In 2023, my husband and I averaged one date out every other month. Six dates, mostly food-centered. Dressing up, enjoying fancy food and drinks out, and leaving the kiddos at home felt so special.
In Q4, my husband and I examined many of our family rhythms, specifically how we could grow in our marriage. We committed to carving out more time together, sans preschoolers. Our 2024 New Years Resolution, Couples Edition: Thursday night “Date Night.”
With a new weekly cadence, we had the opportunity to try non-food ideas. We agreed that if the activity was a bust, we wouldn’t do it again. Three months in and non-dinner Date Night is a success! It’s been enriching to see my husband in a new light as we’ve laughed, tapped into endorphins, and tried new-to-us dates.
Here is a recap of some of our favorites so far.
Date 1: Rock Climbing
My husband and I arrive at the climbing gym in our favorite joggers and sign consent forms. The high school employees tighten us into harnesses and explain the triple carabiner system for the auto-belays.
I select a two-story wall with yellow climbing holds. My heart is racing, and my hands are a bit shaky. I haven’t been rock climbing in years! I look over at my husband, and he smiles broadly and gives me a thumbs up. I approach the wall with quiet steps, take a deep breath in and reach. When I ring the bell at the top of the wall, my grin stretches from one ear to the other.
“Way to go!!” my husband cheers at the base of the wall. I rappel down and am transported to our honeymoon nine years earlier. I am at the top of a waterfall in a jungle in Puerto Rico. My heart thumps in my throat, and I’m unsure I’ll have enough courage to walk backward down to the pool below. My husband cheers me on. I give him an enormous kiss when we both make it down, our bodies full of adrenaline.
Where to go?
I love High Point Climbing in Birmingham (off 280).
Date 2: Bowling
My husband shows off his new bowling shoes like a model at the end of our lane. I snap his photo, and my laughter joins the pins pummeled at nearby lanes’ back-ends.
“I guess we’re really getting into this!” I exclaim in jest and look down at my stiff bowling rental shoes.
“We’re Go-All-In People!” he assures me with a wink and gives me a hug. (Two weeks later he buys a bowling ball. He then puts both his new shoes and ball to use every other Tuesday for $1 bowling after his men’s Bible study.)
I carefully select a 12 lb shiny, purple ball and take a deep breath in. I can do this! I line my feet up in the middle of the arrows. Three fingers hold the ball in a bicep curl. Step! I release the ball, attempting to keep it straight.
“I did it!” I cheer. “Strike!” I shout with a fist pump when all the pins fall. We spend the evening throwing balls, celebrating great frames, and laughing at ourselves.
Where to go?
I love both Vestavia Bowl in Vestavia or Oak Mountain Lanes in Pelham. Vestavia Bowl also has an arcade and offers $1 games from 9-10 pm. Oak Mountain Lanes has an arcade, too, as well as laser tag.
Date 3: Dance Lessons
My husband opens the door for me, and we walk into a large room with wood floors and many walls of mirrors. Tango music plays through the speakers, and a couple elegantly steps and dips. Our instructor, Jackie, greets us with a smile and leads us to our section of the room.
“What brings you to us today?” Jackie asks and opens her arms to show off the studio. Her shoulder-length brown hair sways like a willow branch when she gestures.
“We are incorporating more date nights into our lives. And, we really enjoyed the couple of dance lessons we took before we got married,” I tell her.
“We wanted to do something fun together,” my husband adds. The song changes to something more upbeat, and the couple continues to dance on the other side of the room.
“I love that!” Jackie exclaims and clasps her hands together. “When was your last lesson?”
“June 2015,” I tell her with a smile.
I am transported back to 2015. I am 27 years old, newly engaged, and living in Washington, D.C. Cherry blossoms are at peak bloom. I still gaze at my engagement ring under different lighting to admire its shine and daydream about becoming Mrs. Silvester. I am in my fiance’s arms, and we are delighted to successfully complete a spin.
Jackie’s soft touch brings me back to the present. We spend the next 40 minutes remembering how to hold our bodies and arms, how to lead and follow. We dance the simple box step to a slow song and the one-step swing to a faster song. After the lesson ends we are in shock at how quickly the time flew. On our way out we sign up for five more lessons. We loved connecting over movement and our hands in one another’s.
Where to go?
Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Hoover offers a private introduction class as well as class packages. There is a Friday dance social every other week from 7:30-8:30 pm to practice your new moves.
Share your favorite non-dinner dates in Birmingham in the comments!
