Monday, August 10, 2015

Why I'm Still Dating My Husband

Early in our relationship, we had a serious discussion (well, lots of them actually). But one that particularly stuck out in my mind was this: that no matter how long we had been together, how many kids we had, or how many years we had been married, we always wanted to date.

Why I'm Still Dating my Husband

Now, obviously, some things would change. Aaron wouldn't necessarily be coming to pick me up from my apartment or dropping me off at home in the evenings. But there would still be flowers, surprises, and intentional time spent together with just the two of us. Honestly, dating each other when you're married is the best: there aren't the awkward what ifs or trying to impress someone- you're already committed till death do you part. And after a little more than two years of marriage, dating forever is still our intention. Here are some reasons why my husband and I are still dating:

We're still changing.
We want to continue to get to know each other as we age and grow together. We don't want to wake up one morning, look at each other, and wonder who that person beside us is.

We are choosing to love each other on a daily basis.
If you're married, you know there are days that you still love each other, but are incredibly frustrated with one another. Men and women are just different. The butterflies and warm fuzzies aren't always there when the laundry is piled on the bedroom floor or when your communication is off. But, regardless of all of that, you can choose to love each other. And it is a choice, every single day.

Dating my Husband

We're committed to keeping our love alive.
We recognize that the best kinds of love are those that come with true commitment, no matter what. If we are truly striving to love and live like Christ, then we will show grace to each other daily, and choose to always make the decision that is best for our relationship, and for our love. A fire can't die if it is continually fed.

We recognize that we need time alone without distractions.
Oh boy, is life crazy. There are so many good things to devote our time to, including our jobs, our church, and our ministry. But Aaron and I both recognize that there are times in which we really need some alone time together. And thus- date nights! If we go too long without some alone time, we both feel it. So we try to regularly "schedule" time together.

We consider our marriage to be one worth fighting for and investing in.
Although there are definitely some reasons for failed marriages that are beyond a spouse's control, we believe that a marriage we are both invested in and fighting for is more likely to last. We recognize that there will be trials and even attacks on our marriage in a variety of areas, but we know that at the end of the day, we are both committed to God and to each other, and we will do whatever it takes to keep it together.


We genuinely love spending time together.
When you're married to your best friend, who wouldn't want to spend time together? It's a no brainer. It's just that much sweeter when you're also in love. I can't imagine life without my sweet hubby, and we have the absolute best time on our date nights, even if they aren't fancy, expensive, or even planned.

We want our marriage to be strong for our kids.
We both agree that our marriage needs to come before our kids (Eli for now), or else it won't be strong enough for them to see Christ through us. We know that there will be a time that our kids will be grown and on their own, and we still want to recognize and know each other. We will love them deeply, but we don't plan to let them become our first and only priority.

We need time away from the stresses of the world.
Sometimes we all just need a chance to take a timeout, a breather of sorts. We need to forget about stress or conflict or money or responsibility and just have a good time. So date nights are the perfect solution for this- an escape with our best friend that is fun and also strengthens our marriage.

Couple Dating

Now, you may be thinking: those all sound like great reasons to date my spouse. But how do I make it happen? You're in luck. Here are some of our favorite ways to keep dating each other:
  • Try something new together. 
  • Make dating a priority (schedule it if need be).
  • Be spontaneous. 
  • Don't be too cool to be kids together.
  • Go on at least one trip a year without any family, friends, or kids (even if it's just to a hotel in your hometown).
  • Dance together (in the rain, on the street, at the gym, at a wedding, wherever).
  • Go on adventures, both big and small.
  • Write each other notes and hide them in a lunchbox, purse, or around your house.
  • Take turns doing something that your spouse really enjoys (even if you don't). See The Garage: An Unexpected Lesson.
  • Surprise your spouse with tickets to an event, or a surprise planned date night.
  • Always kiss each other goodbye and goodnight.
  • Hold hands in public.
  • Brag on your spouse around your friends and family.
  • Give your spouse a completely unexpected gift, just because. (Bonus points if it's something you make). 
  • TURN OFF YOUR PHONES and just be together.
  • Have a candlelight dinner at home.
Decades Themed Birthday Party

These are some of our favorite suggestions. Find what works best for you! Your marriage is something worth fighting for. Always assume you have each other's best interests at heart, and show each other grace again and again, over and over. Dating your spouse is one of the very best ways to ensure that you grow together, and not apart. Do you have ideas for some great date nights? Let me know in the comments below, or on the contact page. I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have, so let me know! Happy dating, friends.

Currently,
Kelsie

150 comments:

  1. These are all amazing ideas! I just found your blog through a link up and I'm so glad that I did!!! Great reasons for why you should date your spouse too, I agree with them completely! Newest follower and I can't wait to read more and get to know you!
    http://www.aprioritizedmarriage.com

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    1. Hi Amberly! Thank you SO much, that really means a lot! Dating a spouse is oh so important :) I headed over to your blog, and loved your post about marriage after a long distance relationship. I'm excited to get to know you more too. Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  2. Love this. It's so important to play and take the time to be friends and lovers as well as partners in all the day-to-day craziness of life! I love those ideas and can't wait to try some with my hubby. Maybe we need a double date sometime soon? ;)

    P.S. Love the Cliffs of Moher behind your feet. Gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks, Lauren! Agreed, play time is a necessity! I'm thinking we could definitely get a double date on the books in the near future. And YES, the Cliffs of Moher were amazing! (Nice catch) I'm so glad we went to see them. Can't wait to share more pictures of them. Thanks for commenting :)

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  3. I love these reasons & practical suggestions! We get away once a year & it's always such a great time of connecting & laughing together! Love the tip about turning off your phones! Thank you for linking up with us!

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    1. Thank you so much! I know it will be harder with kids, but my parents have always make it a priority and it is our desire to do the same. Phones are great and necessary, but can be such a "togetherness sucker" and competition for time.Thanks for hosting the link it- I love the topics!

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  4. I agree, dating your husband is so important! It's easy to get in patterns at home and not spend quality time together, going on dates helps remind you to make time for each other and reconnect.

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    1. For sure, Lisa! Patterns are so easy to fall into and the reconnection is definitely so important. It's also fun to keep the flame alive in new and fun ways! Thanks for reading.

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  5. My husband and I need to do better at dating each other! A regular date night has fallen from our routine, and I know we need to get back into doing it.

    http://veryerin.com

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    1. It is so hard, Erin! You aren't alone for sure. I think it's something that often has to be scheduled, but once you get into the swing of making it a priority, it becomes more routine. Good luck! Let me know if you need any ideas or encouragement :) Thanks for reading!

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  6. Good advice for those of us who are much older and have been married for a long time. It's easy to take things for granted.

    your neighbor at Small Wonder

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    1. Thanks so much, Constance. I'm sure it take more work as you get older. We're committed to it though! We definitely take so many things for granted, that's for sure. Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. After 21 years still dating even sitting on the same side of the booth!!! A day doesn't go by that he makes me laugh!!

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    1. Way to go, sister! That's the best kind of love right there!

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  8. Love everything about this, Kelsie! I love that you both have chosen to be so intentional about your relationship, even before something starts to feel "off." I think my favorite thing though is to not be afraid to be kids together! Because really, laughter is oh so important! Thanks for linking up with us!

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    1. Thanks so much, Ashley! Being kids together is absolutely our favorite thing. A love without laughter just wouldn't feel right. Thanks so much for hosting!

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  9. Oh, thank you for posting this! Date nights are SO important - even in marriage. I love leaving love notes in my husbands lunch box. He's always so surprised and it helps us feel connected during the day. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Alison! I agree- they are just a necessity. Lunch box notes are my favorite :) You are so welcome- I hope you find them helpful!

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  10. OMG that last picture is hilarious!!! I love this post, and love the great suggestions you share at the end. I still remember the first time someone told me that love is a choice, not a feeling, and that truly makes a huge difference in a relationship.

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    1. Haha, thank you! That was my "Roaring 25th" decade birthday party. We had a great time and my hubby is a great sport. Thanks so much! I agree, it is a choice- which so many people just don't get. Thanks for reading!

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  11. I love this! It's something my husband and I still try to do, even with two kids. I'd say that the seasons of life in which making date time happen are the seasons when it's most important.

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  12. That's awesome, Abby! I agree- I know I'm not there yet, but I know it will be hard. Thanks for commenting!

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  13. Love the date ideas! I definitely agree, and it's something my husband and I attempt to do often, even with our two kids running around :).

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    1. Thanks so much! That is awesome- I know that it will be hard phase of life to really make marriage (and "dating") a commitment, but I know that it will be so worth it in the long run.

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  14. My husband and I have struggled with this quite a lot. He doesn't see my view on why we should continue to date. He thinks spending time together is great but doing it at home with our kids is his idea of spending time together. Where I want to go and be just the two of us somewhere. He is getting better about it though. I am visiting you from #TwinklyTuesdays
    Kristen

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    1. It is definitely a process, Kristen. That's great that your hubby is making an effort to get better at it, and that you both are finding it's a valuable time for you. Keep it up! Let me know if I can help in anyway. Thanks for reading and sharing! You aren't alone!

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  15. This is such a lovely post. I couldn't agree more, although me and my husband haven't had a proper date night in a while unfortunately. #TwinklyTuesday

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    1. Thanks so much, Alison! I know what you mean- it gets hard to squeeze them in. But they are so worth it! I hope you have one soon :)

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  16. You are such a blessing to your husband! What a treasure your marriage must be. Thank you for this encouragement. Life does seem to get busier and busier, and it's difficult to remember to make time together a priority in the complexness of life. But it's so important, as you so eloquently shared.

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    1. Aww, Amy, you are so sweet! Thanks so much. We are very blessed. You are so welcome for the encouragement, I think it's something that we all experience and need a little reminder of. Definitely something that needs to remain a priority. Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. How refreshing and I couldn't possibly agree with you more. Thanks for sharing on the Living with Style Linky Party!

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    1. Thanks so much, Pam! It is just a fun, effective way to stay in love forever :) Thanks for having me!

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  18. Love all your great tips! My husband and I have been married almost 12 years and we fall more in love every year. It really just keeps getting better...by Gods grace! We still go on dates at least every other week. Its so important!

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    1. Thanks so much, Rebekah! Isn't God amazing? His plan is so good. Good for you for going on dates so frequently, even with all your littles! I hope my hubby and I can keep the same thing going someday when we have kiddos! May God bless your family!

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  19. This is a lovely post. We definitely need to go on more dates, we just don't do it. I think it's because we both work full time and so any spare time we have we want to spend with Zach. I know I certainly feel guilty getting a sitter for him on weekends because it's our time. That said, it is important to remember who you were as a couple before and who you are now. I shall attempt to have a date with the other half sometime soon :) Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! I agree- it's hard when you both work full time, and when you throw kiddos in the mix it's even harder. But I think that you don't have to feel guilty- you're just helping make sure his mommy and daddy stay in love :) Thanks for having me and for reading! Hope you have a date in the near future!

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  20. I admit, I've only been married 5 years, but the idea of stopping dating your spouse is pretty much incomprehensible to me. My grandparents have been married more than 50 years and they still go on a date every Friday. The husband and I are going out later today. :)

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    1. Well, how sweet is that??! So fun that you guys are going out- hope you have a great time!

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  21. i think it's great that you guys still love each other after all these years! :D

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    1. Thanks Andi! Yes, it hasn't been too long, but we are set on loving each other forever, even when we don't feel like it :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  22. I think that this becomes less and less practical as the years go on, at least if there are multiple children. We have four young ones, and my husband works night shift - we see each other for about three hours a day, just after lunch. Out of our four children, I think the eldest (8) has had a babysitter, but the younger ones never have. Besides - who would watch *four* young children to let us have "alone time"? :) And then add into it that we live 5 miles up a dirt road, and a sitter becomes impossible.

    Please don't fall into the trap of thinking that your marriage needs "couple time" on a regular basis in order to stay strong. There are seasons in your life in which you might not even sleep in the same bed for months and the physical relationship between the two of you is a phone call or a kiss in passing. Work travel, opposite schedules, illness (yours or a child's).

    Good luck, though. Obviously there are people who make 'dating' work. I just wanted to point out that, when it doesn't, marriages can still stay strong. :D

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    1. Thanks for your perspective, Marie! It sounds like you are in a very busy stage of life right now! Totally makes sense that a sitter may be hard to come by in your situation. And I'm sure your husband's work schedule makes it hard too. You are so right that seasons come and go, and that the physical isn't all that's important. I hope you can make a special date night with your hubby work soon, we really love our time together (especially pre-kiddos)! Thanks for stopping by!

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  23. My husband and I LOVE taking our weekly dates (and if we have time we take a few a week!) The only problem we find is having a date somewhere where we don't run into people we know! It's getting harder and harder to do so!

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    1. That's so awesome, Amanda! I agree, as teachers it's definitely desirable that we aren't seeing our students on our date nights :) We love them, but it's nice to have a little anonymity! Hope you have a great week!

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  24. My DH and I have been married 37 years and I enjoy being with him even more than when we were first married. Good marriages take hard work and too few couples are willing to invest in it. We raised 15 kids, 13 of whom were special needs and we managed to stick it out and grow through it. It is a decision to prioritize - our marriage comes first and it shows. Cudos to you.

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    1. Wow, 37 years! That's amazing. I love that you enjoy time around him even more so now. WOW!!!! 15 kids?? That's absolutely incredible! You are so right, it is definitely a decision and hard work. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your amazing story- I have a lot to learn from you!

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  25. My hubby and I have been married for 24 years, and we still "date" as often as possible. When our children were very young, it was definitely much harder, but now that they are older, we've reached a stage in which it's easier to get away together again. :) I agree that, no matter how long you've been married or how many children you have, dating your spouse is always a great idea!

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    1. That is so sweet! I'm sure that stage of life was hard, but I love that you'd made it a priority all the way through. Thanks for reading, and congrats on 24 years!

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  26. Good for you guys! Marriage certainly does take a lot of work and dating is a great way to make each other important. I will say in my current life stage with five littles, dating has taken a back seat because it's a hard season of life to do it. But we try to do "in home" dates where we don't have to go anywhere. Thanks for sharing and offering encouragement!

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    1. Thank you Allison! It's hard work, but so worth it, and I'm sure it's just crazy with the 5 little ones :) Yes, "in home" dates sound like an amazing way to go right now! Thanks so much for reading and sharing!

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  27. These are great ideas! Having 8 kids and 22 years of marriage, I can say it is hard to keep up with the dating. It is, however, very necessary! We often scoot away (now that our kids are older) for a lunch date and it's just nice to be together alone. When our kiddos were little, many times it meant just putting them to be early and enjoying the time.

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    1. Thanks Kelly! I'm sure kiddos make it a lot more difficult. How fun that you can sneak in some lunch dates. I totally can see how the time at the end of the night would be the best "date" time for quite a while with little ones. Thanks for sharing :)

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  28. Great ideas for dates. Just having some quiet alone time to spend together and talk can be a great date night, too, even without leaving the house.

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    1. Thanks so much, Beth! That's a great point- just the chance to catch up and talk a bit is the best sometimes (and free!)

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  29. This is such a great post & so many wonderful reasons you have given for why we should date our spouses, long after the wedding bells have chimed. We are approaching our 20th wedding anniversary & we have dated all along the way. Some years we had to be creative (we put the kids to bed early & ordered take out and ate over candlelight at the kitchen table) & in recent years with children old enough to be left alone to watch the younger ones, we are getting more opportunities to go overnight for romantic get-aways. The culture teaches & preaches that the best "relationships" and "intimacy" occur in non-committed affairs, but as those of us that have been married for 5, 10, 20+ yrs will tell you is it gets "funner" & more freeing to be in that life long committed marriage! My husband & I have more fun now than we did when we dated, for many of the reasons you stated (less awkwardness, apprehension, etc.) but also because we "know" one another now ~ we've changed in 20 yrs, but we've changed together because we always made time together a priority. We just this past summer learned to kayak together! What a hoot!
    I say, congratulations to both of you for realizing the importance of your marriage & you are one giant step closer to a lifetime of happiness than most young couples!

    http://simplefaithfuldailygrace.com/

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    1. Melissa, thanks so much for your encouragement and kind words! Congrats on 20 years! That's wonderful :) I love all of your creative ideas- they sound like things we will definitely try over the years. I agree with you- commitment is the key and I know that our marriage will only get stronger as we fall more and more in love over the years. Kayaking sounds like a BLAST! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your heart and wisdom! Come back again!

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  30. I love this! Keep it up Kelsie. Love your photos, too. I'll keep your advice in mind if I ever marry. For now, it's quality time with my tabby cat. haha!

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    1. Thanks so much, Anne Marie! You know what, the perfect guy always comes along just when you're least expecting it! :) (And kitties are great company while you want for the right one!) Blessings to you.

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  31. I love this! I'm not married, but I will DEFINITELY be keeping all of these tips in mind if that time comes!

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    1. Awesome! Thanks so much for reading. I hope you are able to use them someday :)

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  32. My husband and I have been married over 25 years now and we have almost always made time for dating. When we went out without out son, it was Date Night. Time where we could get out and talk about us and our lives without spending all of our energy talking about our son. We must be doing something right, because we're happier today than we were when we met 26 years ago.

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    1. Way to go, Sandy! That's amazing! I agree, ANYTHING you do is date night when it's just you :) Thanks for being a great example and inspiration for all us young married folks!

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  33. I love this. I think it's so beautiful! I wish you all the happiness and marital bliss you can endure. I love that you two have decided to make each other and your relationship a priority. I think that continuing to date even while you're married is an important part to keeping a strong bond.

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    1. Well, thanks so much! We are very blessed, and we think that being intentional about pouring into our marriage is SO important. Thanks for stopping by!

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  34. My husband and I will be celebrating our 32nd anniversary next month! Our favorite "dates" are our evening walks. We do this several times a week - 45 minutes to talk and enjoy each other's company without any other distractions, and it's good for us!

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    1. That's amazing, Deanna! Congrats on 32 years! Evening walks are just the best- my parents love doing that too (and you get in the exercise which is a perk). I'm talking to talk my hubby into walks still...he knows I like them so he'll humor me sometimes and go on one. As we grow older together, I'm hoping it will become more prevalent.

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  35. What a nice post! I love when people make their marriage a top priority. Thank you for the fun ideas.

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    1. Thank you Jeanie! It is definitely worth making a priority :)

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  36. Amen, Amen, Amen! Our marriages ARE worth fighting for. Keeping the romance alive is a necessity. We moved to the middle of nowhereville, Montana, our dates have become driving, talking, and seeing all of the beauty God has created.

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    1. I hear you, Lori! I love those middle of nowhereville date ideas- they are the most fun sometimes :) Thanks for reading!

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  37. I loved your ideas for dating your husband! After being married for almost 14 years, I can see how not paying enough attention to your marriage can easily happen. With kids and work life just takes over. I am going to give your ideas a try!

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    1. Thank you, Nicole! I know it will be very difficult, but we both think it's worth the effort. Good luck!

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  38. It seems if you continue your marriage as you've described it in this post; you will have a long, happy, and fulfilling life together!!
    Kelsie...I deleted my original comment because I used an old user name (gigiscraps), but wanted to credit my blog since I am part of the Commentathon. I finally figure out using the Name/URL choice would give me that ability.

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    1. That totally makes sense! I found it up above, thanks for the explanation. Thanks again for reading and commenting!

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  39. Great ideas shared here. We do change and have to keep up with each others changes. And life changes things for us and sometimes it's really, really hard. You and your hubby are well on your way to a very happily, ever after!

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    1. You are right- changes come and go, but it's all about growing together. Thanks so much for reading, sharing your wisdom, and giving words of encouragement :)

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  40. Dating my hubby is something I would like to focus on more. After 10+ years of marriage and 4 kids, I feel like we've lost touch and we need to focus on us a bit more.

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    1. I can totally see how it could get hard with all those kiddos! You guys can totally do it! Let me know how it goes, and have fun :)

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  41. Love this post! We will be married for 18 years this fall and still after 18 years I have to be reminded of the importance of dating. I'm so lucky that my in-laws are willing to open their home to us to visit frequently(we stay like every other weekend!) and insist that we go on dates! :)

    PS I'm visiting from Blogelina's commentathon. :)

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    1. Thank you Cindy! Way to go on 18 years! (Woo!!) That's so fun that you have such a great relationship with your in-laws! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  42. All of the tips you shared are fantastic- I especially love the "brag on your spouse"- I really think it is important to be positive when talking about your spouse.

    Also, I love your pictures- you two are adorable!

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    1. Hi Amy! I think positive words about our spouses are just so important (and it's fun when they catch up sharing them too!). Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by!

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  43. I think it's important to continue to date and be your husband's girlfriend. Marriage takes work and honest communication. It's good to see that early on in your marriage you have a plan to to keep things going.

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    1. Yes, I love that Tiki! Thanks for reading and for your encouragement!

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  44. What great advice! Sadly after almost 30 years of marriage we have not dated in forever. My husband loves me unconditionally, I know that, but after a while I got tired of coming up with the ideas and trying to make date nights work, when he didn't put fourth the same effort. We are lucky that we get to spend lots of alone time now that our kids are grown and he seems content with that.

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    1. Maureen, thanks so much! I am sure that it is hard in phases of life to make it a priority. Time together is the best sometimes, even if it isn't showy or flashy. I hope you can "date" again soon!

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  45. wow! This is epic! I think every couple needs to know this, but even better, every marital therapist needs this info. Thank you very much. It makes a lot of sense

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    1. Thanks Brian! What a great compliment. I really appreciate your words, and think more couples should give it a try for sure!

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  46. Such great ideas! My hubby and I try very hard to date each other (for many of the same reasons you mentioned above) but since we're on a budget our date nights tend to include dinner at the kitchen table (instead of the couch) and a movie at home! We turn off our phones and the blog and just hang out together. So much fun! One day we'll have money for other dates but this time of our lives is sweetly fun too!

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    1. Thank you Betsy! I love date nights at home. NO PHONES is sooooo huge, and I'm still learning how to balance the blog as well. Too fun to have sweet, fun date nights :)

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  47. I love your advice. I clicked through to read your garage lesson too.

    My guy spends time in the neighbor's garage, I go over sometimes just to hang while he is there.

    The neighbor used to get upset that I intruded on his guy time. He eventually figured out that if my guy and I are happy together, all of our extended relationships benefit.

    Now if I don't go over for awhile, even he will invite me.

    Sometimes I may just pop over for a few minutes to take him a piece of cake or a sandwich, if I have other chores but want to remind him that he is important to me.

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    1. Thank you, Riva! I really appreciate that. Isn't it funny how garages can bring us together? I'm sure your hubby loves the little treats and time you spend with him- how sweet are you? I'm going to give that a whirl- thanks for reading and sharing your wisdom :)

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  48. This is such a sweet post. Dating your spouse, making special time for each other is an investment and one with priceless rewards! I love reading posts about marriage and keeping the flames burning.

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    1. Renee, you are too kind! I think that we are really going to be thankful that we chose to date all this time. Thanks for stopping by!

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  49. Yes! I have been with my husband for 10 years, and we still make dating a priority.

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  50. Going on 10 years, four children (all girls), duct cleaning business, homeschooling.... date night is still a priority. Just can't happen near enough :)

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    1. Oh how fun! (My hubby pleads with me to only give him one girl someday...I tell him that he's going to curse himself into all girls). That's awesome that you guys are still making it a priority!

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  51. Well done! For all those newly weds, and longly weds, this is a must read. You've hit the nail on the head. It's important to put your spouse first, important to make that relationship your number one priority. Others will laugh, they'll question why, but keep moving ahead with your husband. He should be your best friend, and your confidant. You should be comfortable enough with him to share your innermost desires and darkest secrets without fear. And vise versa.

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    1. Thanks, Katy! I really appreciate your words of encouragement! I love that I am so comfortable with my hubby that we can share those things. Thanks for reading.

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  52. Yes! Couldn't agree more, we need to play and keep our relationship on fire!

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  53. Great points! I am crazy about my husband and agree to continue to date each other is very important. I love doing "something" or "nothing" because just being together is enough! Great post!

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    1. Thank you Kelly! Isn't being crazy about your husband just the best? So fun. Thanks for the kind words!

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  54. Great reminder! My husband and I are best of friends and are together all of the time, but we need to make it a point to go out on more dates.

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    1. Being married to your best friend is simply the best :) I'm sure you can find a way to go on a fun date soon! Thanks for reading!

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  55. This is so perfect. I 100% believe in dating your spouse, no matter how long you've been together. My husband is my best friend, too, so it just makes sense! We have so much fun together, and we definitely don't worry about letting our inner geek shine! ;) Beautifully written!

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    1. Thanks Maegan! I am with you- it makes sense :) I'm glad you guys have so much fun together! Thanks for your encouragement!

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  56. Love love love this!! So important to remember to date one another and always surprise and try to be your best for your partner :)

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    1. Thanks mo much! I agree- I love surprises and think constantly striving to be our best for each other is a great idea!

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  57. Great post! You and your husband are so adorable together. :) My favorite date idea is to find local fairs or rodeos (I'm in TX, so they may not have those everywhere). They're always fun! They have entertainment, dancing, and good food. I like that you two leave each other notes. I'm single and don't date, but my daughter and I leave each other silly notes all the time. :) XOXO, Erin

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    1. Aww, well thanks Erin! You're way too nice! Rodeos sound like a blast!! Notes are so fun, aren't they? Thanks for reading!

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  58. Very inspiring. It's easy to forget the early days as you grow older. Thanks for all the ideas too.

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    1. Thanks so much for that reminder, Corinne. I know it will get more difficult, but we are committed to it :) Thanks for reading!

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  59. I love this post! I am a firm believer in dating in your spouse too. I love the point you made the when you are married, you are still constantly changing. My husband and I have been married for almost five years and it is crazy the amount of changes we've had in our lives already. I can't wait for the next ones!

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    1. Thanks Autumn! Yes, change comes all the time and it's crazy to look back and see what's different. Thanks for reading. May God bless the changes ahead for you :)

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  60. Next weekend we will be celebrating our 22nd Wedding Anniversary. We have been together for over 24 years so it says a lot. I think your pact to keep dating is a very good one. Keep it up because it does get hard when the kids and the aging parents are all part of the equation. Love this post!

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    1. That is so amazing, Margarita! Thanks for the encouragement :)

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  61. This is such a great post. It can be easy to let the passion fade out if you don't try hard enough, and I got married young so we're both still changing and it's important to keep dating and keeping things alive. Thanks so much for sharing this :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Hannah! You are right. Thanks for reading :)

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  62. Love this! I am not married but always have such a heart for the idea of continual pursuit. Its one of the tops things I look for when considering my future marriage. Thank you for sharing :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Kylie! Continual pursuit is huge! Thanks for reading.

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  63. Well said Kelsie! I love that this goes hand in hand with my recent post about the silly ways we love each other. I couldn't agree more with scheduling dates if needed. We don't have a specific date night but we do still schedule time with each other. Like you said, we are still changing and it's important to change together! But that's only possible if you allow yourself to do so. Talk about your days, be annoyingly cute, and don't ever believe that your "too young" to do something. Great post!

    Chandler | Life as a Larsen

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    1. Thank you, Chandler! Scheduling dates is key. People don't think it's romantic, but it makes them actually happen ha. I think you're so so right- be cute and don't be ashamed :) Thanks!

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  64. I love this! I hope that I can continue to date my boyfriend long after I become his wife! Dating is so important.

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  65. Fab, fab, fab post and i completely agree - I absolutely love spending time with my husband but so rarely make time for just the 2 of us - having read your post I'm going to make some changes there so thank you for the advice and nudge in the right direction #twinklytuesday x

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    1. Thank you, thank you! I hope it goes well for you :)

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  66. Date nights are my favorite! We'll be married in a few months, but amongst the wedding planning craziness we still have to be intentional about spending time together WITHOUT talking wedding.

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    1. YES!! That is so huge. It's hard during wedding planning to not be consumed by it, but honestly it's like a bajillion times more important to invest in your marriage and not just the one day! Cheers to your date nights, for life! Congrats!

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  67. Girl, this post really struck a chord with me. Even with my fiancé, I'll admit that there are times that I don't always like him...but I Do always love him. I believe love is a choice. It's not always easy to love, but you have to commit to it. This part of your post really resonated with me, "The butterflies and warm fuzzies aren't always there when the laundry is piled on the bedroom floor or when your communication is off. But, regardless of all of that, you can choose to love each other. And it is a choice, every single day."

    LOVE it.

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    1. Thank you so much!! I still feel the same way, a year and a half later. :)

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  68. This is something my husband and I love to do but need to make a bigger priority. I love your suggestions!

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  69. I love this Kelsie!!! My husband and I don't have any kiddos yet but are really focused on our careers. That means we have to make dating a priority or work will always come first and that is a no-no!!! Thanks for your awesome tips!

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  70. I had a point in mind with EVERY SINGLE POINT you made so I"ll just say YAAAAS. I could not lovelovelove this post more. Every point is SPOT ON. Sharing this ASAP!!!

    Coming Up Roses

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  71. I agree with you completely. Even if (because of schedules) date night turns into Netflix and pizza make it worthwhile. You are each others support system and have to speak to each others love languages.

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  72. This is so sweet and filled with such valuable advice. I am not yet married, but I think these are definitely things I want to keep in mind for the future!

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    1. Thank you so much! That's a great way to approach it!

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  73. I love this post so much. I'm not married yet, but my partner and I have been together for 5 years and are still going strong. People constantly ask me how we're so happy and how we get along so well, and they don't realise that you've got to WANT to be happy, and you've got to put the effort in. Do things that you know will make them happy, and they will do the same for you. Look at life as something you're here to tackle together, and try not to let each other down.

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  74. So many great ideas to continue dating your spouse. I am definitely pinning this for reference. Thanks.

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  75. Magnificent article on dating and connections. Love those tips. If it's not too much trouble keep this composition. Here is my (dating site) chat online Chile , people here may be interested.

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  76. Finding love is hard but keeping one is harder and it is a work that be given priority by both parties. Marriage waits for the right time and being rush to things will not result to better ones.

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