Date Days

At the beginning of this year, Nate and I decided we needed to get off of SIFAT's campus and go somewhere to talk about this past year, where we are, this upcoming year (which February is almost over!), hopes, dreams, desires, etc.

We went to Auburn to find a coffee shop to sit down and discuss these very things (because we don't seem to have any of those around these parts). Who knew that finding a coffee shop would be so difficult! We stopped at Panera Bread where we ordered a chai tea and a cafe mocha. Thus, began our discussion of life together. We rambled over many different things, including our physical goals (exercising), financial goals (saving/giving), and relational goals (with friends, family and each other). In talking about our relational goals, one word began to fill our minds and our conversation: INTENTIONAL.

We have to be intentional with how we communicate and spend time with the people that we love the most. Including each other. Not just the same ole dinner on the porch every night. Actually planning how we want to show the other how much we love them. 

Beginning in January, we decided that we wanted to commit to setting aside time every week where we are intentional about planning and discussing things that are essential to our relationship. Almost a continual conversation about our hopes, dreams and desires for this coming year and the future. 

We have now deemed that Date Day has a slightly different name: Adventure Day! In our planning for getting off the campus weekly, we've found that we want to visit some pretty incredible places that almost always turn into some type of adventure. Intentional adventures give us quality time to discuss the happenings in our lives together, as well as, learn even more about the way each of us relate to the other in certain situations and experiences.

It took us more than two years to make one day a week, just for Nate and Laura, a priority. Because of this, we have created numerous memories and have experienced a lot of new things that we probably wouldn't have if we hadn't made this commitment. 

It is not always easy to come up with ideas. We don't always make the most cost effective plan. 

But we know that this is important. 

Being intentional has made a huge impact on our marriage and our relationship. 

Date/Adventure Day has become one of our favorite days of the week - something we so look forward to! 

Gratitude goes out to: God's beautiful masterpiece that sets the stage for our weekly adventures together, learning and growing with my husband, making commitments and sticking to them