Did I get your attention? Sorry, but I should tell you the reason I’m dating a married man is that I am married to him. I apologize to those who thought they were going to get some juicy gossip. Instead, I want to share why it is important to date your husband. Have you ever found yourself in a relational rut, where you are both busy doing important things, but neglecting time with each other? It can happen to anyone. This is why dating a married man has given me a better marriage.
Are You in a Relational Rut?
Often times, a relational rut happens when we have allowed our margins to become too thin. We haven’t allowed enough time for our most important human relationship, our marriage. Sometimes a rut is due to everyday life circumstances such as work project, being tired, kids’ activities and needs, which take us in different directions never leaving time for each other. Other times it is because we become complacent.
Boredom can be a relationship killer. Once you get over the initial “honeymoon” phase, real life sets in, and the work of maintaining a committed, healthy marriage life needs to be a priority. However, both parties have to be intentional for a successful marriage that will last throughout the years. Here are some reasons why I think it is important to keep dating your husband after you are married.
Love is a Priority
Always remember why you fell in love in the first place. What attracted you to each other? Take time to remember and look at your spouse the same way you did when you began dating. How often did you say, “I Love You?” I bet it was quite a bit. Just because you have solidified your relationship doesn’t mean you don’t have to express your love, or have given your spouse permission not to say “I love you.” If anything you should be saying it all the more to one another. Your spouse may know you love them, but it feels good to hear it.
Love is a Gift
Love is a precious gift we have to treat with honor and respect. No one wants to feel like a doormat in a marriage. When you are married, there is something special about knowing your spouse loves you despite the laugh lines you’ve developed in your forehead, the extra fifteen pounds you’ve gained over time, your gray hair, or the stretch marks from carrying your children. In love, there is give and take, but you have to be careful not always to be the one taking and never giving. Make sure you fill each other’s love tanks.
Romance Isn’t Dead
Trust me; the only way romance is dead is if you allow the flame to go out. Sometimes it may seem like there are only a few glowing embers, but all you need to do is stoke the flame, and once again it will become a roaring fire.
Be Intentional
How do you keep the romance alive and well? Be intentional! When you began dating each other, everything was intentional. You made time for each other. You put important dates on the calendar. Remember when people would ask you to do something with them, and you would say “no” because you had a date? Do it again! There is nothing wrong with a married couple making a date and saying “No” to other things to keep the most important things, important!
You’ve Got Skills!
Oh, and don’t use the excuse “We don’t have the money to be romantic!” Yes, money may be tight, but you’ve got the skills to be romantic! We know what our spouses likes and being romantic doesn’t have to cost money, it just takes creativity, time and commitment.
When is the last time you wrote to your spouse a love letter or card? When is the last time you held their hand or gave them an extra long kiss? How about when you put the kids to bed, turn off the TV and light some candles and turn on your music. Sometimes, being romantic can be as simple as emptying the dishwasher or taking out the trash. With age, romance can change, but it is the spark you keep between you that keeps the fire going no matter how long you are married.
You are Not Married to Your Kids
Remember, you are the boss of your children, not the other way around. We all love our children, but it is normal to keep them second in relationship to God and your spouse. Yes, their needs are important, and we want them to become productive members of society, but one of the best examples we can set for them is by teaching and showing them a healthy love relationship.
Does this mean they might be grossed out sometimes because you kiss your spouse in front of them? Yes, but they will mature to a level where they will appreciate the example you set. A healthy marriage is where your children will learn what they should expect and what they shouldn’t accept in their own future relationships. Children will allow themselves to be treated and how they treat others by what they learn from your relationship.
Keep Your Marriage a Priority
As spouses, we have to be careful to keep our marital relationship a priority. Let your kids know the importance of spending time alone without them. Don’t feel guilty for wanting to spend time alone with your spouse.
A few hours on a weeknight or a weekend away from the kids is healthy for everyone. One day your children will be grown and gone, and it will be a whole lot easier to transition into being emptynesters by dating each other all through your married life rather than becoming strangers while your children grow up. Otherwise, you could end up just existing together in a house with nothing in common beyond the kids, and that would be very sad for both of you.
Time is Not on Your Side
There is a phrase that says, “Time is on Your Side.” However, time is not. By the time you get where you want to be professionally, or consider yourself financially stable, or have raised your children and sent them off on their own, the years will have flown by quickly. In the blink of an eye, and your small children will be grown and out the door, ready to make their mark in the world.
Make a Plan
Don’t put your relationship or the things you want to do on the back burner. Don’t waste more time waiting until you retire to do the things you have always dreamed of doing. Make a plan and do them while you have your health, finances and the ability to be with each other.
Don’t live with “I would have” or “If only I could have.” Love, laugh and live each day with purpose. Let your love stand strong against time. I’ve seen too many couples whose lives have disintegrated right before their eyes. They fall apart trying to find their identities again after parenthood or once the dreams they have been hanging on to fade away because of a diagnosis of cancer or other physical illness.
Make Time to Talk
Healthy communication is crucial in a marriage. When we stop talking to each other, the walls go up! It is amazing what we assume the other person knows or is thinking. However, if you aren’t talking to one another, you can’t blame the other person for not being a mind reader. Miscommunication leads to frustration on both sides of a relationship. When we purposefully make time to talk, we demonstrate to one another the value we place on the relationship.
Make time every day to ask your spouse about their day. Remember when you were dating, how you couldn’t wait to tell each other everything that happened while you were apart? A simple conversation between a couple can be a form of intimacy. How a couple speaks to one another plays a vital part in their marriage. Yes, there are times when you are too tired to talk, but don’t make it a habit because as human beings we tend to take a lack of communication personally.
One of the best ways to take time to talk with one another is to pray together. Praying for each other creates a bond like no other. It is hard to think negatively about our spouse when we share the weight of their heart.
Sharing is Caring!
Talking about what happened during the day is key to a healthy marriage. Don’t allow frustration to build up walls in your relationship. Communication is your lifeline!
Disagreeing is a normal thing because we are entitled to our opinions, but when we choose to disrespect one another and challenge the validity of each other’s opinion, the door to hell is opened. Agreeing to disagree is a well-learned lesson. When we choose to fight out of frustration or anger, it never ends well because someone always ends up feeling hurt and pushed aside. Make sure you always treat your spouse better than you do your best friend.
Never Stop Dating
Dating shouldn't end when married life begins. Dating is a fun and exciting way to reconnect with one another Share on XDating shouldn’t end when married life begins. Date night is a fun and exciting way to reconnect with one another and maintain your strength in marriage or help you get back on track. Desperate for an idea?
Planning a date with your spouse ignites passion and brings a sense of playfulness into your marriage. We all love to have something to look forward to after a long week. Who doesn’t love a foot rub or a great back massage? How about an intimate meal for just the two of you? An overnight date can help a couple forget the pressures of what is going on at home, redirect your focus, get in alignment together and make a stronger marriage. I’m dating a married man because I believe he is worth it and our marriage is better because of it.
Great advice for the married Christians out there. I would even go so far as to say it works both ways – married men should implement these as well. God bless!
Hi, Carrie!
I agree that dating should work both ways! Nothing works better than a well-greased machine!
Oh yes, I totally agree with this! Sometimes we all get so busy that we forget to really pay attention to our marriage. Dating is a great way to avoid this!!
Hi, Angela!
I hope you plan a date for this weekend and have some fun!
LOL, Sheila, you had me there. I was like… Um, that’s not her usual way, what’s this post about? But how on point you are! We need to make margin and prioritize our husband if we want a successful Marriage.
Hi, Tiffany!
I’m glad you checked it out and agree we should date a married man as long as he is our own!
Sheila, this is a great reminder that marriage takes work and intentionality. My hubby and I try to have a date night once a week, where we go out to eat and just talk. We also try to get away at least once in the fall, once in the spring and then a vacation in the summer. These trips do wonders for keeping our marriage strong. Thanks for the reminders. lovely lady. Have a great weekend. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi, Amy!
A connection is very important in a marriage no matter how long you have been married. I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees the value in time spent together 🙂 Thanks, Amy!
You completely threw me with that title. I was completely shocked at first!
Hi, Heather!
I’m glad it got your attention 🙂 I hope you enjoyed the post!
Absolutely, my husband and I still date each other! It’s so important to keep having experiences together and connect.
Hi, Leigh!
I love that you are still dating! How many years have you been married? I agree it is important to stay connected because this world is always trying to steal that connection!
I absolutely love dating my husband. We look forward to all the time we get to spend together (with the kids or without), but date nights are our favorites.
Hi, Heather!
I agree date nights are the BEST! It makes you both feel important and loved!
I have the hardest time sometimes putting my husband above my kids. They’re all super young so sometimes I get caught up in mom mode and forget that hello, he needs me too. And my marriage covenant was to him, not my kids. And ya know, in our home too, what I’ve seen is that when I put my husband and prioritize out time together he makes sure that TOGETHER our kids are taken care often times beyond what they need or even want. Win win win!
Hi, Lo!
What you have said is so true! It really is all about our perspective and keeping things orderly in the manner God desires. I agree when I do that it makes for a much more peaceful and happy home!
This is much appreciated advice and so needed. Thank you for the encouraging post.
Hi, Maryann!
I’m glad this post could help encourage you!
I almost shut down the page without reading it. Then, I realized I was your YOUR page and knew there was more to the title of this! LOL
My husband and I haven’t been dating lately and it is showing in our relationship, conversations, emotions and all that. Thanks for the prompt to make this a priority.
Hi, Tami!
I’m glad you didn’t shut it down! Make a date girl! You will both appreciate the time spent together. Date that married man 🙂
I know that I have heard from so many people that its important to continue dating with. your spouse after marriage because it helps you connect. I wish I could have done that while married. I will not make the same mistake again.
Hi David,
I learned from my past and it has made me a better wife. I don’t want to get caught making the same mistake twice either 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I love this! We try to make sure to make time for just us regularly. This is a great post. Thank you
Hi, Chelsey!
You will never regret making time for each other. It is a reward that keeps paying dividends!
I love this! We need to date our spouses. I know it can be pricey but there are ways to make it cheaper! Do you have a friend who needs date time too? Swap babysitting nights once a month. Go on a picnic and hike and pack your own meals. Catch the movie at the discount theater or go to a matinee. When we go for a long time without a date, my husband will even take three days off work and get a hotel room in town. It’s worth the time.
Hi, Maria! I love your idea! Fortunately, I have adult children, but this is a wonderful idea for others to look into doing. It doesn’t matter how old we become we all need to date our spouse. Good for you in doing it!
Haha you got me in the beginning! Glad you clarified that..such great tips!
Hi, Maya!
Thanks for reading and encouraging my soul! Blessings to you!
Haha catchy title indeed!!! It’s so important to date your spouse. I feel so many marriages fail
Because people just give up the passion part of the relationship
That really is a great title. And the point that you are not married to your kids is spot on. I have to be careful to not unintentionally put my kids first.
I saw the title of this post and HAD to stop and read it. I was a little concerned at first, Hahaha!! But I agree. Dating doesn’t end at marriage. It should continue. We should be finding ways to make time and have intimate conversations and communication in our marriage just like we did when we were pursuing our spouses.
Hi, Lo!
Exactly! The chase should never be over as we need to express love every day! It is hard work, but a blessing to keep pursuing!
Thank you for sharing this post because I needed a little push to start making more time for my husband. The kids really do take a good chunk of my energy throughout the day, and throw in freelance work… it’s a recipe for disaster.
We’ve been doing our best to make time for each other at night, catching up on our shows and having dinner together. He has two days off next week, so I’ll be planning a trip for just the two of us.
Hi, Fatima!
I’m glad this post has encouraged you to keep pursuing and making time for your husband. I hope you enjoyed your trip away for just the two of you! It is hard to keep everything balanced, but as spouses, we need each other.
Haha! Great title! I can see how easily this can happen, for sure — so many things to get done in a day, right? Love your suggestions here!
Dating your spouse is a must! You’re so right that it doesn’t have to cost a dime! The more you date your spouse the more you know him/her and are able to come up with ideas that don’t cost anything. So in reality, it should be much easier to date the longer you are together. For some reason though our society doesn’t encourage it. Thank you for this wonderful reminder!
Hi, Julia!
You are so right! Our society makes us believe we are selfish if we don’t always put the kids first. However, I believe a family is much healthier when they can see parents who are strong together and who love one another.
What a great article that shows how to keep a marriage alive. I must admit I had another feeling when I read your title, but this is so refreshing to see, especially in this day and time!
Hi, Tonya! Isn’t is funny we tend to assume the worst because of the world we live in! I’m glad you read my post and were encouraged. Love is such a special gift and as married couples, it is so important to treasure what we have.
Dating our husbands is an absolute must to a healthy marriage. Dave and I have been married nearly 35 years and we go on a date every Thursday night. We have to. We need that time together. We crave for time alone away from work, home and responsibilities. Thank you Sheila for writing truth and beauty.
Hi, Sue! I don’t know how it can be 35 years when you only look 25! The things I have learned from my past is this very truth. When we don’t make each other a priority the walls come tumbling down. Thanks for sharing your truth and leading others! So where is date night tonight? I appreciate and love you sister!
Yes this is so true. I love how you got the attention you needed at the beginning then explained it so well. All the points you touched on are so right and so true. We need to continue daily to cultivate our marriage in order for it to last and succeed. Loved reading this. Flirting with my hubby is still so much fun! *Blush*
xoxo Sheri – http://www.abusybeeslife.com/
Sheri,
Thanks for your encouragement! Love needs to watered and cared for daily to grow and stand strong against the elements of this world. It is fun to flirt with our husbands and we both appreciate it! Happy dating!
I’m so glad it’s Dave you are dating! Ha!
I’d also like to point out how many women get frustrated with their men not initiating an actual date night. My response is always the same; it’s not his gift, so make it yours. Not all men know how to keep the love alive, so if it’s important to us, let’s take on the responsibility. My sweetheart is always happy to go along, and he admits he’s not the best at planning. As long as the end result is lots of fun and love it really doesn’t matter who does the planning.
Love you Sheila!
Hi, Toni!
I’m glad we are dating too! I love your insight about taking the responsibility. It is so true. We need to focus on each other strengths mor than we do our weaknesses. When each of us use our strength everybody wins! Love you Toni!
Sometimes it’s good to “date” your spouse every once in a while 🙂
Hi, Andrea!
You are right! It is good to date our spouses and keep the flame burning!
wise words, thank you for sharing! I wonder how many divorces would have been avoided if couples made it a priority to date their spouse to keep the relationship and romance alive. I hope everyone who reads this takes it to heart!
Hi, Susan!
I writing from my past mistakes in hopes of helping others avoid that hole. I hope they take it to heart and realize that second chances are a way of putting the past behind and learning that love is a life lesson we are constantly learning from. Can I say I miss you already? Love you Susan
I would be very nervous doing that – I don’t know if I could do it
Hi, Andrea! I couldn’t date another married man….just my own. 🙂
I agree. Saw some friends last week who are in a position of looking at each other asking “how we’d get here?” They’re kids are grown and out of the house. As much as I have complained over the years about the cost of going on a date ( especially when the kids were little and sitters were involved), my husband still dates me. I am thankful for his attitude.
Hi, Sheila!
I am thankful my Hubs does the same or I plan a date night. I love taking turns planning a date night and I love Groupon. It makes for some very fun, but inexpensive dates. It is so healthy for the kids to know that moms and dads need time alone too! Thanks for sharing!