A Year of Dates (The Gift)

This past Christmas, I gave a special gift to my husband, a gift that will last the whole year. I came up with 15 dates that I thought would be fun. Some of the dates are couple dates, some family dates, and others can be done with other couples. I then went shopping for items to represent these dates. I came up with 15 because what if I couldn't find anything neat or interesting to represent one of the dates? I wanted to be prepared for the "what if"s", but once I found 12 items, I composed my list. I picked 1 date and assigned it to a month until all 12 months were covered. I then wrapped each gift individually and labeled it with the month in which it would be opened. I packed all the gifts into a picnic basket, and wrapped it.

On Christmas Day, Matthew unwrapped the basket, and opened it. On the inside, I had a note explaining my idea. I then had him open January's date. All other items will be opened on the 1st of the corresponding month.

I will blog about each date through out the year, but as you can already see, I'm behind in posting because it is now March, and we have had January and February dates. Matthew has been excited about opening these gifts each month. I have forgotten which date falls in each month, but I have my list in case I feel like I need to look to see what is coming up.

Dates Across the Big Pond

If you have read any of my other posts, you know that my husband travels a lot! So, when he is gone, I try to be creative on ways to keep in touch.

I love the Instagram App/Social Media. I decided to do something fun with it for Matthew on one of his long trips last fall since he uses it as well.  For those who aren't familiar with Instagram, it is a way to connect with friends and family through pictures.  You post a picture and then tell about it and share it.  I love to take photos of all kinds of things.  If you want to follow me, you can request to and you can find me under tracysdavison.

So this is my first pic which I typed in notes on my phone and then screenshotted it so I could post it on Instagram:

Lots of my friends got a kick out of the G rated disclaimer.

 

Here are my other days in order with the caption I put with them:

Day 1: I miss drinking an evening cup of coffee with you.

 

Day 2: I miss sitting in front of our electric heater with you on this cold day.

 

Day 3: I miss cooking with you.

 

Day 4: I miss walking downtown with you.

Day 5: I miss spending time with you and these people!

Day 6: I miss having you beside me while we hear about what God is doing through Gena in Scotland.

Day 7: I miss tucking these two in with you.

Day 8: I miss snuggling up to you in bed and watching Downton Abbey.

 

Just because we aren't in the same town, or even the same country, it doesn't mean that we can't have dates!  I love doing these cute things for Matthew, and I hope to share more ideas with you in the future that will help those who have a spouse who travels.



Why I am Writing this Blog

I decided to start this blog because I was looking for creative ideas for a date night with my husband, and I couldn't find anything!!!  I couldn't believe that women weren't writing about what they do with their husbands.  I know several women who plan special events for their husbands, and I thought maybe I should ask some of them to help me come up with a blog of ideas for dates with our husbands, and we may add in some family dates as well (Actually my first post is a family date.).

I believe as a Christian, I should be helping my marriage and family by planning dates for us that helps us to put the rest of the world aside and to focus on each other.  Before marriage, men are usually the ones that plan the dates and take us women on them, but after marriage, something happens.  The dates stop.  That is when I think that it is important for us as women to pick up the dating.  We need to sit down with our husband and decide how often we need to have a date, and then sit aside the days.  Some couples can have a date a week, others once or twice a month.  It will vary depending on your family.  Then as the wife, plan the date: plan a babysitter, the place, the time, etc.

I hope that some of the dates that my friends and I provide will help women to plan dates for their husbands and their families.