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Do you enjoy watching the Packers? Love
putting on your cheese-head and cheering GO PACK GO?Why not take a trip up to
Lambeau Field? You can take a tour of the field or if you feel like really
getting into the football spirit you can purchase a ticket. Remember, if you go
any later than November it is going to be cold, so cuddle tight with you loved
one!
Relationship Reconnection: Drink a cup of hot chocolate and have a hot dog together. After
the game is over, talk about ways you have cheered each other on through the
years. Encouragement strengthens marriages and remembering these times of
support can help you reconnect.
Fall is in the air. How about try your hand at some fall
baking? What's not to love about the smells of pumpkin and spices? Bake
up something sweet together and then share the treat. If you need some
inspiration, cruise Pinterest together for a mouthwatering recipe.
Relationship Reconnection: While you're
baking up some sweet treats, do a little flirting, touching, and
cuddling. A little physical sweetness can go a long way in sparking that
flame and reconnecting.
Leave it to Chance
The Penny Date! Get in your car and
choose right and left to mean heads and tails. Have your spouse choose a
number between 10 and 20. Whatever number they choose is how many times
you will flip the coin. Take turns flipping the coin to choose whether
you make a right or left turn. When you finally flip the coin the amount
of times you chose, STOP. Wherever you end up, have your date there!
This date can be adventurous and fun, enjoy every second!
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Relationship Reconnection: On your drive
talk about what your strengths are as a couple and what your weaknesses may be.
Share with each other how you think you can change your weaknesses into
strengths.
Play Dough
Sometimes it’s fun to feel like a carefree kid; wind in
your hair, dirt on your clothes and a smile on your face. But how many of us
have a time machine? A good way to feel like a kid again is by playing with
play dough. Many childhood memories were created with our hands, either in
paint, dirt or toys. You can pick up a few tubs of play dough at your Dollar
Store or if you really like the name brand you can go to other retail stores.
You can each pick out a color and just make what ever comes to mind. Enjoy the
time to get creative.
Relationship Reconnection:
Ask your spouse these three questions about their
childhood, and answer them yourself:
What was your favorite childhood toy?
What is a fun memory you have with your family as a child?
How can we create fun memories for our children?
Make sure not to worry about the mess or washing your
hands. Just enjoy the date with your spouse and learn more about them.
Let’s
Eat Meat!
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If you willing or able to spend some extra money on
dinner, check out Carnevor. It is one of Milwaukee’s most famous fine dining
destinations. They are consistently topping year-end “Best Of” lists, Carnevor
has been lauded for its variety of culinary tastes – from their luscious
barrel-cut beef to mouthwatering New York Strips and bone-in fillets. The
service is always wonderful!
Check out more at:
Phone: 414-223-2200
Address: 724 N Milwaukee ST, Milwaukee
Relationship Reconnection:
The power of positive thinking is important in relationships too. We cannot rely on our relationships to make us happy and positive, but being happy and positive can improve our relationships. Take time to talk about all the good/positive things in your life and relationship. Being positive helps you look at things optimistically and gives you the fuel required to overcome challenges. These are both important reasons to be positive and think positive in and about your relationship. This is a great way to reconnect.
Custard
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One of the famous Custard places to go in Milwaukee is
Kopp’s Frozen Custard. They always have chocolate and vanilla, but then during
the month they have a different flavor every day. This is one of those places
that is fun to visit because it’s going to work you out of your normal routine
with the flavor changes! You might try something new and end up loving it! What
is something you want to emulate that your parents, grandparents, or other
married role models did for their spouses? Do you want to say "I love
you" more, or write a love note every week for example?
Find out more at:
Phone: 262-789-9490
Address: 18880 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield
Relationship Reconnection:
While enjoying your homemade ice cream take the time to learn what made a happy home in your memories. Taking the time to talk about this can help you learn more about what your spouse might have expected from a marriage so that the two of you can work together to create a new home that makes both of you happy.
City
Tour
Take a tour into Milwaukee’s famous attractions and
history. You may already know about some of the sites, but maybe you will learn
something new. Each tour includes cheese samples at a local creamery.
Relationship Reconnection: Be affectionate. According to Dr. John Gottman, "You
can show affection in low-key, subtle ways simply through quiet acts of
tenderness: touching or holding hands". Movies are such a great time to do
just that. So, cuddle up and enjoy one another's company. A movie in the
park may just be what you need to reconnect.
Fondue
Any chocolate lovers out there? I
personally love any reason that allows me to indulge in my chocolate addiction!
There may be some weeks that date
night seems virtually impossible and time seems to be granted to everything
except for you and your spouse. These weeks are hard and often associated with
stress, but if you are willing to find the time, it will present itself. This
is a date night for one of those crazy weeks where it seems like nothing will
go right and time is against you!
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If you don't have a fondue fountain,
don't worry, that just makes it fancy and a little harder to clean up, a bowl
will work just fine :) For this date night, all it takes is a simple quick trip
to the store for some melting chocolate in the flavor that you desire, and some
little snacks for the dipping! Once you have all of this ready, it takes almost
no time to melt the chocolate, prep the snacks, and be on your way to a
relaxing, chocolate-dipping filled night!
Relationship Reconnection: One of my favorite things to do when I get some downtime
with my spouse it to just talk and see where the conversation leads us, and
this date night provides the opportune time to do that. Get the fondue all
melted and ready and start snacking together, and then just start talking,
either about your week or something that happened that day. Just get the juices
flowing and see where the conversation leads. I have found that it is times
like these that we come back to evaluating our goals and where we see ourselves
now and later and how to get there. It can be very rewarding to just talk and
listen to our spouse, to help them feel appreciated especially when things seem
like they won't slow down and wait for us!
Get Active
Walks are not only good for the body
physically, but they are also great for your mind mentally and emotionally! I
don’t know about you, but I have found that going on walks helps me solve the
little worries I have and brings everything into perspective. Tonight, why
don’t you and your spouse take a walk, either to a predetermined destination,
or just wander and let your legs take you where they may! Explore the area
around you, and explore each other and what each of you are going through.
Relationship Reconnection: A great conversation topic for this
walk would be expressing to each other what it means to you to be a husband or
a wife. Oftentimes when we marry we sort of just fall into these new titles
without understanding what they mean. No matter how long you have been married,
this activity can be uplifting for all! Each of you will find meaning in
different things, but be open-minded and really listen to what your spouse has
to say; you may learn something new about them! Understanding and working on
these amazing titles that we hold as husband and wife can help us appreciate
all that our spouses do, and also be motivated to be the best husband or wife
we can be!
Craving Seafood?
Seafood lovers shouldn't miss going to the St Paul Fish Company.
The seafood served at this restaurant is always fresh and delicious. Having
great seafood at reasonable prices is why this is one of the best date
restaurants in Milwaukee.
Relationship Reconnection: While you are there take some time to “nurture your
fondness and admiration.” John M. Gottman’s work had helped describe how to do
this. Gottman says that fondness and admiration are two of the most important
elements in a satisfying and long-term relationship. If these elements are
completely missing, the marriage can’t be saved. Make a list of three or more of your partner’s positive
characteristics along with an incident that illustrates each quality. Then read
your lists to each other.
For more information:
400 N. Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
(414) 220-8383.
Need a Vacation?
Enjoy a meal at Torcadero. Guests often feel like they are in
France instead of Milwaukee when they enter this beautiful restaurant. Guests
enjoy all the choices they have on the extensive menu at this restaurant.
Having a beautiful outdoor patio and heated indoor patio to enjoy meals on
makes this one of the best first date restaurants in Milwaukee.
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Relationship Reconnection: While you are
there work on “turn toward each other instead of away.” Gottman says that
couples that turn toward each other have more in their “emotional bank account.”
For instance, romance is leaving an encouraging voicemail for your spouse when
you know he’s having a bad day, Gottman says. However, over dinner you can work
on listening to your spouse’s bad day.
For more information:
1758 N Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
(414) 272-0205.
Fly a Kite
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Milwaukee has its own kite store located at the lakefront, where
it’s always breezy. It’s usually a hotbed of kite-flying activity around there,
so you can watch people with those crazy trick kites, then buy your own and
laugh when you can barely get it off the ground. But hey, at least you spent a
lovely day at the lakefront. Take turns flying the kite.
Relationship Reconnection: Work together to keep
the kit up in the air. “Let your
partner influence you.” Gottman said that, letting your partner influence you
isn’t about having one person hold the reins; it’s about honoring and
respecting both people in the relationship. Make decisions together. Choose
which kite you want together. Choose where you should fly the kite together,
etc.
Tiny Boats
You can now rent kayaks from the Milwaukee Kayak Company and
paddle around the city at your own pace. Stop at some of the many restaurants
along the Riverwalk with docks and make a day of it.
Relationship Reconnection: You can work on
“overcoming gridlock.” Gottman says that the goal with perpetual problems is
for couples to “move from gridlock to dialogue.” What usually underlie gridlock
are unfulfilled dreams. “Gridlock is a sign that you have dreams for your life
that aren’t being addressed or respected by each other,” Gottman writes. Happy
couples believe in the importance of helping each other realize their dreams.
Each of you should take turns talking about your dreams. Express your goals
that you want to achieve. Do not discredit your spouse’s goals and dreams. Talk
about if they are possible to achieve. Talk about how you work together to
achieve them.
State Forest
Situated on more than 22,000 acres of glacier created hills,
valleys, lakes and woodlands, Kettle Moraine State Forest, has amenities and
activities for outdoor lovers of all ages. Abundant camp sites, hiking and
biking trails, fishing, and swimming.
Relationship Reconnection: While hiking you could take a stroll hand
in hand, and focus on learning more about your spouse and their personal life.
Ask questions that help you understand their stress level, worries,
dreams, and excitement.
For more information:
W7796 Kettle Moraine Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53190
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Food Tour
At Milwaukee food tours, you and your spouse can tour the city’s
finest culinary stops and sample a wide variety of local food. You can sample:
pizza gelato, Mexican s’mores, and more.
Relationship Reconnection: During your tasting, talk about the
things you love to do and why you like them so much. Discuss doing these
activities for future dates. Planning them ahead of time will give you
something to look forward to and have ideas for what you want to do. This will
help you find things to do together that you both will enjoy and have ideas to
fall back on when you need them.
For more information:
2419 N. 62nd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53213
Would You Rather...
When we think of dates, we usually think about big ideas that
tend to cost money. Dates like those are nice, and help to build great memories
with your spouse. But what about those weeks where you are seemingly too busy
for a date? Play a little game called "Would You Rather." Take a half
hour, sit down together and try and answer the following questions. These
questions are for fun, a great way to laugh and spending time with each other
in a hopefully novel way.
WOULD YOU RATHER…
-Be half your height, or double your weight?
-Fight a horse sized duck, or 100 duck sized horses?
-Live in the world of Harry Potter or Narnia?
-Have a zombie apocalypse or WWIII?
-Be super-fast or super strong?
-Have no internet, or no phone?
-Change the past, or see into the future?
-Be invisible, or fly?
-Lose sense of touch or taste?
-Be able to talk to all animals or be able to speak all
languages?
Relationship Reconnection: Life can be hectic and your relationship may be the last thing
on your To Do List. However, marriage can be an uphill battle. Research shows
that once kids enter the picture, marital satisfaction goes down and continues
that pattern until the children leave (at which time marital satisfaction goes
back up). You can’t afford to slip away from each other. Even taking an hour a
week to just be together can strengthen your marriage, and help fight the odds.
Fruit Carving
This is a great way to have some fun without leaving your house.
Grab some fruit or veggies from the kitchen. It can be apples, oranges, mangos,
whatever you have and a couples of knives. Watermelon are a great fruit to
carve, but they aren’t as readily available. Each of you carve your fruit or
veggie into a masterpiece of your own choice and then show each other.
Relationship Reconnection: Make
conversation while you carve away and then enjoy the fruit afterwards. This
gives you the opportunity to sit and talk as well as test your artistic skills
in carving. Talk about your favorite fruit or veggie and why it’s your
favorite. Share stories about foods from your past whether good or bad and
learn about each other’s like or dislike of certain foods.
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All about Pie
Ever get a craving for an amazing pie? Take a drive and go see
the Elegant Farmer! They cook their pied in a paper bag. Honestly, the best one
is their caramel apple pie. Yes, you can purchase their pies at many local
grocery stores, but going out their farm is way more fun. They have a corn maze
in the fall, which is fun for the whole family. If you feel like getting two
pies, each of you should pick one and then try them both.
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Apple Picking
Fall is in the air and so it’s time to enjoy the beautiful
colored trees before all the leaves fall off. Why not take a Saturday and go
pick a few apples? Head on down to Patterson Orchards. Very
close to Milwaukee and yet, you will fell that you are in the country and
enjoying a nice little get away from the city life.
Relationship Reconnection: While you are looking for
the very best Honey Crisp to pick, take some time to walk the orchard hand in
hand, before your basket get’s too full to carry with one hand. As you are
picking apples, ask each other questions about this time of the year. EX: Do
you like fall? What is your favorite season? WHY? Remember to listen to your
spouse’s full response. Don’t try to respond until they have finished their
full sentence. Sometimes we too often like to jump in when someone is talking.
Work on becoming a better listener.
For more information:
4607 S 124th St., New Berlin, WI 53151
Pumpkin Patch
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We are getting closer and closer to Halloween. It’s time to
pick out a pumpkin before all of the good ones are taken! Lidners Farm Pumpkin
Patch is fun place to take the family or just go with your spouse. They are
located at 19065 W Cleveland Ave, New Berlin, WI 53146. It’s close to
Milwaukee, so you won’t have to drive too far to get there. They have goats the
kids can go and look at. There are hay bail all over you can also get a family
picture if you bring you camera and have someone take you picture.
Relationship Reconnection: While you
are picking out your pumpkin you can turn it into a game. See you can find the
tallest pumpkin or the roundest. The winner gets to choose where you go for a
cup of hot cocoa or what ever you would like your prize to be. If you choose to
just go with your spouse, enjoy a warm drink like your hot cocoa and sit on a
hay bail and cuddle close and just talk. Ask your spouse about their day. What
was the most frustrating part? Why was it so frustrating? What could have made
it better? What was the best part? Why was it the best? Could it have been any
better?
Lighthouse
The North Point
Lighthouse is a maritime treasure that has recently been restored to its
original early 20th century charm. Located in Lake Park, this lighthouse is one
of Milwaukee's most beautiful historical landmarks and is located well off the
beaten path. Avoid the crowds at the shores of Lake Michigan while still taking
in the beautiful sights on your romantic date.
Relationship Reconnection: Take some time to hold hands.
Give your partner a kiss on the cheek. Enjoy one another’s company and focus on
their happiness.
For more information:
Address: 2650
North Wahl Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Phone: (414)
332-6754
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Coach and Carriage
Make a reservation for Milwaukee Coach & Carriage, the most romantic carriage rides
in the city. See the beautiful architecture of downtown as you snuggle together
for an intimate ride.
Relationship Reconnection: During the winter months, be swept into a winter
wonderland with the lights and sights along Wisconsin Avenue.
For more information:
Phone: (414)
272-6873
Bed and Breakfast
If you are looking a getaway but want to stay in town, head
to a bed and breakfast. Spend a memorable night or weekend at the Schuster Mansion Bed & Breakfast.
Spend a restful, romantic night and rise to a sumptuous homemade breakfast.
Relationship Reconnection: This
is the perfect time to enjoy an intimate evening with your spouse.
For more information:
Address: 3209
West Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53208
Phone: (414)
342-3210
Jelly Belly Factory
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A flying Mr. Jelly Belly. Giant Jelly Belly beans. And an
Elvis made entirely of jellybeans. These are just some of the creations you
will see at the Jelly Belly Visitor Center. Hop aboard the Jelly Belly
Express Train for a warehouse facility tour to learn more about how the candy
is made. It also includes plenty of tasting opportunities and a store to
further your sugar high. Having been there myself, I would like to warn you
that you don’t get to see the Jelly Beans being made, but you do get to try as
many as you want and they have the Harry Potter Jellybeans!
Relationship Reconnection: You can pick
different Jellybeans for your spouse to try. I would suggest not going straight
for the crazy flavors. Try to give them something that they would enjoy.
Polar Bear Plunge
I know it seems early to be talking about January, but it’s
coming faster than we know it. Milwaukee is famous for the Polar Bear Plunge. Each
year on New Year's Day, folks gather at Milwaukee's Bradford Beach to jump into
Lake Michigan. (Yes, they strip off their warm winter clothes, in the freezing
temperatures, to take a dip ... crazy! ) The proceeds go to the Children's
Hospital of Wisconsin. If you are feeling daring and want to do something crazy
with your spouse this year, now is your change!
Relationship Reconnection: While you're out and about in
nature, take time to talk about some of the sacrifices you've noticed one
another making for your relationship. Research has shown that perceiving
ones partner as making a sacrifice increases trust, which in turn increases
commitment to the relationship. Appreciating each other and the
sacrifices made can help you appreciate one another more and help you
reconnect.
For more information:
Pumpkin Carving
After you have picked your pumpkin it is time to carve!
Before carving your pumpkins, each of you decides something
to carve into each pumpkin. Do your best at carving what your spouse
chose. Try you very best and be excited for what they chose. After each of
you is done carving, show each other.
Relationship Reconnection: Be excited for his or her efforts,
remember carving is sometimes difficult and not everyone is an artist.
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ABC Relationship Scavenger Hunt
When there isn’t a night out available in the budget or the
possibility of getting a sitter, you can still date your spouse from the
convenience of your own home! All you need for this date are:
A few pieces of paper
A writing utensil.
Here’s what you’ll do: starting from the top of the page,
write the letters A through Z, one letter for each line, in list form. You’ll
then proceed to write down qualities that your spouse possesses that start with
each letter. Once you are done, share what you wrote about one another with
each other. Some of the letters will be hard to come up with a word or phrase,
but be creative! You don’t always have to start off the phrase with the letter
you’re on. For example, with the letter “X” you could write, “great eXample” or
“always eXcited about life.” Proceed to then explain the quality in detail if
more elaboration or explanation is needed, such as providing examples or
instances when the quality was seen or put in place.
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Relationship Reconnection:This activity can be a relationship booster or relationship
destroyer, depending on how you handle it. Make sure you are writing down
positive qualities that your spouse possesses, looking for the good in each
other rather than the bad. No relationship is perfect, and we all have our
flaws, but for this activity, look past all of that and try to see the good in
your spouse that made you fall in love with them in the first place. They’ll be
doing the same for you.
Living Room Camp Out
Looking for a cheap date or just don’t want to go out? Time
to get out the blow up mattress. Blow it up and have a camp out in your living
room. Bring out lots of blankets and pillows. Make your favorite dessert. You
could each pick a movie that you are interested in watching. While watching
your show or shows don’t be afraid to cuddle and get close to one another.
Relationship Reconnection:Take
time to each say one thing you love about the other person’s body. You can even
turn out all the lights and use flashlights and camping chairs to make it more
like camping. If you find yourselves really enjoying each others company don’t
be afraid to kiss one another and who knows where it may lead!
Karaoke Night
For this date you should each take a few minutes to look on
YouTube for songs with lyrics that you would like to sing and one song that you
each choose for your partner to sing. Pop a bowl of popcorn or bring out a bag
of cookies that you can enjoy while you watch each sing your hearts out.
Relationship Reconnection:Cheer
each other on. You can join in and do songs together if you would like. Even
pick a song that has two parts if you are feeling adventurous. In between
breaks, take some time to talk about each other’s day. Remember to look in your
partner’s eyes and really listen to them.
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Newly Wed Game
How long have you been married? One year? Twenty years? No
matter, let’s play a round of the newly wed game. Take turns asking each
other’s questions. You can have prizes for each question that you get right.
You can do small prizes like starbursts or larger ones like a cookie. You can
even make it a competition. Who ever can get the most right earns the choice to
have the favorite dessert for dinner.
Dance Date
Have you ever just wanted to “bust a move” in your own
house? Put together a play list with your favorite songs as well as your
partner’s favorite songs. Push back the furniture and get ready to dance your
hearts out until your feet hurt.
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Relationship Reconnection: What better way to reconnect then to dance and
enjoy the night. Dancing gives you the opportunity to talk with each other as
well as rekindle your love through dancing. Something as simple as dancing
closely can help reconnect a couple that has started to grow apart.
Watch the Sunrise
There is just something special about getting up early in
the quiet of the morning with your spouse to watch the sunrise. During
this peaceful setting you can sit and talk about your dreams and desires for
your marriage. In what ways can you build your friendship?
Relationship Reconnection: Daydream
about places you want to see together. Just enjoy each other's company.
When you are done watching the sunrise come back home and make breakfast
together. You can make waffles with fresh strawberries on top. Or what ever
your favorite breakfast treat is.
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Dinner on a Budget
Chick- fil- A is the perfect place to eat when you are
looking for quality on a budget! The crispy chicken sandwich and fresh squeezed
lemonade are the most popular menu items. Chick-fil-A started out with two
missions- "Be America's best quick-service restaurant.” and "To glorify God by being a
faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence
on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” They have worked hard to
accomplish these missions and are now a leading food service retailer.
Relationship Reconnection: If a business didn't have a
mission statement or goal- how would they know what to achieve and where to put
their focus? A goal can become clouded if it's not written down and referred to
often. Just like businesses, married couples should also have a purpose and
goals! While you eat or as you wait for your food, write your marriage mission
statement. (Bring a notepad and pens or pencils on this date.) What are some
main goals you have together? Some general ideas might be to bring joy to each
other and other family members, work together in raising children to be upright
adults, or travel the world. Write down some things you want to accomplish in
your marriage and then specifically how you will do it. Write one sentence that
will capture the overall mission for your marriage. As you discuss these
things, practice really and truly listening to your spouse when he or she is
talking.
For more information:
Website: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/
Feeling Daring
If you are feeling like you and your partner want a steamy night
together here are few things you can do:
Play twister NAKED
Strip Trivia-ask each other steamy questions and have some
fun
Naked game night
Massages-you can use lotion or oil
Enjoy the time to get intimate with your spouse.
Marshmallow War
Make marshmallow guns and have a marshmallow war. Buy some
PVC pipe from a hardware store and
make your
guns. Then have an all out war!
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Relationship Reconnection: After you are done, you can make some rice-crispy treats.
While you are enjoying your treats ask each other the following questions:
If you didn’t have to worry about making a living, what
would you most like to do for the rest of your life?
If we could just drop what we’re doing and go do something
fun, what would it be?
Wisconsin Dells
Up for an adventure? Plan a trip to the Wisconsin Dells! You
can stay the night, go to the water part, and go out to eat.
For more information:
Relationship Reconnection: While there you can enjoy some time to reconnect. Talk to
each othere about your favorite rides. Why what that ride your favorite? Is
there anything else you wish you could do next time you come to the Dells?
Art Museum
Have you ever been to the art museum and a particular piece
makes you think of your loved one or a moment that defined your relationship?
On Wednesday at the Milwaukee Art Museum admission is free to all Milwaukee
County residents. Admission is typically $8, but on Wednesday it’s FREE! All
you need is a valid ID to get in.
Relationship Reconnection: While you are there take a few minutes to
each look around by yourselves. Find a painting that makes you think about your
spouse. Then take the time to explain why to one another.
Domes
Have you ever had the that feeling on Monday morning where
you just want to call in sick to work? Well do it one day and take a trip to
the Domes, also known as the Mitchell Park Conservatory. On Monday mornings
from 9-11:30 they are free. However if you can’t make it on a Monday morning it
is only $5 for Milwaukee County Residents.
Relationship Reconnection:While you are there, take some time
to enjoy one another’s company. Enjoy an intimate conversation. Try to see
where each other are coming from. Take turns talking and let the other one
finish their complete thought before you start talking again.
The Domes are
located at 524 S. Layton Blvd.
Ice Skating
We all know how cold it can get in winter here in Milwaukee,
but if you are willing to brave the cold there is a great place down town to go
enjoy some ice-skating. If you already have your own ice skates, it’s free to
get on the ice. If you need to rent a pair, it’s only $5.50. Take this time to
skate hand in hand. Try something new if you have never gone.
Relationship Reconnection: Help each other
learn how skate. Hold hands as you go around the rink, even interlock your
fingers. Talk about how you are feeling and if you are scared about being on
the ice.
The rink is located downtown at 920 N. Water St.
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Baseball
Most everyone enjoys going to a baseball game and eating a
good ballpark hot dog. Downtown Milwaukee has a beautiful stadium the Miller
Park, which is home to the Milwaukee Brewers. You can usually get tickets for
pretty cheap if you don’t mind sitting a little higher up, or you can spend a
little more and get pretty close seats.
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Relationship Reconnection: While at the game you can talk about
your favorite foods at the park, or try a different sweet treat together, like
a new flavor of dip n’ dots.
State Fair
The Wisconsin State Fair is a big deal around Milwaukee.
There are all sort of fun fried foods and rides to go on. This is a state
favorite and a summer must do every year. Typically they will have a few
specials running and a few deals for families. This could be a fun date that
you can take your family to. You can go on a ride and try new foods together. You
can find out more each year at: wistatefair.com.
The state fair is located at: 640 S 84th St, West Allis, WI 53214.
Discovery World
Discovery World is a
science and technology center. There are also a few exhibits located within
Discovery World. There is: The Reiman Aquarium, Les Paul’s House of Sound,
Helen Bader Foundation’s Great Lakes Future, City of Freshwater and Badger
Meter Liquid House, and Rockwell Automation Dream Machine.
Relationship Reconnection:This would be a great
place to take the children and enjoy some time walking down the hall together
holding hands. Who knows, you may even learn something new.
For more information:
Discovery World is
located at: 500 N. Harbor Dr., Milwaukee, WI.
Pizza Night
The Pizza Man has
quite a large menu. You can have a date night with just your spouse or you can
order family style. They top their pizzas with 100% Wisconsin mozzarella
cheese. After you enjoy a pizza go home and put a puzzle together.
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Relationship Reconnection: Get excited
for each other whenever your spouse connects a piece. Marriage is about encouraging each other to be better. Be happy for one another when something good happens.
For more information:
The Pizza Man is located at 2597 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee,
WI.
Market Adventure
If you are feeling
up for a new adventure you should take an evening and go check out the
Milwaukee Public Market. They have tons of vendors and things to look at. Give
each other a budget. You could keep it small and give each other $10 or go
bigger if you want. As you walk around buy something that you think the other
will like.
Relationship Reconnection:After you have both spent your money, talk about why you bought each
item and why it made you think of your spouse. Remember to say thank you for
every item that they bought for you.
For more information:
Milwaukee Public Market is located at 400
N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI.
Zoo Animals
The zoo is such an
amazing place to go and enjoy the beauty of so many animals. This is a date
that you can the whole family to or just enjoy a quite night together. Make it
a point to visit each other’s favorite animals, if they have them.
Relationship Reconnection:Ask each other why they love that
particular animal. Try finding an animal that represent your spouse’s best
qualities and explain why you chose that animal to describe them.
For more information:
The Milwaukee
County Zoo is at: 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd.
The hours depend on the month, as
does the price.
You can check it out at: www.milwaukeezoo.org
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Game Night!
Play a game of scrabble, but this time only spell out words
that describe one another. When you spell a word explain why that word makes
you think of your spouse or significant other. You can also do variations of
this where only ever third word you spell has to be something that makes you
think of your spouse/significant other.
Picnic in the Park
The Boerner Botanical Gardens, an internationally renowned horticultural showplace in the Milwaukee County Parks.
Relationship Reconnection: While you are having your picnic, have some fun with this I Love You A-Z activity. Each one of you writes down every letter from A to Z on a piece of paper and then then writes something starting with each letter that you love about your spouse. For example, A - your Adorable smile, B - the Big hugs you give me when you get home everyday, etc. When you are done, share them with each other. Be creative and honest about the things you enjoy most about each other!
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For more information:
Boerner Botanical
Gardens
in Whitnall Park
9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners, WI 53130
(414) 525-5600
Ages 6 and up
Price: $3-$5.50 (Can purchase a membership)
Enjoy the Stars
If you have a kiddie pool laying around at home, or one that
you could borrow from a friend or neighbor, this may be a fun date to try!
Clean out that old kiddie pool and fill it with blankets, pillows, and all
things cozy. Snuggle up and watch the stars! This works best if you have an
inflatable pool but any would work. If you get the timing right you may even
see a shooting star, planet, or other galactic feature!
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For a list of meteor
showers and their dates, you can visit:
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors
Start a Love Journal
Keep a love journal by your bed. Take
turns every other night writing in it. It doesn't have to be fancy - it can
just be a plain spiral notebook. But the point is, it keeps love on the mind.
It forces you to find the good things in each other - the little things - every
day.
Up Your Cooking Game
and Learn a New Dish
HERE
is a list of the most popular cooking channels on YouTube. Learn how to cook
something you've never made before.
Technology Free Zone
We
live in a world full of technology. Instead of using snail mail to contact distant
relatives and friends, we can communicate with them in just seconds! We can
watch the president speak on TV, stay connected with lots of people at once
through social media, and do online networking to increase our chances of
employment. These, along with many more, are the amazing benefits that come
with technology. However, when technology isn't properly balanced in life, it
can get in the way of our relationships. It's possible to stay connected with
thousands of friends online but neglect the people that are right next to us-
even our spouse.
Do you have your cell phone handy 24/7? Are you constantly
checking Facebook, text messages, a digital calendar and emails?
Plan
a "Technology Timeout" date! For an evening, put away all
electronic devices including cell phones, computers, tablets, TV's, and
anything else that keeps your attention.
Relationship Reconnection: One
way to experience a technology free zone is to go camping!! Dust off the tent
and sleeping bags that have been sitting in your garage and head out to the
camp site for a night. If you are in a situation with family or close friends
near by, ask someone to babysit for the night while you experience a night
under the stars as a couple. If you don't have that option, consider taking the
kids with you and making it a technology free family camping trip!
The Selfless Date
Have you ever noticed that after doing something really nice
for your spouse you feel really good? Ever spend time serving someone and then
come home to realize that all your worries have been forgotten about? Research
has it that it is not by chance or coincidence that this happens.
At the National Institute of Marriage a research article
shows, as many other research articles have shown as well, that those who spend
time serving are much happier than those who do not. These people have greater
personal relationships with others, have higher self esteem, and most
applicable to you and why you are here on this blog...they have higher marital
satisfaction.
Since we all want to be happier and we all definitely want
to have higher marital satisfaction then maybe it's about time we start
planning our dates more selflessly!
So lets get started: get out a paper and pencil and think up
your spouses favorite things, maybe favorite memories, favorite activities,
favorite food, even favorite sexual setting and in the case that your a girl,
his favorite lingerie. Keep yourself out of the brainstorm activity completely
and try to only focus on your spouses loves, some might coincide with yours
which is all the better but try to keep the activity as unbiased towards your
interests as you can.
Once your brainstorm is complete and you feel like you have
enough to work with, create a date out of the things you have written down. For
example: if one of his/her favorite memory is your proposal then try and visit
the place it happened, or a place similar and have his/her favorite dinner
there while listening to their favorite music. If you took your brain storming
activity seriously then the date possibilities will be endless and incredibly
endearing.
Relationship Reconnection: Take a minute after the date is complete to write down
how spending all your energy trying to create your spouse's favorite date made
your feel. Being able to reflect back on the positive feelings this date will
inevitably bring will ensure you want to create more and more selfless dates in
the future. You might be surprised to find that you spouse starts doing the
same for you as well!
Harley Davidson
Museum
Milwaukee is the birthplace of the Harley Davidson Motor
Company. The company dates back all the way to 1903. The best day to check out the Harley Davidson
Museum is Friday. In addition to everything the museum has to offer inside, the
parking lot is transformed into a vintage car show each week. Milwaukee
residents gather there starting at 5 p.m. to show off their old fashioned hot
rods and Model Ts to anyone caring to stop by.
CHEESE!!
One
of the things Wisconsin is well known for is their Cheese. The Wisconsin Cheese
Mart offers a variety of over 175 locally produced cheeses. Located on Old
World Third Street in downtown Milwaukee, The Wisconsin Cheese Mart has been
around since the 1930’s. At the cheese bar you can sample and taste cheeses and
spend less than $5!
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