When you have kids and crazy schedules, finding time for your spouse can sometimes seem impossible. This happens to us ALL the time! It can be difficult while in the rhythm of our daily routines and rush, rush, rushing everywhere to stop and slow down and remember who we’re doing life with. It’s important to remember that time together is precious and should be one of the top priorities on your list. If it’s difficult to plan a night out on the town, our solution: at home date nights!

All About Priorities

Sadly, it took me a long time to realize that our time together should be a top priority and I used to think we could never find the time because of our schedules. Work dominated our lives and took up all our time so we weren’t really left with anything for each other. But I eventually realized that everyone has the same amount of time in the day, it’s all about priorities. We do have a choice in how we spend our time and we could make it work just fine if we really tried and put each other first. But it can be easier said than done.

How We Do Date Night

One thing we started doing, especially during this season of COVID when things were mostly shut down, is our date nights at home! When summer begins and that warm sun comes out, we like to convert our back patio into a romantic night in that feels like a private night out! All we need is a clean and simple dinner, a fire to keep the nightly chill away, an iPad with a movie cause we are HUGE movie fans, and a super yummy summer dessert!

This dessert was AMAZING by the way and super easy to make! It only took two ingredients. Yup, just two! A box of angel food cake mix and a full 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple, juice and all. That’s it! Here’s the full recipe!

Two Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake: https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/two-ingredient-pineapple-angel-food-cake/334f7a77-4252-4302-9716-09c764975d95

I let some sugar sit on a bowl of sliced strawberries and topped this with whipped cream – almond milk whipped cream for me since I can’t have dairy anymore. (Yes, it’s actually really good and I can’t tell much difference.) We always have our own bottle of spray whipped cream ever since I had to switch and I don’t think Anthony minds at all!

Backyard Movie Nights!

We also used to do backyard movie nights in the summer too! It was SOOOO much fun! Anthony scored a projector screen from a sporting good store that was going out of business that was used with a golf simulator. He made his own screen out of pvc pipe and a huge piece of white fabric. It’s one of our favorite things about summer! Drag a small love seat into the yard or blow up and air mattress (we’ve done) both, and you’ve got a super romantic backyard date night! My favorite was when Anthony set it all up the night after the 4th of July one year. We laid out on an air mattress and cuddled up with a movie. We had a background of fireworks that were lit off in our neighborhood all around us! Major props to my hubby!

If you haven’t done it before, try setting up a date night at home this month! Have the kids stay with a friend or family member, plan a simple (or elaborate if you’re feeling it) meal and just be with each other without distractions or devices. You’ll love it! Don’t forget to always keep dating your spouse!

Other than fall, summer is my favorite season! Take a look at some new traditions we started this year!

https://joniloraine.me/2020/09/11/family-summer-fun/