Taking Back Date Night

BY CINDY JONES

Whether you’ve only been dating a few months, you still have that honeymoon glow, or you’re like me and you’ve been married so long that offering your spouse a multivitamin is considered flirting, it’s important to spend some one-onone time connecting as a couple. So I crowdsourced with the magazine staff, some friends, even some random people on the internet. I present to you, 20 ways to take back date night!

Thrifty Theme Date

Sit down with your partner and Google up a few thrift shops, preferably a town or two away so neither of you are too familiar with the store’s layout. This is a date that can take on so many themes from silly, to creative, to romantic, and back again. You can pick out absurd outfits for one another and then wear them to get food. Another option is to find a vintage piece of furniture or a lamp to restore together for your home. My favorite spin on this idea is to set a dollar limit, split up, and pick out an item that reminds you of your partner, then go somewhere cozy for a bite to eat and reveal your gifts.

Walk, Talk & Explore

I love finding little historic districts in my city, parking at a church or a park and embarking on a slow stroll so I can really absorb all the unique features of the houses and the neighborhood itself. My husband and I have turned this concept into a date many times, and It’s amazing how a quiet walk through an unfamiliar subdivision or a trail you’ve never explored can really spark conversation. Bonus if there’s a little café or coffee shop or even a gas station where you can stop for a warm drink and some baked goods to top off your walk.

A Night at the Opera

My friends Bill and Diana Cobabe had their first date at the opera, and though I’ve never attended one myself, it sounds like magic! Bill explains that even people who might not choose to see an opera can enjoy the overall experience, from being surrounded by lavishly dressed people in a stunning setting, to the music and the pageantry. Theaters will often provide subtitles with operas so everyone can understand the plot. It’s a chance to dress to the nines with your partner and that’s always a way to spark romance and feel a little indulged. “Treat yourself to a nice dinner before you go and the whole evening is magical and memorable,” Bill says. He recommends Capitol Theater in Salt Lake City and Ellen Eccles Theater in Logan, which feature several operas throughout the year

Couples Game Night

This suggestion comes from Connection founders Ryan and Melissa Spelts, and I love it! Invite one or two other couples over, grab some snacks, bring out a few games that require partnering up and host a couple’s game night. This not only creates a fun environment where you can share solidarity and laughs with other couples, it gives you a chance to strengthen your united front. Trust me, you’re only going to get through parenting your teenagers if you’re on the same page.