Creativity is at the core of romance. In Song of Solomon, we see the King bring in all the items from his bride’s countryside farm to create a beautiful bedroom for her. We see the bride invite her handsome husband out into an oasis to enjoy love-making on a “verdant” bed outdoors. Get your own creative juices flowing by trying one or all of these four fun dates to add a little spark to your marriage. To kick start your date, write a little love note invitation like the one we also read in Song of Songs:
"Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains." (Song of Solomon 8:14)
To wow your mate, you need some information:
What is his/her lifelong dream?
Where are special places from his/her past?
Where has he/she always hoped to travel?
What activity replenishes him/her most?
Answer one of the above questions and plan to fulfill one of those hoped for dreams or reenact a precious memory.
1. Moonlit Date
Early in our marriage, one of our priceless and completely free romantic memories was a walk in the snow under the blue moon along an open air path between evergreen trees.
Another year, when money was tight, and all our teens were out with the youth group on the 4th of July, we climbed the hill behind our home by flashlight and moonlight then enjoyed a firework show.
More recently, we enjoyed a precious moon-themed date by walking along the moonlit beach during a lunar eclipse. Being wrapped in the arms of my husband, feet in the sand, waves gently washing over our feet as we watched the beauty of God’s creation was magical. As the moon was eclipsing, we looked to the heavens and prayed for one another.
Why not move the moon into your romantic rhythm? Here are some moonlit nights to remember:
- Full moon
- Crescent moon
- Harvest moon
- Blue moon (This happens every 2-3 years)
- Lunar eclipse (This happens between 4 and 7 times a year)
Consider a moonlight picnic, a night of stargazing, or a sleeping bag for two by a fire pit with glowing embers and s’mores under the stars.
2. Treasure Hunt
My friend Jody planned a special date for her husband:
My favorite date I planned for my husband was on our anniversary. I had written a riddle to send him on a treasure hunt of memories we had shared in the past. I went to his work and handed him a note with instructions to change his shirt, that was waiting for him in the car.
Once he got to the car and changed, there was another love note that took him to the country club where we met and had our first date. We shared a dance. I left him with a note for instructions to his next destination and then I dashed out the door to light candles at his next stop, which was at the lake we had shared many romantic dates in the past.
When he arrived at the lake there was another love note, rhyme/poem to take him to his next destination… the church where we exchanged our wedding vows. I placed it on the foyer table with a statue of a bride and groom, our wedding picture and his next love note.
That love note brought him back home to a candle light dinner… and one last note that stated the evening wasn't over.
What is a treasure to your mate? Where would he/she like the clues to lead? Would he love to be in a racecar? On a football field? On a wave? At a car show? In a home improvement store?
Would she love to find herself at a spa? By the pool? In a cozy cabin on the lake? In a beach house? In the middle of her favorite clothing or hobby store?
To design a treasure hunt, you can plot and plan it many ways:
- Clues can be in the form of a riddle.
- Clues can be hints planted with people ahead of time.
- Clues can be hidden around town and lead from one to another.
- Clues can be given in text messages.
- Clues can be given by directing him/her to show up at a location and wait for a call.
Anticipation built by a treasure hunt turns a simple date or getaway into an exciting adventure.
3. Ride Down Memory Lane
Julie and Mike had been married for over 24 years when she sent me the email describing her most creative wow date for her guy:
When I met my husband, he was a “wild at heart” 24 year old whose primary source of transportation was a very fast motorcycle! Shortly after children arrived on the scene, we sold the bike and bought a used mini truck which was much more suited to carrying bicycles, golden retrievers, and other ”kid stuff.” It must have been hard for him, but he never complained.
Our most creative date came just after we sent our youngest child off to kindergarten. On the morning of our anniversary I gave him a card with money I had secretly saved up and directions to our first destination - a motorcycle shop where I had arranged to rent a Harley Davidson for the weekend. It was such a thrill to see the smile on his face, as we climbed on to that bike. It literally took us back to the time when we fell in love!
Our final stop was a little romantic cabin in the mountains where we celebrated, kid, dog, and truck-free! I was blessed to be able to remind him that I will never forget who he is or the many selfless sacrifices he makes for our family.
What does your man need to remember about himself? Take him back to:
- The ball park
- The stadium
- The ranch
- The racetrack
- The road
- The wilderness
- The mountains
- The ocean or lake
I first laid eyes on Bill at a leadership conference at Arrowhead Springs. He was there to learn how to be a Christian leader. It was a romantic day and meaningful date to rewalk the grounds at Arrowhead, this time as a pastor and his wife.
Reverse the gift and take your wife back to a place or a moment that was special in her past. If she missed out on the fun of a sport, sign up for lessons for two of something she loves. If you never dance with her at weddings, then take her on a river or ocean cruise and dance under the stars. Fulfill a passion or dream she has waited a long time to see come to fruition.
4. Laugh Together
Humor is good for our bodies—and for our relationships. Paul McGhee, PhD says, “Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” Here are a few of the many physical benefits:
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Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
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Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
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Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
- Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Make a date to attend a musical comedy, visit a comedy club or improv performance, Redbox or Netflix a comedy movie, or watch clean Christian comedians like Tim Hawkins or Jeanne Robertson on Godtube.com. You can even have fun together with a water balloon battle, snowball fight, or silly string war.
Pam and Bill Farrel invite you and your spouse to join the 90 Day Red Hot Romance Challenge, or keep the sizzle going by using the 200 ideas in Red Hot Monogamy. The Farrels have been happily married 36 years and are authors of 45 books including Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti as well as 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband and Red Hot Romance Tips for Women. www.Love-Wise.com
Publication date: June 20, 2016