After going through his very on Speed Dating session consisting of sixteen very different women and Parrish chooses a date for the night. While on his date, he encounters a surprise guest.
Date Night with the Mister/Missus
When we speak of dating, we're usually referring to the social mingling of the single set. I think it's just as important to spend some time talking about marital dating. (Just to be clear, I'm talking about dating your spouse, not dating others while you are married.)
It might feel counter intuitive to think about dating your spouse. Clearly, you've already done that well enough to mutually decide to spend the rest of your lives together. But for those of you who have been married a while, you know the toll time and familiarity can take on the romantic, playful side of your relationship. Restoring the lightness and joyfulness in your coupling is how and where basic dating comes back into play.
Don't let money, or lack of, keep you from spending some quality time with your significant other. An undisturbed movie date on the family room couch or a nightcap out on the deck can be just as romantic and enjoyable. Here are a few ways to rekindle your (married) dating life.
Mindful admiration: When you've been with someone for a while, the habits you once found endearing can become irritating. Combine familiarity with the stress and rush of family and work, and before you know it, you can't even remember why you found this person so fascinating. Take some time each day to be mindful about your mate and their positive and loving qualities, as well as their physical attributes that turn you on. It won't be long before you're back to feeling like one lucky so and so for having landed such a terrific partner.
Listen: When you've been listening to the same voice for years, your hearing can become conveniently selective. Tune back into your mate and start listening again with both your heart and ears. Stay in the moment and hear what they have to say, not just wait to have yours. Listening makes your spouse feel heard and supported, and it keeps you connected with each other's lives.
Flirt: Don't stop flirting with each other just because you're married. Again, playful flirting keeps the playful intimacy between you alive and well. It also provides a constant reminder to both you and your partner that you are loved and desired.
Rekindle a common interest: Remember when you both enjoyed watching a movie together and then discussing its merits over coffee or cocktails? What happened? Pull out those common interests and find time to pencil them into your respective calendars or find a new interest to explore together. Just like single dating, spending time together doing what you both enjoy keeps you wanting more.
Kissing: Kissing is so important. It is the most intimate of sex acts, but unfortunately, it's the first thing that gets pushed aside as sex becomes more goal-oriented. Bring back the kissing. Kissing helps maintain lighthearted affection in your relationship and is a true dating staple. Schedule some time for some old fashion make out sessions where sex was off the table to help rebuild the sexual tension between you.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and start dating!
When we speak of dating, we're usually referring to the social mingling of the single set. I think it's just as important to spend some time talking about marital dating. (Just to be clear, I'm talking about dating your spouse, not dating others while you are married.)
It might feel counter intuitive to think about dating your spouse. Clearly, you've already done that well enough to mutually decide to spend the rest of your lives together. But for those of you who have been married a while, you know the toll time and familiarity can take on the romantic, playful side of your relationship. Restoring the lightness and joyfulness in your coupling is how and where basic dating comes back into play.
Don't let money, or lack of, keep you from spending some quality time with your significant other. An undisturbed movie date on the family room couch or a nightcap out on the deck can be just as romantic and enjoyable. Here are a few ways to rekindle your (married) dating life.
Mindful admiration: When you've been with someone for a while, the habits you once found endearing can become irritating. Combine familiarity with the stress and rush of family and work, and before you know it, you can't even remember why you found this person so fascinating. Take some time each day to be mindful about your mate and their positive and loving qualities, as well as their physical attributes that turn you on. It won't be long before you're back to feeling like one lucky so and so for having landed such a terrific partner.
Listen: When you've been listening to the same voice for years, your hearing can become conveniently selective. Tune back into your mate and start listening again with both your heart and ears. Stay in the moment and hear what they have to say, not just wait to have yours. Listening makes your spouse feel heard and supported, and it keeps you connected with each other's lives.
Flirt: Don't stop flirting with each other just because you're married. Again, playful flirting keeps the playful intimacy between you alive and well. It also provides a constant reminder to both you and your partner that you are loved and desired.
Rekindle a common interest: Remember when you both enjoyed watching a movie together and then discussing its merits over coffee or cocktails? What happened? Pull out those common interests and find time to pencil them into your respective calendars or find a new interest to explore together. Just like single dating, spending time together doing what you both enjoy keeps you wanting more.
Kissing: Kissing is so important. It is the most intimate of sex acts, but unfortunately, it's the first thing that gets pushed aside as sex becomes more goal-oriented. Bring back the kissing. Kissing helps maintain lighthearted affection in your relationship and is a true dating staple. Schedule some time for some old fashion make out sessions where sex was off the table to help rebuild the sexual tension between you.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and start dating!
Consider this...
Lori Bryant-Woolridge is a sensuality coach and advocate for healthy, sensual lifestyles. An Emmy award-winning writer, she has authored three best selling novels.
