Did you know that the divorce rate in the United States is nearly 40-50% of marriages? While I think that’s a crazy high number….I totally get it! Prior to having kids, every activity Joe and I did was pretty much he and I.  We had ample amounts of time to sit and talk.  We got to go walk together, we got to watch TV together, we vacationed together.  Life was pretty much work/school and then us being together.

Then rolls in parenthood….

It’s no longer just Joe and I. And while I have nothing against my dear children, their added dynamic completely shifted Joe and my relationship. Our conversations shifted from what we were feeling and how we were doing, to who needed to pick up what kid where and who was doing laundry. At the end of the day, we’re both mentally taxed and our conversations than revolve over the details of the next day.

But I don’t know if you’re like me, but I’m already looking forward to the future….

Some day my dear sweet children will no longer be living here.  I won’t be responsible for where to pick them up.  I won’t be juggling their soccer practice, homework, and daycare drop offs.  And it will be Joe and I once again.  Now tell me, if we spent 20ish years ONLY talking about the details of life, where do you think we’ll be when we no longer need to talk about those details?

But how do we connect right now?

Statistics show that time spent together substantially increases marriage satisfaction (click here for some deets on that). But I’m an introvert….and a night out isn’t always the most appealing to me.  I certainly crave the connection but the hassle of finding a sitter, going out, figuring out what to do….it’s not something I want to do on a consistent basis. BUT I certainly want the consistent connection.

In walks date night in box

For the last few months, we’ve been getting a #datenightinbox delivered to our door.  There’s no planning needed cause everything’s all in the box. (See pictures below to see the box we got this month).

We’ve been able to get silly together, talk, show each other gratitude, and make time to be intentional towards each other.  And you know me, I’m all about intentionality. Last year we set a goal to have a date night once a month, and being totally honest, we weren’t very good about it. Life happens. But going forward, 2018 is going to be the year we are intentional about connecting and spending more time together. Cause I want to divorce proof our marriage the best I can. I don’t want to leave our relationship to chance.

and the final key step

Whatever you do this year, be sure to show more gratefulness and intentional investment into your relationship.  Think positively about your spouse EVEN when he does something that drives you bonkers.  Your energy will shift when you become grateful for him….your conversations will shift.  Your actions will shift. And then…..you will seal your relationship for the long haul.

PS- If you’d like a discount code on Date Night in Box, click here and use code: ONEFREE to get a free box on 3, 6, or 9 month subscriptions.