One Last Post - I saved the best for last

I've had a lot of blogging ideas this week, but haven't taken the time out to actually blog them.  Tonight is a very laid back night at our house, so I'm taking advantage of it to catch up on several of the things I wanted to share.  I mostly blog about our family and the kids, but I don't know if I've ever really taken time out to blog about Justin, or Justin and I, or our marriage.  It's long overdue!

Justin and I undoubtedly had our ups and downs in dating.  We broke up for the better part of a year after I graduated college.  We both said to ourselves that if we ever got back together, it would only be if we knew it was "for real".  We tried dating other people.  We spent time single.  We learned A LOT.  A LOT A LOT.

Most importantly, I learned Justin is my other half.  I don't care how cheesy it is - he completes me in a way that I can't imagine any other person could.  We are similar, but we have differences and our differences compliment each other so well.  He relaxes me when I need it.  I give him a firm kick in the butt when he needs it.  I don't know that I ever envisioned marriage would truly be this much of a cohesive partnership - but it is.  And I love being married, absolutely love it!

If we want your marriage to grow, we have to put in a lot of time together.  This may not be true for everyone, but for us is really really really is.  We took the test in the book "The Five Love Languages" to see what each of our love languages is...and then we kinda read the book (ok, we read the first few pages of the book).  We both scored VERY high in quality time together - followed closely by acts of service for me and the ever obvious physical touch for Justin.  Words of affirmation weren't really strong for either of us and I think we both scored a big fat ZERO on receiving gifts.  It's nice that we speak love the strongest in the same language - makes showing our love for one another pretty stinkin' easy sometimes.

Now granted, we are only coming up on four years of marriage in June, but it's been a very eventful few years and a lot of stressful things have happened, so I'm pretty damn proud of us for all the adjustments we've made and how much stronger we've become as a couple.  I wanted to share one of the biggest ways we've found to help keep our marriage strong and to help it grow - Date Night IN.

Yes, that's right - date night IN.  Once a week too.  We put the kids to bed, cook up a delicious meal at home, watch a movie or play a game, and enjoy each other's company.  Sure, it would be nice to go out on a date once a week (or even once a month), but that's insanely expensive, especially when you have to pay a baby-sitter $10/hour.  Besides, our kids go to bed at 7:30, so the night is still young!  The biggest key to the night is that you really have to put aside all the other distractions (computer, chores, etc) and focus on time together.

If you're married - whether you're newly weds or been at it for 20 years - I recommend it!  It's our favorite night of the week!