Every season of the year brings with it different opportunities to enjoy being together as husband and wife. That’s why we’re pointing you to some fall dating ideas. It’s a great time of the year to be playful with each other. (Actually, every season can be a great time!) Let’s face it:
“As we get older, and especially when we enter marriage and parenting, it can be easy to feel that most of the time, you have to be serious and try not to appear childlike or playful. But making time for playfulness and creativity can help with your marital satisfaction. In fact, Dr. Arthur Aron’s research revealed that couples who go on exciting and novel date nights, or engage in fun and challenging activities, feel more satisfied with their relationships. Try to set aside time for you and your partner to have fun in whatever way pleases both of you.
“Taking a break from the pressures of adulthood together can help give your marriage a fresh start.” (From the Gottman Institute)
So go ahead. Do what you can to break away from the many adult pressures you’ve been facing lately. If all you do is spend time doing “chores” together, you can get bored with each other. And boredom can cause you to forget the love you had for each other when you first said, “I do.” And how can that be good for your marriage? It isn’t!
Fall Dating Ideas that Grow Your Love
“In order to keep the spark alive and avoid ‘roommate syndrome,’ couples have to understand the notion of spending ‘time’ together versus creating ‘sacred’ time together. Spending time at social events, time with family and doing ‘chores’ together does not count as sacred time. Instead, carve out special time to not only be intimate, but also ensure that you continue to share new experiences together such as hiking, exploring someplace new, or arranging a stay-cation in your own city.” (Marni Battista, Counselor)
And of course, carving out special time together includes exploring fall dating ideas that you can experience together. So, carve away! Here’s one of many ideas:
“Taking a walk together is a great way to nurture your marriage. Walking hand in hand is romantic and provides non-sexual touch. You have time for good conversation, and many men find it easier to talk when they’re moving and not getting constant eye contact. Why not start doing an evening walk as often as you can? Try tapping into the power of ritual by doing your walk the same time each day, such as after dinner or just before dark.” (Paul Byerly)
Walking in Love
We love (and agree with) what one doctor “prescribed” to one married couple:
“A wise physician once said, ‘the best medicine for humans is love.’ someone asked, ‘what if it doesn’t work?’ he smiled and answered, ‘increase the dose’.” (Unknown)
So, that’s what we’re prescribing for your marriage—increase the dose of love you’re showing to your spouse.
“Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
And… as you are walking in love together, here’s another great fall dating idea for you. The bonus is that you can use it any time of the year.
“Find a place nearby with a fantastic view. It may be a mountaintop, on the beach front, overlooking a tranquil lake, or a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. Wherever you go, pause to take in the big picture view and realize how small we are compared to God’s creation. Remember He cares for you; He cares for your spouse; and He certainly cares for your marriage. This is why date nights are important.” (Debi Walter)
But wait! We have even more to share that you can use.
Here are several additional fall dating ideas:
“Take time to have some fun together every day! With today’s hectic schedules, it’s easy to find your marriage at the bottom of the priority list. Take a walk [like suggested above] and hold hands (nature calms). You can also couple-cook (food fight!), exercise together (dancing maybe?) or just collect a ‘Daily Joke’ to share. It doesn’t have to be expensive. But if you make the commitment and effort to laugh together as often as possible, it can sweeten your connection. It can also cement your relationship for life.” (Melodie Tucker)
And then, Drs Les and Leslie Parrott share with these ideas with us:
• 10 ROMANTIC FALL DATES TO ENJOY WITH YOUR SPOUSE
Plus, Tom and Debbie Walter of The Romantic Vineyard gives us several more:
• 13 FALL DATES TO WARM YOUR HEART
Finally:
If that’s not enough for you, the following are a whole lot more fall dating ideas. Read, adapt and use what works for your marriage:
Keep in mind, whether it’s fall, or anytime of the year, it’s important to date your mate. Spending time together as a married couple is good for you and your spouse to help you grow your marriage. And it’s also good for your children:
“If you are always pushing your spouse aside for time with the children, you may want to consider just what you’re teaching your children. By the way you treat your spouse, are you modeling for your children how you hope they will treat their future spouses? Probably not. Spending time with your spouse not only draws the two of you closer together, but it also teaches your children that the marital relationship has to be our number one human relationship.” (Dr. Debbie L. Cherry, from the book, “Child-Proofing Your Marriage”)
So go ahead; enjoy the fall season with your spouse! That’s what we’re doing. And if you need additional dating ideas, visit our Romantic Ideas section to find many, many additional choices for your dating pleasure.
— ADDITIONALLY —
To help you further, we give a lot of personal stories, humor, and more practical tips in our book, 7 ESSENTIALS to Grow Your Marriage. We hope you will pick up a copy for yourself. (It’s available both electronically and in print form.) Plus, it can make a great gift for someone else. It gives you the opportunity to help them grow their marriage. And who doesn’t need that? Just click on the linked title or the picture below:
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Filed under: Marriage Insights