Do you remember the excitement of school ending before summer break? If you were like me, you were excited for a fun summer. Those seasons of fun can slip by us as adults.
The careless days of summer can be replaced with busy jobs, family responsibilities, and financial worries. Before long, you may look back and realize you and your spouse didn’t take the time to carve out time for romance and fun in your everyday life.
Before summer slips away, I wanted to share some ways you can create fun and romance in your relationship.
Get to know each other again
Spend time asking your spouse questions, trying to learn more about them. You may think, “We have been together for over 30 years. I know everything there is to know.” I bet you may discover some new things about your love. Here are some possible topics to talk about:
- What is one goal you have that feels impossible?
- What is your love language? (If you don’t know your love language, or if you think it may have changed, you can take a quick online test to find out)
- If money were no object, where would you want to travel?
- What is the most daring thing you have ever wanted to try?
These questions are a fun way to open up a conversation.
Date your spouse
It can be challenging to carve out time alone, but it is important to set aside time to date each other. Figure out what works best for you and be willing to be flexible in the seasons of life that get crazy. When our daughter was recently hospitalized for an extended period, our dates consisted of slipping away to the family waiting room for private chats when she was visiting with other family members.
If you have young children at home, find another couple and trade babysitting duties. You could use reward points to book a staycation at a local hotel. Pack a bag for your spouse and surprise them. If finances are tight, you could make sandwiches at home and go for a long drive in your city. I love exploring areas we don’t usually visit.
Have fun together
There have been seasons where our date night seemed like a family meeting about the burdens we were carrying. Talk about no fun. Despite any struggles your family may be walking through, purpose to put it on the shelf during intentional time together and have fun together. Learn how to play pickleball or go bowling together. Find a comedian coming to your city and laugh together. Don’t forget to have fun. Invite your best friends out for a double date. Whatever you choose, make it a fun and lighthearted outing.
Reconnect through intimacy
Sex in marriage is a fantastic gift, but realize that sex isn’t going to be a priority for a spouse who feels overlooked and unloved. If your spouse hasn’t had a romantic kiss or hug from you recently, chances are jumping straight to sex isn’t going to be likely. As you rebuild intimacy in your relationship, you may find a spouse excited about reigniting the physical part of your marriage.
Some couples commit to a seven-second hug or kiss each day or make it a priority never to go to sleep until there has been a goodnight kiss. Figure out what works in your marriage, and then don’t get lazy on making it happen. Physical connection is a great way to reconnect with each other.
You still have several weeks of summer left, so there is plenty of time to make a plan for creating romance and fun in your marriage!
God bless,
