Words of Wisdom: Date Your Spouse

"Now that it's all over, what did you do yesterday that's really worth mentioning?"~Coleman Cox

I've really been pondering this question alot lately. What was the most important thing I did yesterday?

I did alot of things I considered important at the time:

~I listened to Grace read from her new book for 15 minutes.
~With Zane I played math bingo (4 times) and helped him do a few pages in a preschool workbook.
~I cuddled with Violet and read her favorite book to her, twice! "No David" was her choice. Maybe because she hears that alot from me?
~I had some one-on-one time with Hallie when I took her to get her physical.
~I hugged Hannah and told her I appreciated her (she did a boat-load of babysitting for me).
~I decided to surprise Curtis and change the headlight on the van (he got pulled over Friday night). And I did it. All by myself---no thanks to the 8 or so men that pulled in, parked, and walked right past me, in the auto parts store parking lot.

But I think the most important thing I did was go on a date with Curtis. As we drove to our destination (the movies, where else?) we started talking about Hallie and the fact that she will be dating age in a few months. I reminisced about my dating days and stated that I was always so excited getting ready for a date. I loved the anticipation, doing my hair, deciding what to wear, the moment when I answered the door for whomever my date was that evening, and the final moment of stepping into an undoubtedly borrowed car.

It was so thrilling. Then a realization hit me, I still get excited at the prospect of going on a date. I love getting ready, deciding what to wear (I can even wear white pants if I wanted to--but I don't. Who the heck wears white pants?!?!?), giving my kids last-minute do's and don't's, the final threats about what will happen if they fight while we are gone, and finally closing the door on the chaos and stepping into a quiet car.

It still is thrilling. I love it. I need it. Every week, just for an evening, I'm "dating" again. I learn about what makes my husband happy and what's stressing him out. I tell him I love him and appreciate all the things he does, and puts up with at work, for our family. We hold hands in public, and walk with our arms around each other. No little ones to keep track of, after all. We kiss in the car ;) and then drive home.

Home to the madness and fun. We hug our kids, re-energized. Re-connected. And still in love. Maybe even more.

Our kids need us to do that. Our kids deserve that from us. That's why we don't pay them to babysit (and why we can go out every week--because we aren't paying for it). They are helping strengthen our home and family by their act of service.

It's a win-win for all. Except maybe for whoever had to change Violet's poopy diaper. Gross!

Anyhow, email your husband a picture of yourself and ask him out. It's thrilling. And it's vital.

Last week I emailed this picture to Curtis while he was at work. He liked it. Alot :)

(in a sing-song voice) "You should try it!"