the kids go to bed. We love it! (our kids are little, though, so they go to bed early!)
I’ve been stalking you for a long time, but thought it was probably time for me to join the conversation here. I LOVE your blog!
I LOVE the pictures of your house…your style is what I want my style to be! We are in the process of buying a new (old) house and I’m SO excited to fix it up and remodel it to be as fabulous as your house. 🙂 Thanks for your wonderful blog!
Rebecca H. - date night for us comes along by chance once every few months if we’re lucky. we don’t live near family, so it’s kind of hard to find someone to watch the kids for us. but when we get the chance, we make sure to take it! glad you had fun!
Jaimie - not often enough. probably once every couple of months. we do spend a lot of time together though, since my fiance works evenings, so we get to spend our days together, which is nice. but we do need to spend more time alone.
Georgia - We dont have children, just 2 naughty dogs which we cant leave unattended for too long. So we usually have date night once a month if we can afford it.
Its usually a meal out, or for a movie.
Tonight we met up with my cousin and her boyfriend for a meal, then back to there house for a cup of tea!!!lol
very exciting 🙂 xx
Daniele Valois - Ha. Funny. So, in the past year, since our last baby was born, we have had 4 dates. 3 of these dates, our oldest daughter said she had to come with us because we were seeing a movie she wanted to see. Finally, last week, my husband and I went out for our first date in a year, alone. However, our oldest really tried to come! 😛
emily - Your outfits are too funny!
We are very fortunate in that my in-laws LOVE watching our girls so we get to go out almost every Friday! =) Lucky, I know!!!
donna - I love date night. Now that my kids are a bit older – we try to get out once a week. My favorite date night is our once a month “euchre club”……(a card game very popular in Michigan). We get together with 6 to 8 couples and play euchre, eat yummies and drink our adult beverages……..Oh by the way, tonight is euchre night!!
Kelley - Date night comes for us about once every 4-6 months. Weekly would be awesome, but I think monthly would still be better for a reprieve from our two kids. Nice to be reminded you are also an adult and wife, not just a Mom.
purejoy - we weren’t always super intentional about our dates in the beginning of our parenthood days… sometimes it takes some ingenuity to do a date and figure out how to pay a babysitter…
but we try to do it at least once a week.
it’s important to build the bond between you and the hubs. even though you can’t imagine it now… you will have an empty nest one day. and it’s a good thing if you and the hubs have a solid relationship. otherwise, it can be really hard to reconnect after years of child-rearing.
glad you had fun!
Laura - Too Cute! Hilarious with the guys!!! We have a 2 1/2 and 4 year old so date night when it happens is so wonderful. We try to have date night at least once a month more if we can find a family sitter. Everyone keeps saying it’ll get easier to leave (and not feel so guilty) as they get older. 🙂
Jennifer - Ok, that is HILARIOUS!!!
We do NOT have date night enough…once a month maybe.
Wish it was every week.
Once while dating, the husband and I accidentally dressed alike – jeans, same color shirts, and chacos…we got ragged by friends. 🙂
Jenny Wren's - We try to have a date night once a week, but that doesn’t always mean going out. We take turns and on whatever night of the weekend it is, that person’s turn is to cook a nice dinner, or make dessert for a movie fest we are going to have, just something special, where it is just the two of us, no computers, tv, phones…You started out just the two of you, you will end up, just the two of you, so don’t lose just the two of you somewhere in the middle! Loved that you all dressed in the same things, what a hoot!
Elizabeth - My son was looking over my shoulder when I clicked on your blog post today. Before I could read the first sentence, he said, “Why are they all wearing the same thing?”
I burst out laughing —
Staci - We never do 🙁 We are losers and I think it is soooo important!!! You are so right when you said….it’s just nice to be a wife for a few hours without so many demands from the little darlings 😉 I’m glad you feel refreshed! Happy Fourth!!!!
Jill - Once a week. During the school year, “date night” is sometimes during the day when they’re at school and we’re both off (we work weird hours). During the summer, it’s more intentional and we make sure to get out to run errands alone at least once a week and out on a date twice a month. Love that time alone with him!
lindalou - at least monthly or more often depending on my husband’s schedule ): but we always try to make time after almost 44yrs this month (:
blessings,
Sana - hilarious! you two dressed the same, but men too? 😀
Michelle - I laughed when I saw the pic of the two of you, but it turned into a gaffaw when you posted the boys’ pic. Hilarious.
Heather R. - That is funny.
Date nights…not enough.
I hope you had a great time.
~Heather R.
AshleyAnn - sippy cup refills….if it didn’t cause terrible toxic fumes I would have a sippy cup and plastic plate burn party in a few years….after a hot date night….
Kimberly - This has happened to us with our favorite couple friends, except we were ALL matching. It was so reeeediculous!
Hubby and I go out occasionally — we have a great system in place with my friend Liz — we put our kids in bed (we both have EARLY bedtimes) — then we come over to each other’s home and watch trashy TV while the kids are asleep. It’s super easy!!!
Ashley Stinson @ The Hillside Home - right now we are staying with my in-laws while we wait to close escrow on our new home… so we are getting lots of free babysitting for lots of spontaneous date nights! 🙂 it’s so great being able to put the baby down at 7:30 and then handoff the monitor and go out to see a movie. 🙂
Julie in GA - Not often enough…but we did have 3 days home alone together with one kid at camp and the other 3 and Grandma’s house…and it was the best 3 days ever! No tending to kid-needs, no particular routine…just enjoyed hanging out together and doing stuff. It was AWESOME! : )
Laura - Close to never. That is how often we have date night. But hopefully that will change as we move closer to family, ska “free babysitting”.
I am so happy your date night worked out.
And that you got to be a grown up
and laugh.
Ansd be a wife.
This is important.
Not just for you and Craig
but for your kids…
Too see that you are a team…
And that you enjoy edch other
so vital to d healthy marriage.
I think once a week would be ideal…
My parents did that
but I’ll settle for twice a month.
It’s my new goal.
Marriage first…. Kids second.
april - We try to go once a month…..but I always seem to feel guily about leaving the kids behind…
Anna Marie - Definitely not as often as we should. I can’t even remember the last date night we had and we only have one child so far.
shelly @familyblt - We don’t have it enough! We always talk about doing it more and then life gets in the way. And why are the sippy cups always empty!? Seriously 🙂
lol at being dressed alike
traci - Been married 13 yrs. and neglected datenights terribly. Until recently we realized they are not just important but CRITICAL….now we let NOTHING stop us and go out once a week and really make it a date…hold hands, touch hands, etc.
Jenny - I love date night! I SO need that reminder (that I am not just a mommy) as well!! We try to have a date night at least once a month, but I would love to have one every week!
Heather - that is hysterical!!!! i have recently begun the habit of dressing like the baby. i dress her first and throw my clothes together before we run out the door & then as soon as we’re out somewhere, someone notices we’re in similar outfits. what the heck? and why always the baby and not the older kids?
looks like a great group and hope you guys had a great date night!!!
dianereeves - I would love to have one every week-but that is pretty unlikely while my husband is in school full time and and we have three kids. There is a free parents night out once a month through my husband’s seminary, so this year we will get to go out at least once a month-I am so ready for those to start.
Vera - We have a mandatory once a month date night, but we try to go more often. But definitely once a month. When I was on bed rest even, date night was sending the kids away, unplugging the phones and computer and snuggling on the couch with popcorn, candy and a movie.
Kimberlee J. - We do date night once a month. We got married on the 16th of December, and every month near the 16th we go on a date. Sometimes we manage more than one date, but at least we are guaranteed at least one!
Misty, Southern Belle Mama - My husband and I have been married for 6 years and we have 2 young children. We usually go out once a week or once every two weeks. We are so lucky to have both of our parents live in the same town as us so they are always willing to keep the babes when we go out. It is such a blessing to our marriage!
Sally Mangham - Dates are so important! For years my husband and I went on coffee dates instead of date night because we were both in school and working full-time of course this is before we had kiddos. Now we have 2 kids and we still go on coffee dates which really means everything from going on walks, really having coffee, dinner, lunch, etc. No matter what we have learned that we need to get away from our kids and out of the house. I have found as I am approaching my 20th wedding anniversary that it is so important to have that connection with my husband.
One of my mentors suggested that we schedule a weekend getaway every 90 days to really connect with my hubby and role model for your kids that my married is sacred.
No matter how often keep up the dates it worth it!
Tara - when we lived in GA near my family for 5 years, we took a date night every single week…now that we’ve lived in Orlando for the past 2 years….we go out about 1-2 times a month….BUT, we order in take out food (just for us) every single Saturday night…and when we put the kids to bed….we have a date night at the house!
…not the same…but it’s the only way we can afford do date each other in this season!
Sue K. - Its funny we seem to think going to Costco is like sneaking away on a date…pretty much anytime we can get somewhere without the kids…. lucky for us now that the kids are able to be home alone we can have regular time alone with each other. Its sweet!
Lori - My husband and I are sorely in need of a date night! We have two teenagers, so there’s no babysitter to get or pay. Thanks for the reminder!
angela - Life is a date night for us right now. Three kids, grown and married. We’ve been married 35 years. Life is a honeymoon. Not to rub it in or anything. Keep up the date nights. Pretty soon it will be your life.
kristine - omg that’s hilarious! i love your necklace!! we RARELY have date night 🙁 boo! my sister has it every friday night!
Michelle - We decided once a month. And it is now July (to state the obvious as what other month would it be????) and we’ve managed date night ONCE this year. Note to self – have to get out on date night more often! Thanks for the reminder Meg.
mary - i can’t remember the last time i had date night. i need to start letting my husband know whats more important. the easy chair with ‘cops’ or ‘most incredidble car whatevers’ or us. thank you meg for this reminder.
Kae - Hi! I saw this episode of Oprah…it was about..organizing your life or something. But the expert there said that having a date night once a month…is better than going on vacation! That totally opened up my eyes!
Sophie - We’re supposed to have a ‘date night’ once a week when we turn the tv off and just talk and then once a month go out for dinner/movie but neighter of those has beenhappening with any regularity recently! 🙁 Never had a double date though! How funny that you all dressed the same!!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - We used to… but since we’ve moved, we haven’t in @ 2 years… we need to get on it!
Lori - We used to have date nights but we stopped. We are going to start again! You have inspired me! Thanks!:) Lori
PaisleyJade - haha – that is so funny!!!
My husband and I have one once a week at least – but we always stay home and watch a movie with yummy nibbles etc. Don’t go out alone that often – but we should!!!!
Esther - Meg….sounds like you all had fun. Date nights are so so important!!! celebrating our 27th year of marriage in a few days and we have always thru our marriage have gone on date nights. We all need them. Keep it up.