Chasing Views - Date Nights Are Essential

Let me just say this loud for the people in the back (and the ones folding laundry):

Date nights are not optional. They are essential.

Marriage is wonderful… and also busy, messy, loud, and sometimes involves talking over the sound of someone brushing their teeth WAY too aggressively. Life fills up fast. Work fills up faster. And if your job involves people (hi, hello, bless you), it’s even more important to unplug and remember how to have fun together.

Here’s the thing—Date nights are not for:

• Paying bills

• Solving world problems

• Having a serious “we need to talk” marriage meeting

• Rehashing everything that went wrong this week

  
  

Date nights ARE for:

• Laughing

• Unplugging

• Having fun

• Remembering why you actually like this person

  
  

Think about it.

Think about the person (other than your spouse) that you have the most fun with. Now imagine sharing a bathroom with them, paying bills together, hearing them brush their teeth, talking about hard things… but never doing anything fun. No memes. No laughter. No “how are you really?”

Would that relationship be fun?

Would you look forward to time together?

Exactly.

Our spouse is the relationship we need to invest in first, not last. And I’ll be honest—I am very guilty of giving Andy my leftovers. Not just the food kind… the energy, the attention, the joy. And shockingly 🙃 that doesn’t help a marriage grow.

So in 2026, we’re back to protecting date nights at all costs.

Not because we should.

But because we must.

And guess what? We’ve tested this theory. When we date each other, our relationship is better. Period.

The best part? Date nights don’t have to be fancy, expensive, or exhausting. They can be simple, affordable, creative, and fun.

Our 2026 Date Night Theme: Chasing Views

This year, our date night theme is Chasing Views (because I love anything with a theme)

That could mean:

• A beautiful view during a drive

• A destination with a view

• A restaurant with a view

• Or just a really good view of chicken wings and your favorite person!

  
  

Marriage needs adventure. Even small ones.

Consider this your official permission slip to date your spouse again.

In the next post, I’ll share our first Chasing Views date and how small adventures can make a big difference in marriage.

If you know a couple who could use a little more laughter and a little less laundry talk, send this their way. And don’t worry—more fun is coming.

Romance, Laundry, and Menopause: A Love Story

Life sure has a sense of humor, doesn’t it?

You spend your teenage years trying to outrun emotions, crushes, and all those lovely hormones that arrive uninvited. And it’s not just the guys — our brains were basically running a full-time soap opera about love, romance, and… well… everything else. We just knew adulthood was going to be magical, candlelit, and perfectly scripted.

Then we get married.

And have kids.

Suddenly romance looks a lot less like the movies and a lot more like:

“Did you switch the laundry?”

“What's for dinner?”

“Wait… where are the kids?”

Date night turns into falling asleep on the couch with a bowl of popcorn between you — and honestly, some nights that feels like victory.

Then, just when the house quiets down and we finally become empty nesters, our bodies decide to audition for a medical drama.

Low T.

High T. Menopause.

Hot flashes that could power a small village.

Mood swings that could qualify for the Olympics.

And we’re all looking at God like,“Really? This was the plan?”

But here’s the beautiful part.

Somewhere in the middle of the chaos, the exhaustion, the awkward seasons, and the doctor visits, something deeper grows.

We learn that romance isn’t just fireworks — sometimes it’s staying. It’s choosing grace. It’s laughing together when nothing works the way it used to. It’s holding hands in the middle of the weird and saying,“We’re still here — and God is still good.”

I’m convinced God smiles through all of it. He knows our seasons, He understands our bodies (better than we do!), and He walks faithfully with us through each chapter — hormones, hot flashes, confusion, and all.

Because love isn’t built in the teenage years. It’s refined through every stage afterward — with humor, humility, and a faithful God holding it together when we feel like we’re falling apart.

And honestly?

I wouldn’t trade the lessons, the laughter, or the grace found along the way. Even if menopause could take a little vacation.

The Adventure in Change

I have always loved change. Mostly because, until I turned 18, my life stayed exactly the same. Since then, it has been a constant journey of transformation. Many of these changes happened because of choices I made, and over time, I learned that embracing change is essential for growth.

However, in recent years, I’ve discovered that change can be harder and more painful. As we age, and as those around us age, change often takes on forms we don’t enjoy—like the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or even unexpected challenges like natural disasters.

But when we look into God’s Word, we see that change has always been part of His plan. God never creates something and leaves it unchanged. From Genesis to Revelation, we see a continuous story of transformation. This reminds us that God is the God of change because change brings growth: growth in our faith, our spiritual gifts, and our dependence on Jesus.

When I say I love change, I realize it’s often the change I can control that I enjoy—the kind that feels exciting and purposeful. Whether it’s deciding to sell a home and build another, or planning a new vacation destination, those changes feel fun and fabulous. But what about the changes we don’t ask for? Changes at work, changes in health, or even changes in the weather? How do I respond then?

One thing I’ve learned is that every season of change brings a season of growth. Growth in my faith. Growth in my trust in God. Growth in learning to take life one step at a time, one day at a time.

What I love about God is that the changes we often resist—those we kick and scream over—can lead to the greatest adventures. Trusting and depending on Jesus is the ultimate adventure because His plans and ways are always bigger and better than anything we could dream of.

As we step into a new year, you might be facing changes or perhaps feeling the desire to make changes. Remember this: throughout Scripture, God used people who were broken, messy, afraid of change, and unsure of their worth to do extraordinary things. He used them to change the world, change lives, and change eternities.

My prayer for 2025 is that through all the changes ahead, I will trust Him more deeply, embrace the adventure He has for me, and allow Him to transform me into someone bolder and brighter than ever before.