Date Night - Huzzah!

Tomorrow is my husband and I's monthly planned date night. Many people I know do a weekly date night, but with a young child and money being tight, once a month works for us. We do hang out other nights of the month (usually one or two a week just the two of us - we're lucky our son goes to bed at 7:15!!) as we did last night, just drinking some wine and watching some Seinfeld on DVD.

We instituted a planned date night, however, when I first found out I was pregnant. (Read: I instituted date night when I first found out I was pregnant). I was worried that a new baby was going to change things too much, or we would get too busy and not have time for our marriage anymore. Boy, was I right!!! And so I'm glad we got into the habit of having a planned date night.

Each month, one of us plans an actual date. We don't have to go out for the date, and we don't even have to spend any money. But we do have to have time just the two of us, and we have to do something fun together (watching a movie counts, watching tv does not). My husband plans the "even" months (February - the second month, April, the fourth, etc.) and I plan the "odd." He likes to joke it's because I'm odd. Har har. Hilarious.

Last month, for example, my husband planned for us to stay in and bake and decorate Christmas cookies together. We listened to Christmas carols and drank wine (don't judge us, we weren't in the mood for cocoa!!) and just had so much fun getting flour and icing everywhere. It was like we were back in high school.

This month is my turn to pick and we're going OUT! It's fun to just get dressed up for a night out, even if we're just going to a casual bar & grill, which we are. I got a great deal for $25 worth of food for only $12 on LivingSocial.com. I'm so looking forward to getting dolled up (read: adding eyeliner to my makeup routine) and having a fun night out with my hubby.

For anyone out there reading this who doesn't yet have a date night, please let me give you a strong recommendation for it. It helps us stay connected, even if only once a month. It helps us have fun together - which is difficult sometimes when life gets too serious. It helps me know my husband truly cares about me and values time with me - especially when it's his turn to plan the night! Also, it sets a good example for our son - that Mommy and Daddy love each other, love to spend time together, and someday when he gets married (gulp!) he will (hopefully) take the initiative to take his wife out on a date every so often!

Oh, and future daughter-in-law? You can thank me later.

Much, MUCH later!!

When the Cat's Away...

I cry. Hi, I'm Cathleen the soon-to-be 29 year old who cries when her husband leaves for the weekend. As a social worker, I'm inclined to ask: is there a support group for this?

My husband left early this morning to go to a wedding in Shreveport, Louisiana. All of his college buddies will be there and I know he's going to have a great time. And I'm happy for him that he gets to catch up with his best friends and reminisce about old times. I just hate that he's gone.

Honestly, last night I was kind of snippy with him - for no apparent reason. Then I did social work on myself and realized I felt like he was abandoning me in some weird way. Which is the complete opposite of the truth. I am so blessed to have a husband who is as devoted, loyal, and loving as mine. Maybe that's the problem - if he was a worse husband, I wouldn't mind that he was leaving!

I know I actually have it very easy compared to some women. My mom often tells me about the early years of her marriage when my dad would leave Monday morning and not return until Friday night. I seriously can't imagine such a thing! And she had small kids at home - kudos, mom but I think you're a stronger woman than I! My sister's husband also travels fairly often for his job. But I think she's more like me - now that she lives close to my parents, she takes her one year old son and spends the night there when her hubby is gone. If I could, believe me I would be doing that very same thing this weekend!

My husband is a teacher - he goes to work early each morning and gets home around 5:30 each night. While he puts in a long day, he's always home for dinner and never has to travel for his job. I think God knew that I wouldn't be able to handle a husband who is gone more than that. Seriously.

Well, don't feel too bad for me - I've got fun things to look forward to this weekend myself. Aside from hanging out with my little boy, I'm having a friend over for Chinese food and a chick flick tonight. And pino grigio! Tomorrow afternoon, I'm taking my son to a girls JV soccer game (a few of the girls I volunteer with are on the team). And tomorrow night, I'll be taking some other girls I volunteer with to see a movie while my friend stays with my son. And soon enough (or not!) it will be Sunday night and my best friend in the world will be home at last.

Here's to a weekend that will make me stronger and the heart grow fonder!