For me, date night is untouchable. It is mandatory. Without date night, my week is not as fulfilled, and I truly believe that my marriage suffers.
As my friend Kirsten wrote about a couple of weeks ago, when both partners work, and have active kids in the house,
it can be virtually impossible to find any time to talk. My husband Michael and I both work full time out of the house. Our kids are six and two, and by the time we get home from work, they are all over us. I LOVE catching up with them, but let's be honest. It becomes impossible to get a word in edgewise! Once they go to bed, we are both exhausted too, and once again, another day has passed without any meaningful dialogue.
That's where date night comes in! Every Saturday, Michael and I go out to dinner. The restaurants vary, and sometimes there is another couple involved, but we get out of the house with no kids, and we get a chance to connect. We are lucky enough to have an au pair who babysits, but sometimes we use an outside babysitter. And yes, in Chicago that is EXPENSIVE, but it's cheaper than a divorce attorney, so I think the price is worthwhile.
Do you guys do date night? How often?