1 Simple Date to Plan Today

I don’t know about you, but when I think of the “traditional” date – dinner and a movie…I feel a whole new sense of overwhelm. It means I need to:

Compare the ball schedule, the dance rehearsal, the church activities

Find an available evening

Call/text a babysitter

Wait for the babysitter to respond

Select the restaurant

Make the reservation for dinner

Choose a movie that we would both enjoy…

And I think to myself, forget it – it’s just not worth it!

One thing I’ve learned as a wife is IT IS SO WORTH IT!  

The key is to keep the goal – of creating connection with your husband – at the forefront of your mind. This doesn’t mean you have to leave the house or even get a sitter.

Creating connection with your husband can happen at home.

Late one afternoon, many years ago, into my overworked brain an idea quietly crept in. I gathered our four kids (ranging in age from 2-13) around an ice cream sandwich informing them that I had an idea about a date for Dad and me.  Knowing I hadn’t called a sitter, they were curious.

Our discussion began:  I’ll need your help; there is so much to do.  After sharing my idea, their excitement mushroomed with additional plans and suggestions to help create a “perfect” date.   Let’s call it Dining Room Date, one suggested. Setting the table, creating a centerpiece, designing a handwritten menu, and a little cooking help were a few of the assignments made.  Each one had a job, and as the afternoon turned to evening, they had added a plan for entertainment and a special sign for our honored guest. Dressed in their Sunday best, our hostesses met Frank at the door ushering him to our seldom-entered dining room.  They served, they entertained; then not-so-quietly they retreated to their movie/popcorn evening in the basement.

An hour and a half of blissful, uninterrupted husband and wife conversation!   We agreed – it was the BEST DATE EVER!

Get creative.  Involve the kids.  Have fun. Date night success may just happen in your own dining room.  

You don’t have to be a Pinterest wife/mom to be a Proverbs 31 wife/mom!

“She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, And keeps them all busy and productive.  Her children respect and bless her; Her husband joins in with words of praise: Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all.”

Proverbs 31:27-30 The Message

Wife Step: Grab the kids, make it fun, and assign “jobs” such as photographer, table decorator, server, entertainer, hostess, etc. Mark your calendar for your Dining Room Date!

Take a picture to remind all: Mom and Dad love each other and value time together!  Plant those seeds of a Godly marriage now!

What would a regular Dining Room Date do for your marriage?

Saying yes to Jesus in walking by faith has charted an unexpectedly challenging, joy-filled journey for Susan Wilder. From preschool teacher to writer, speaker, blogger, her sweetest moments come through encouraging women to seek God first and realize the hope we have in following Jesus. Tender love for her husband, Frank, daughters Katie, Kellie, and Mollie, son Clay, sons-in-law Chris, Tim and Tolliver drive her hobbies of cooking and reading. The title of Mimi to four grandboys is more precious than ever imagined. Just ask, she’ll tell you all about them. Susan currently serves as the Women’s Ministry Leader at Southeast Christian Church (Crestwood Campus) in Louisville, Kentucky.  You can find and follow Susan at her blog, By Faith And Coffee.