My husband and I are really horrible at taking the time to spend time together as a couple. The predominant rationalization that we make is that the cost involved with going on dates is too prohibitive. Getting a sitter, going to a moving, or going to a restaurant seem to be very cost prohibitive for our budget. It is especially hard for me to justifying eating out when we can make much higher quality and healthier foods (that in my opinion tastes much better) for a fraction of the cost than we can get at any of our local dining hotspots. Going to see movies at the cinema does not interest either my husband or I. Watching a film on the big screen with surround sound does not outweigh the ridiculous cost of movie tickets, the overpriced and unhealthy snacks, or the inconsiderate patrons that text and talk during the film. With all the reasons we have to not go out for some quality couple time, we also recognize that we desperately need to make time for us.
For our sixth anniversary we committed to set aside some time and funds for occasional date nights beginning with the day of our anniversary. With my sister’s help, I planned a “date” for our anniversary. My sister volunteered to come over to our house to watch our children, while we went to the park to have a picnic under some shade trees next to a pond. Our anniversary was on a Sunday this year so I planned a breakfast picnic after mass. I wanted to keep our meal simple, special, and delicious. I made our traditional Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls the day before so that I could bake them the next morning. I preheated the oven and set the rolls out to reach room temperature before we left for mass…
(To be continued…)