Date Night
A
couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in the chapel at church and sacrament had
just started when it was announced from the pulpit that there would be a
women’s conference taking place the following Friday. A friend of mine tapped
me on the shoulder from behind and then leaned over and whispered, “Are you
going to the conference? We should get a group of friends together and then
hang out afterwards.”
“Yeah,
I’m not sure that I’m going to attend that.”
She
looked surprised.
I’m sorry,” I continued with an
apologetic expression.
“Really?
It will be a great thing to attend. Very uplifting,” she said, giving me a
funny look, probably because I’m a regular at these types of activities.
“Friday
night is my date night,” I explained, “and I hold to that.”
By
this time, sacrament meeting was in full swing, and there was no time to
explain my comments. I’m sure my friend thought my reaction was abrupt. After
all, she was only trying to extend an invitation to a spiritually uplifting and
enriching activity. She probably wondered why I couldn’t make an exception and
switch my date night to another night. I wish there had been time to explain my
point of view, but alas, there wasn’t. Looking back, I’m not sure what my
friend thought of that odd conversation, but it got me thinking about the
importance of that sacred occasion I call date night.
My
husband and I are coming up on our 26th wedding anniversary. It
seems hard to believe that we’ve been married that long because in many ways,
it feels like we’re only just begun our adventure together. While we’ve lived
many different places and experienced varied lifestyles and cultures, one thing
has remained a constant—our date nights.
Friday
night is our night—the time when we put aside all of the other demands that life
heaps on us and focus on the two of us and what it means to be a couple. I look
forward to this time and find myself getting a little giddy on Friday morning
as I think about whatever fun activity we have planned. During that one
evening—that short blip of time—we become teenagers who are experiencing
the bliss of young love all over again. It may sound corny, but that’s how it
is.
I’ve
come to learn that due to my hectic, crazy schedule that never slows down, I
must constantly guard this time. Things come up, and other people’s wants and
needs—however well intentioned they are—will hijack our night if we let them. I
can’t always explain my reasoning to others, and they may not understand, but
I’ve come to terms with that. I
choose to put my relationship with Patrick first, knowing that everything else
will work itself out … or not, and that’s okay.
A
close friend of mine is holding a virtual summit where successful women
entrepreneurs share their happy marriage secrets. She interviewed a series of
women to find out what works for them, and I was honored to be among them. The
summit goes through February 12th and offers a wealth of valuable information
and tips.
To learn more about the summit,
visit Ignitepoint