Restaurants are not just for eating, they are for connecting
Who DOESN’T enjoy a nice date to a restaurant? I’m sure we all do. But the problem comes in when we don’t tune into our spouse. We live a life of being connected to the world around us and struggle to disconnect. So even on a specific date night when you have gone to the trouble of securing a sitter and making reservations it can still be a struggle to focus on the number two relationship in your life. (Number one is God, number two is your spouse).
I can see all of the heads nodding in agreement that this is difficult, and it drives a wedge in your relationship whether you realize it or not. It is all too easy to let other things pull our attention away from each other. Your spouse may feel unheard, second best, and unimportant. How do you combat that little problem of disconnecting from the world and reconnecting with your spouse while on a dinner date? I’m so glad you asked!
Location, Location, Location
Order one appetizer and share it. Still hungry? Order one meal and share it. Still hungry? Order one dessert and share it. Restaurant portions are huge! Brian and I often share whatever we order. We don’t even ask for separate plates because we are sitting side by side. This makes sharing our food simple, enjoyable, and fun!
Phones Down
Yes, you read that right. Make a deal with each other that you will not check your phones UNLESS it is the sitter. You may even leave one of your phones in the car and only pick up the other one if the sitter calls or texts. No kids at home? Leave them BOTH in the car. This is so important as it is distracting to check all texts, missed calls, FB, game scores, etc. Doing this stops good communication from happening, which is the point of date night!
Gottman Card Decks App
This app is on your phone that you should not be using! HA! Ok, so this is permissible because the intention behind using this app. We used this one night at a restaurant while sitting side by side in the booth sharing our food and had an engaging and fulfilling conversation! The app is full of conversation starters including open ended questions, connections, appreciation, “I feel” statements, and even sex questions. You have the opportunity to ask each other questions, get to know one another again as you did when you were dating, laugh, and strike up great conversations. The goal is strengthening communication, and this is an interactive way to do it. Don’t want to use the app? That’s just fine! This is just a suggestion to get the conversations going.
Now, Let's Get Going
So, get that sitter for the little ones. Make the reservation for a good eatery. And just go for it with the purpose being reconnection and communication!
Before You Go, Check Out Our Date Night Ideas
We have taken the work out of trying to figure out some fun and creative Date Night Activities. Our page is filled with some great ideas, so try one or try them all.
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