Coffee Shop Goss Pottsville > Fingal - April | Page 13

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY Date Night Written by Greg Smalley Welcome to the Date Night Challenge from Focus on the Family, in which we’re challenging couples to go on three dates in three weeks — 21 days to a new habit! Of course, we hope you’ll see such a great value in a having a Date Night that it becomes part of your life as a couple. We’re convinced that this new habit will powerfully work to strengthen and enrich your marriage. To help make that a reality, we’re committed to providing you with fresh Date Night ideas that you can get here for free. With each new month, we will give you new creative Date Night ideas. We know for certain that the Date Night Challenge works! Our research tells us that 92 percent of couples who make Date Night a priority have increased satisfaction in their relationships. How refreshing! You know dating your spouse is good for your marriage. But in the midst of raising kids and balancing commitments, have you put dating on the back burner? It’s time to save the date! Do something fun together, just the two of you. The good news is that you don’t have to make elaborate plans or spend a ton of money to have a great time together. Take your cue from these creative ideas — compiled from a recent Focus on the Family Facebook contest. With these lowcost (or no-cost), easy-to-plan dates, you can make memories together without blowing your family budge Here are two ideas to get you thinking Coffee Q&A One evening my husband took me out on a surprise date. My wheels were turning trying to think of what he was up to when we pulled into Starbucks, ordered coffee and grabbed a table. I figured we would just sit and chat, catching up on each other’s day. To my surprise, he pulled out a stack of small cards and said we were going to play a little game. He had written a question on each card: What is something your spouse does very well but doesn’t know he does well? What is your favorite joke? What’s a childhood memory you’ll never forget? One of us would pull a card and read the question. Then the other would answer. We took turns reading and answering until we were at the bottom of the stack. We laughed. We dreamed. We reminisced. A cup of coffee, some 3x5 cards, and I can honestly say it was our best date ever! A Stroll Down Memory Lane My husband and I have two little ones, so we don’t get much time away together. One great way we enjoy couple time is by spending an evening at home with special food and memories. I make some of our favorite finger foods to enjoy after the kids go to bed. We lay a blanket on the floor, light a few candles and watch a home movie — our wedding, kids’ birthdays, family vacations. We also have old photo albums or yearbooks close by to continue the reminiscing and giggling! Remembering the happy moments, laughter and tears is the perfect way to reconnect and just be together. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission. www.families.org.au www.coffeeshopgoss.com.au > POTTSVILLE TO FINGAL > APRIL 2015 13