Who ever said that you should stop dating after you get married? Obviously, your partner options should be limited to one other person at this point, but that doesn’t mean you can’t deliver the same special love and attention you use to shower on them when you were dating.

It’s often recommended to continue to “date” your spouse right into your married years. Here are a few of the reasons why.

Why Date Your Spouse?

The idea of dating is fairly simple. At the heart of it, dating is simply spending time specifically investing in, interacting with, and learning about another person.

This can come from a trip to the movies, a romantic dinner with the best sushi in Cincinnati, backpacking in Europe, or even a quiet evening in. The point isn’t about the activity. It’s about the intimacy.

That’s why dating matters when you’re married more than ever. By dating your spouse, you show that you’re invested in them. This can help to cement your relationship and keep you close, whether you’re sorting through the first year of marriage or halfway to your golden anniversary.

Along with investing in one another, dating your spouse also yields several other benefits. For instance, it can reduce stress — another important first-year factor.

On top of that, dating your spouse can help you disconnect from work and focus on your home life. Dating can also improve your sex life, which has been known to improve happiness and even satisfaction at work.

How to Date Your Spouse

As already mentioned, the activity isn’t as important as the effort here. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to come up with date ideas when you’re always going out with the same person.

If you’re struggling to find inspiration, here are a few suggestions to help spark your creativity.

Visit Old Haunts

One of the simplest ways to re-spark your dating life is to relive it. If you haven’t been on a date with your spouse in a long time, dig back through your scrapbooks or old phone photos and think of the places you used to visit before you were married. Revisit those favorite spots together and reminisce about the early days of your relationship, when everything felt new and exciting. Taking a trip down memory lane can help you reconnect and bring back the romance that first brought you together. Let those cherished memories inspire a fresh appreciation for the journey you’ve shared.

Then, just like those classic family photos where the group gets back together in the same place for the same shot years later, go on those dates all over again. You can do this with your favorite haunts as well as one-off dates that you know you enjoyed.

Go for a Long Walk

What’s the old dating profile line again? “I’m so-and-so, and I like to go for long walks on the beach.” Once you’re married, you don’t need to use cheesy pick-up lines like that to find someone. Instead, you can use the opportunity to actual cash in on some of those long walks.

Look for a local beach, trendy downtown boulevard, or even a nearby hiking trail where you can walk together. You can use the time to talk and take in the sights. The best part is, you’re even getting some good exercise while you’re at it.

Look for Common Interests or Tasks

Another way to spark some date ideas is to step back and consider areas that you’re both passionate about. If you’re both into Marvel movies, plan out a full-blown marathon. Get on-theme snacks, set up a cozy area, and snuggle up while you watch movies all day long.

You can even use this concept with responsibilities at times. Say, for instance, you’re both trying to lose weight and get in shape. Rather than splitting off into your own exercise routines, set something up together.

Go for a jog, rent some kayaks, or do a fitness program. By joining forces, you’re able to spend time together and you even get extra workout accountability thrown into the deal.

Keep Things Simple

No one said that because it’s a date it has to be complicated. In fact, often one of the best ways to truly show that you love your spouse is simply investing in a nice date night within the confines of your own home.

You can set up a movie night, play some card games like Solitaire, Uno, and Poker, have food delivered, or even make your own culinary masterpiece. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can set up a tent outside or even have an indoor campout.

By putting in the effort to set up an at-home date night, you show two things. First, that you’re willing to invest in your relationships. Second, that you want to spend quality, uninterrupted time with your spouse.

Dating Your Spouse for the Long Haul

Dating is a fun activity, and it’s one that shouldn’t stop with your wedding vows. On the contrary, at that point, you don’t have to go through the rigamarole of finding someone to date.

You already know your spouse, and you’re aware of the fact that they’re willing to spend time with you to the point of actually living with you. So re- park that old joy, get her the best flowers in Miami
Beach and set up some dates with your spouse. And don’t stop with one or two, either. Make it a lifelong activity that celebrates your marriage in perpetuity.