Just Because You’re Married, It Doesn’t Mean You Should Stop Dating Your Wife

When I first met her she was a beautiful breathe of fresh air that I was drawn towards, like a moth to a flame. I wanted to get to know and learn everything about her. I assume this is what it's like for most men who are in the beginning stages of dating a woman they are really taken by. We look forward to picking her up; to see her all dressed up for us. We take it all in, the smell of her perfume, the way her hair falls perfectly framing her face that holds a smile we know is just for us.

We long to memorize her face, to gaze into her eyes, and to hear her voice. She is someone that we hope to build a relationship with so, over many dinners, coffees, walks in the park, trips to the movies, and late night phone calls we focus on getting to know her as if we are learning about a part of ourselves we only just discovered. We intently listen to her stories about her goals, likes & dislikes. We share our own personal feelings about life and how it's made us who we are, and we ask a hundred questions hoping to know her better today than the day before. It's romantic and brings us closer-- this is what successful dating is right?

Later on down the road after the wedding, the kids, the dog, and the house; when the routine has become fool proof and the schedule like clock work, I have found that it is still so, very important to date your spouse for obvious but, highly significant reasons. According to an article in the Huffington Post, they discuss how men forget how to date their wives after they say the "I do's."

 1. As time goes by people change, grow and evolve.

When you met her she was a twenty-something business major with a secret passion for fast cars. She did yoga and volunteer work in her spare time. Now, she's a wife, a mother, a career woman, and seat belts are more important to her than horsepower. She now devotes her spare time to Pinterest projects and Pilates. She is still so, wonderful just like when you first met but, she has changed, she has grown as a person just like you have over the years and you should never stop getting to know each other. Dating regularly not only allows you to do that, it is also a great reminder that you are still perfect for each other.

 2. Dating keeps the romance alive.

There isn't any better feeling than sitting in a crowded restaurant across from the one you love, laughing, swapping stories, sharing your feelings and exchanging "I love you's." This gives you a chance to communicate about something other than the school science fair, laundry, and whatever else needs to be done at home. This gives you a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company, to let someone else serve you dinner and drinks, to do something fun, to focus on just the two of you without life's "To-Do" list interrupting.

 3. Dating keeps your bond unbreakable.

When you do things together outside of your daily responsibilities you're not only keeping the fire alive you're making memories and sharing experiences. Sure, you work as an awesome team at home helping each other out, doing your part in running the kids around, keeping up with appointments, house chores, and going to work. You even take turns letting each other sleep in on the weekends when the kids are otherwise looking for breakfast at 6am. However, going on dates communicates to your spouse that not only do they matter as an individual, they are the most important to you; your number one priority.

When you date your spouse you are continually reenforcing the foundation that you have built your life on. When the foundation is strong everything on top remains strong and nothing is more important than a strong foundation when it comes to marriage. So, call or text your wife today and ask her out on a date. Even if you meet on the patio tonight for an hour and share a late night snack after the kids are asleep make it a priority to go on a date. Make it a weekly thing if you can but, never less than twice a month. Date your spouse! It's the best thing you can do for your marriage.