Dating

On Tuesday night, my husband took me on a date. We went out for whatever I wanted to eat, which at the time was nachos from Taco Bell, then we drove to the park, and watched the sunset. Now this may not sound romantic or anything to some of you, but for me, it was the best. My husband and I were long overdue for a "date-night". I don't know how it happened, but lately we feel like we're in the dating stage again. We call each other at work every day 50 times each just to say, "I love you" or "I miss hearing your voice" or "I can't wait to see you again". I know, I know, some of you are gagging now, but for others, this is an important aspect of marriage. We have almost been married for a year now and of course, it has just flown by to us. When we were newleyweds though, we looked at other couples who had been married for a year or two and they had already progressed to the "professional stage" which we told ourselves we would never reach. This is the stage where you start taking your spouse for granted and start doing things and saying things just because you're married. Your "I love you's" no longer have meaning behind them and you stop trying to impress your mate or win them over and start putting yourself first in a sense and kind of just get lazy. Now, don't get me wrong, there also comes a time when you're married for six months or so and you then finally ease completely into it and get wonderfully comfortable with the other person and things aren't so awkward. You begin to learn their habits and mannerisms and you fit together more and it is just plain comfy and great. We didn't want to get to the stage where we are seen everywhere without the other one, we don't hold hands in public anymore, and we stop showing affection in front of our friends. Who ever said when you get married you have to stop doing this? I don't know, but it happens. It's almost like you get bored with each other and you almost feel kind of stuck. Not like a panic type of stuck, just like a "Well, doesn't look like we're going anywhere new and exciting for awhile." I guess I could describe it like driving down a straight road in the middle of New Mexico. Or worse, Texas, no WORSE, Arkansas! Boring, flat boring. Then you cross on over into Arizona and you start getting into some bigger hills and eventually you hit California where there's a million things to do and life never stops, it's always an adventure! My advice to all you married folks out there would be to always make it an adventure. Never stop trying to impress your mate, flatter them, or win them over. Always be quick to give them compliments, say "I love you" all the time, not just when it's expected, be affectionate in public, and whatever you do, don't take each other for granted! The best advice I ever heard was from our pastor, "Go back to the things you did at first." Until next time........love, love, love.