Beyond Netflix & Chill: Fun and Meaningful Date Night for Married Couples
When you were dating, building and creating a connection felt effortless. This connection, marked by excitement, curiosity, and frequent quality time together, was the foundation of your decision to continue dating and ultimately to get married. However, once married, many couples find that maintaining that connection becomes more challenging.
This shift occurs because the dynamics of the relationship change as responsibilities increase. Daily routines, work pressures, household chores, and possibly raising children can consume the time and energy that were once dedicated to nurturing the relationship. The novelty and spontaneity that characterized the dating phase can fade, replaced by the demands of everyday life. Communication may suffer, and without intentional effort to prioritize the relationship, you might feel disconnected.
This month’s date night is designed for you to reconnect and reminisce on your relationship.
Activity #1: Together create a Spotify playlist (you will use this later on in your date).
Compile a playlist of songs that have been significant in your relationship. Some ideas:
Milestone Songs
First Dance/Wedding Song
The song you danced to at your wedding.
The song that played during a memorable moment on your wedding day.
First Date Song
A song that was playing during your first date.
A song that was popular when you first started dating.
Engagement Song
A song that was playing during the proposal.
A song that reminds you two of your engagement period.
Everyday Moments
Morning Rituals
A song you often play in the morning to start your day.
A song that reminds you of lazy weekend mornings together.
Cooking Together
Songs you enjoy listening to while cooking or dining together.
A favorite song to dance to in the kitchen.
Travel and Road Trips
Songs that were on repeat during memorable road trips.
Music that reminds you two of specific vacations or adventures.
Special Occasions
Anniversaries
Songs that were played during anniversary celebrations.
A song that commemorates a special anniversary trip or event.
Holidays
Your favorite holiday songs.
Songs that remind you two of special holiday moments.
Love and Romance
Love Songs
Classic love songs that capture your feelings for each other.
A song that expresses your unique love story.
Dedication Songs
Songs you two have dedicated to each other over the years.
A song that includes lyrics that resonate with your relationship.
Fun and Upbeat
Dance Songs
Songs that get you two up and dancing, no matter where you are.
A song that was a hit at your wedding reception or parties.
Sing-Along Songs
Songs you two love to sing together, even if off-key.
A song that always makes you two laugh or smile.
Reflective and Meaningful
Reflective Songs
Songs that make you two think of how far you’ve come together.
A song that helped you two through tough times.
Growth and Change
Songs that reflect the growth and changes in your relationship.
A song that represents new beginnings or milestones.
Personalized Touches
Personal Favorites
Each other’s favorite song that the other loves too.
A song from a favorite band or artist you both enjoy.
Special Lyrics
Songs with lyrics that have special meaning or inside jokes.
A song that captures a shared dream or vision for the future.
Activity #2: Reminisce about your relationship/marriage. Take a few minutes to gather these items to help you:
Photo Albums: Collect photo albums or digital photo slideshows showcasing important moments from your relationship.
Videos: Gather home videos, wedding footage, or travel clips.
Letters and Cards: Bring out any love letters, cards, or notes exchanged over the years.
Keepsakes and Memorabilia: Collect items like wedding invitations, tickets from memorable events, or souvenirs from trips.
Memory Box: Include small items like pressed flowers, trinkets, or any sentimental items stored over the years.
Recipes: If you enjoy cooking, gather recipes for dishes that have special significance.
While reminiscing, talk about your favorite parts/memories. In addition, ask each other these questions:
Early Days
What was your first impression of me?
What do you remember about our first date?
When did you know you wanted to be together?
Milestones
What was your favorite moment from our wedding day?
What were you feeling when we bought our first home together?
Which trip or vacation do you remember the most fondly and why?
Challenges
What was a challenging time we overcame together?
How did we support each other during difficult times?
What lessons have we learned from our disagreements?
Everyday Moments
What everyday habit of mine makes you smile?
What little routines or rituals have been most meaningful to you?
What is your favorite memory of a quiet evening at home?
Growth and Changes
How do you think we've grown as individuals since we first met?
What changes in our relationship are you most proud of?
How have we influenced each other positively?
Special Memories
What is a funny memory that always makes you laugh?
What unexpected moment turned out to be incredibly special?
What is a surprise you planned that you were most excited about?
Future Planning Questions:
Goals and Dreams
What are some goals or dreams you still want to achieve together?
Where do you see us in five, ten, or twenty years?
What new experiences do you want to share?
Travel and Adventures
What new places do you want to travel to together?
Is there an adventure or activity you’ve always wanted to try as a couple?
What’s a new hobby or interest we could explore together?
Personal Growth
How can we support each other's personal growth and dreams?
What new skills or hobbies would you like to develop together?
How can we continue to grow closer and strengthen our bond?
Family and Home
What are your thoughts on expanding our family (if you have not already done so), or deepening connections with extended family?
How do you envision our home life evolving?
What changes or improvements would you like to make in our home environment?
Relationship Goals
What traditions or rituals would you like to start or continue?
How can we ensure we keep the romance and fun alive in our relationship?
What steps can we take to improve our communication and understanding of each other?
Health and Well-being
How can we support each other in leading a healthy lifestyle?
What activities can we do together to maintain our physical and mental well-being?
How can we make sure we have a balanced and fulfilling life together?
Legacy and Values
What values do we want to instill in our family or community?
How can we contribute to causes that are important to us?
What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind?
Activity #3: End the night by playing your new Spotify playlist and a slow dance in your living room.
Is your date night routine stuck on repeat (Netflix and takeout, anyone?)? Does it feel like the laughter and excitement have faded from your marriage?
You're not alone. Busy lives and routines can easily push romance to the back burner. But here's the good news: it doesn't have to stay this way!
Introducing the 14-Day Fun & Connection Challenge for Married Couples!
This is your chance to:
Break free from the rut and rediscover the joy of being together.
Spark laughter and playful connection with daily activities designed for couples.
Deepen your conversations through thought-provoking prompts that go beyond the daily grind.
Rekindle the spark and reignite the passion in your marriage.
Life is busy and it’s easy to get stuck in mundane routines, which is why we created this resource to help bring some laughter and fun back into your marriage. Some of these challenges take just 15 minutes while others can be mini-dates! Invest in your marriage with this fun challenge!