Great Dates Globe

This movie is all about getting to know someone. Discuss: è Scene 1: “90% of what you’re saying, ain’t coming out of your mouth.” Hitch is trying to teach relational concepts to the men he his helping. He expresses that body language is very important. Do you have good body language in your relationship? Where can you improve? è Scene 1: “Listen to what she is saying.” This is another piece of advice that is given from the “expert”. How are your verbal communication skills and listening skills in your marriage? When we are with the same person for so long, after awhile things become lax; we are comfortable with who we are and who they are, but we begin to focus less on that other person. Days go on and we all change and grow. Making it a priority to listen to one another is important so that we may know our companions. è Scene 3: “It’s so beyond anything physical.” Hitch’s Brother-in-law is talking about the depth of love that is present when you fully invest in s...

Date night! Sometimes it is just tough to get out and do something. Time to cozy up and watch Marley & Me together. Use these questions to spark great conversation that can lead to better connection and the spark you need to re-implement good practices into your marriage. New Love è Scene 1: After marrying, John and Jenny moved to Florida. They are very lovey as they pursue their careers. “Who are you?   You are John Freakin’ Grogan, who is about to get a job…” In what ways can you keep the love alive in your marriage? è How can you keep friendship in your marriage, even when struggles come? è Scene 31: When burying Marley, Jenny puts her “start of the family” necklace that Marley once ate. She expresses publicly (in front of the children) that the family had already begun, when she got the necklace (Marley was part of the family). What are some of your favorite memories from the beginning of your relationship/marriage? How can you make your spouse feel rare an...

My husband LOVES when I just want to watch him "in the zone" of his hobbies. He finds it very attractive. A perfect date to him would be where I went outside to where he has all of his "toys" and watched him "tinker" with his tools. He would build a new contraption by cutting and welding metals together and I would look very quizzical. Explaining how or why he is doing something or how something works is also something he loves. I love watching him in his element, too. Another great part to this kind of date is when I might try my hand at these things he is expertly inclined for. One night a couple weeks ago, after the kids were in bed, I joined him in the yard as he was finishing up a trailer he was building. I grabbed his second welding hood and was handed his square pad to kneel on so that I could get up close and watch his welding techniques. I had my knees in about the center of this smooth, leather pad. When the sparks started flying, I started sc...

I feel like I can hardly remember my wedding day. There was so much excitement, but also so many places to be...it went by fast. I am so grateful to have pictures from that day. Cuddle up on the couch for date night and pull out your wedding album...or the file on your computer... (guilty of not really having any printed yet...almost 5 years later) and reminisce on that day. Tell each other the different thoughts and feelings you remember or things that people said to you on that day. Marriage Reconnect Reminiscing on your wedding day is sure to bring back all the wonderful feelings of fresh love. Resolve to be a little more loving to your spouse. Think of them first---when you get up in the morning, what can you do to serve them and show them love?

Seriously though, if you are an ice cream fan or human you probably love homemade ice cream. I am pretty much ice cream's biggest fan and my husband really enjoys eating ice cream with me. We have some great late night conversations over ice cream. If you are running short on time or energy for a date night, homemade ice cream and chatting on the porch is a fantastic idea. You can get creative with your add-in's if you'd like. Create your own peanut butter and chocolate ice cream or strawberry...really you could think of SO many options. Marriage Reconnect A great discussion to have while you are relaxing together is about hot topics or things that tend to bring up the stress between the two of you. I don't mean discuss these things for date night, but rather make a plan for when these topics can and should be brought up. I have this nasty habit of throwing a pie in my husband's face the second he walks in the door after work (figuratively).  Though I know...

Surely you have lines from your favorite movies down by heart. My husband will attest to me quoting Finding Nemo at very least weekly since he has known me. Not to say that is my all time favorite movie, but scenes and words sometimes really stick with us. Have you ever thought of getting into acting? Tonight is your night to practice...both of you.  This is sure to bring out some laughs and smiles. Life sometimes becomes so serious and it is hard to find the time or even know how to break loose with each other. You could even do this at the park at dusk...que dramatic lighting. If you need to, print off some lines or refresh your memory by watching some clips of your favorite scenes. Record each other as you act out these parts. Be dramatic! 1.       “….such playfulness is extremely good for relationships. What does it require? A willingness to turn toward another’s sense of silliness, give oneself over to the moment, and have a little bit...

Massage night! Who doesn't love getting a massage? OK, so I guess some people don't, but I am almost positive you or your spouse does...so just enjoy each other's company and help relieve the tension build up in their back, shoulders, face or any place they need massaging. Marriage Reconnect Podcasts are a big thing these days. Most people are tuning in to some kind of podcast or listening to audio books. Tonight try a direct focus on marriage. Linked here are some great options for marriage podcasts. Choose one that sounds interesting and listen together. You will be able to have a great conversation from what you learn together.

Swimming can be some of the best summer fun in Arizona. Leave the kids behind with friends or a babysitter and head to the local pool as a couple. When married and as parents it can be hard to relax when around water, so here's a chance to just have fun. Have swim competitions, coolest jump off the diving board, really anything you can think of. The Miami Hostetler Pool is a great place to get in some swim time and enjoy the sun! When you are all done with the fun in the sun, go right down the street to Soda Pops for some ice cream and old fashioned soda! Marriage Reconnect Do you see your spouse as a safe place? Can you talk to them about things that worry you and bother you? Open up and be in a judgement free zone. It is such a great thing to be able to be completely vulnerable within marriage. Lift each other up and encourage. Just listen and only offer advice if it is asked for. 

Have you ever caught crawdads? Look it up and decide on a method of how you want to go about getting them. You are going to want to be able to catch enough to have a little fry and enjoy them! Head out to Roosevelt Lake and hangout while trying to catch crawdads. One hot summer night we were out there wading only about knee deep, but had a great time catching them by hand....I may or may not have just observed the whole "catching" part.  😆 Marriage Reconnect It's so cool that there is a lake close where you can enjoy different types of recreation. Get out at night and enjoy looking up at the stars. Remember to live in the moment. This is something that is hard to do with the day in and day out monotonousness of life, but it is probably something that you and your spouse enjoyed doing when you were first together.

Who doesn't love a good picnic date? There are so many directions to go on this date. Head up Pinal Mountain if you want some fresh mountain air or head out towards Roosevelt to be surrounded by saguaros. All that matters is that you are with your honey and you brought some good food to enjoy. There is something so refreshing about just relaxing in the sunshine with nothing to do but talk, eat, and enjoy good company. Marriage Reconnect Of course you know your spouse, but sometimes it is fun to reacquaint ourselves. Here is a list of questions you can ask each other that may help to spark meaningful conversations:  https://www.famifi.com/25799/50-questions-to-ask-your-spouse-on-date-night-that-can-strengthen-your-marriage

Spice up your date with this game. It's time to be lip locked. Is it possible to kiss your husband or wife too much? No, just no. That is not even a question. At the start of your date, make some rules. You need a list of trigger words and topics that if brought up will = kisses. You want there to be a lot of random kissing! PDA please! Some time during your date play the following game: You need to have a full conversation without your lips parting. So talk and kiss at the same time. You're Welcome!