Read Together

Photo Courtesy of imagerymajestic at freedigitalphotos.net

Talk to your spouse and find out what genre of book they may be interested in reading with you. Then, go to your local library and find a good book to read in that genre. Take turns reading a chapter a night before you retire to bed. Reading a book together can help you learn something new or take you to another world. On occasion, get dessert before reading. 

Photo Courtesy of Maggie C. from Foursquare at yelp.com

The Cheesecake Factory in Washington Square offers some tasty treats (more than just cheesecake) that will satisfy your sweet tooth! Visit their website here for menu options, times, and pricing. 

Relationship Reconnection:

Reading together will often inspire new thoughts and conversations which will serve to deepen your relationship. Take time to stop and ask each other questions or to comment on what you've been reading. When it's time to put the book down snuggle up to your spouse and thank them for taking time to read with you.

Love Doesn't Cost a Thing

Photo Courtesy of photostock at freedigitalphotos.net

This date can be done in any zip code! It is all about taking the time to remember why you first fell in love. We all know that as our day to day lives get more hectic, it can be crazy to try and find time for one another. We also know that continually dating your partner is a crucial aspect to any relationship. How can we find time to do this? Where can we find the resources? For this date, take time to think of things that your spouse may enjoy. Think of free and simple ideas for dates. Come together and collaborate. Yes, a date planning date. Taking this time offers the opportunity for fun and simple conversation. It pulls the focus from every day life back onto your relationship. This blog is a great place for ideas as well! ;)

Event at the Moda Center

Photo Courtesy of ponsuwan at freedigitalphotos.net

All year long the Moda Center is host to some of the biggest names in the business. Visit their website here to see all of the upcoming artists, games, shows, and attractions. Then, order tickets for you and your spouse and get set for a night of entertainment and fun! Don't want to hassle with parking? Take the MAX train in - it lets you off right next to the center. But, be sure and leave some time to stop somewhere along the way for dinner. The Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery is right next to the MAX off of Morrison and SW 2nd Avenue. It offers delicious steaks, burgers, and other American fare that will make your mouth happy you stopped! You can check out their menu here. 

Relationship Reconnection: 

Get to the concert early. Take some time to talk to your spouse about their favorite music. If you could go to any concert (past or present) what one would it be? Or what was the first album that you ever remember buying? 

ComedySportz Portland

Photo Courtesy of photostock at freedigitalphotos.net

Looking for some clean entertainment? ComedySportz Portland is a fun, entertaining, and hilarious show filled with audience participation and improv comedy. Here's how it works: There are two teams battling against one another with a mediating referee. Team members pick a challenge, and the audience helps give ideas. Laughter ensues. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Doors open at 7:30pm. Make sure you purchase tickets online here before the show - sometimes it's sold out, plus, you'll get better seats. 

Relationship Reconnection: 

On your way home from the show talk about the things that bring you the most joy and happiness in life. Reminisce about some of the funniest moments you have shared together. We all know that laughter is the best medicine, and sharing these moments with your partner is even better!

Portland Art Museum

Photo Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

Come learn more about art with your significant other! There is bound to be something fun for each you to do while you visit. Look at all the art and pick one that intrigues you the most. Show your spouse, and explain why you picked it, and what impacts you from this piece of work. For hours and pricing visit their website here.

Relationship Reconnection:

When you go back home look up the history of the artist or the painting and learn about the roots. What does this tell you about your own origin? Share what you find with your spouse and take time to learn about the painting that intrigued them the most. Spending time learning about your spouses' interests will deepen the respect they have for you as they realize just how committed you are to them. 

Fondue for Two

Photo Courtesy of Aduldej at freedigitalphotos.net

Any chocolate lovers out there? I personally love any reason that allows me to indulge in my chocolate addiction!

There may be some weeks that date night seems virtually impossible and time seems to be granted to everything except for you and your spouse. These weeks are hard and often associated with stress, but if you are willing to find the time, it will present itself. This is a date night for one of those crazy weeks where it seems like nothing will go right and time is against you!

If you don't have a fondue fountain, don't worry, that just makes it fancy and a little harder to clean up - a bowl will work just fine :) For this date night, all it takes is a simple quick trip to the store for some melting chocolate in the flavor that you desire, and some little snacks for the dipping! Once you have all of this ready, it takes almost no time to melt the chocolate, prep the snacks, and be on your way to a relaxing, chocolate-dipping filled night!

Don't Forget To Reconnect!

One of my favorite things to do when I get some downtime with my spouse it to just talk and see where the conversation leads us, and this date night provides the opportune time to do that. Get the fondue all melted and ready and start snacking together, and then just start talking, either about your week or something that happened that day. Just get the juices flowing and see where the conversation leads. I have found that it is times like these that we come back to evaluating our goals and where we see ourselves now and later and how to get there. It can be very rewarding to just talk and listen to our spouse, to help them feel appreciated especially when things seem like they won't slow down and wait for us!

P.S. ..... If you need some ideas of what to dip into the chocolate, here are some of my favorites!
- Marshmallows
- Potato chips
- Fruit (strawberries, bananas, blueberries, apples, grapes, melons, etc.)
- Rice krispie treats or some variation of cookie
- Candy pieces

Don't worry about the calories, worry about the connection! :)

Multnomah Falls

Photo Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

Plan an outing to stunning Multnomah Falls, east of Portland off of I-84. Known for its grandeur and beauty, Multnomah Falls inspires the romantic in each of us. Weather permitting, you can hike up to the top of the falls (be prepared, it is a fairly challenging hike, so bring good shoes and a water bottle) and look down to the bottom of the falls from a look-out spot. Have your picture taken with your spouse on the bridge over the falls, then stop by Multnomah Falls Lodge (located on the property) for lunch or dinner. For information about the falls, check out this website here.

Relationship Reconnection:

While you're out and about in nature, take time to talk about some of the sacrifices you've noticed one another making for your relationship.  Research has shown that perceiving ones partner as making a sacrifice increases trust, which in turn increases commitment to the relationship.  Appreciating each other and the sacrifices made can help you appreciate one another more and help you reconnect.