Have you thought lately about how crazy life can get, especially with kids running around? Between chauffeuring the little ones to activities, keeping up with work, and just keeping up the home front, it can be easy to let dating fall by the wayside. Trust me, I’ve been there!
The secret sauce to lasting passion? Keep dating!
But here’s the hard truth, my dear: If you don’t actively nurture and prioritize your romantic relationship, it will suffer. Making time for each other isn’t just nice to have-it’s absolutely essential for long-term happiness, deep intimacy, and that oh-so-important spark.
Think back to those first giddy months of falling in love. You couldn’t get enough of each other! Stolen glances across a crowded room, inside jokes, crazy chemistry-the feeling was pure magic. Deep down, you knew this was the person you wanted by your side through thick and thin.
Well, I’m here to remind you that the thrill doesn’t have to fade just because you’ve hit some big relationship milestones like getting married or having kids. In fact, making a conscious effort to keep dating and connecting is what keeps that spark crackling for years and decades to come!
That’s why I love the 7-7-7 relationship rule.
It’s such a simple yet brilliant way to ensure that you two lovebirds stay on the same team, aligned, and in tune with each other’s needs. Here’s how it works:
Every 7 days: Date Night
Remember your first date? Those giddy dates full of flirty banter, deep conversations, and fingers intertwined across the table? Well, just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean it has to stop!
Every 7 days, you and your partner commit to spending quality, kid-free time together on a date night or day date.
Need some date night inspiration to reignite the spark? Check out this guide to date night beauty to feel confident and radiant.
Now, I know what you’re thinking-“But, Sofi, babysitters are so expensive!” Girl, I hear you. That’s why I’ve got a ton of cheap date night ideas that will scratch that romantic itch without breaking the bank:
- Pack a picnic and spread out a blanket at your favorite scenic spot
- Cozy up with homemade facials and a couples massage
- Check out the free museum/art nights in your town
- Hike local trails and stop to admire the view
- Visit a farmer’s market and pick out ingredients for a delicious meal to cook together
- Curl up with some old-school rom-coms and have a movie marathon.
The key is to find activities that allow the two of you to fully engage and connect without distractions. Put away your phones, look into each other’s eyes, and remember what it feels like to get giddy around your one and only!
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Every 7 weeks: A Magical 24 Hours (Just the Two of You!)
While the weekly dates are crucial for stoking the flames, the 7-week dates are where you really go big and prioritize quality time together. For 24 glorious, uninterrupted hours, it’s just you two lovebirds on an adventure you’ll both enjoy!
Maybe you’ll finally check into that cozy bed and breakfast you’ve been dreaming about and spend the day being total nudists, if you know what I mean! Or take an epic road trip to a nearby city, blasting your favorite playlists and singing off-key car karaoke like you’re immortal rock stars.
If adrenaline’s more your thing, plan an action-packed day hitting the roller coasters at the nearest theme park or shredding the mountain bike trails at a scenic nature preserve.
You could even dress up and channel your inner critic with a decadent, multi-course progressive dinner in the city.
The possibilities for 24-hour dates are limitless-just find an activity you’re both equally excited about. That shared excitement and quality time away from the daily grind is pure reconnection magic. Even if budgets are tight, getting creative with picnics, game nights, or volunteering side-by-side can be bonding in its own way.
Get creative to capture those memories! No matter what 24 Hour Adventure you embark on, make sure you savor every moment! Try one of these creative ways to capture your happy days and romantic milestones. Having physical reminders of those precious memories will keep the spark alive for years to come.
Here are a few ideas:
- Take a road trip to a nearby city or scenic destination for an adventurous day trip.
- Book a romantic getaway, complete with a luxurious hotel stay right in your own city.
- Indulge in a relaxing day at the spa and enjoy couples’ treatments like massages.
- Explore the great outdoors with an invigorating hike or bike ride through a local nature preserve.
- Spend the day being tourists in your own city, wandering through parks, museums, and galleries.
- Enjoy the comfort of familiarity, but shake up your routine by driving to the next town to shop, dine, and stroll like strangers.
- Find a breathtaking vista, peaceful lake, or flower-filled park to simply bask in the beauty of nature.
- When life is hectic, choose quiet time at home – but with intimate intention.
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Every 7 months: A mini Just-Us Vacation!
While the weekly and monthly dates focus on nurturing your connection as a couple, these quarterly getaways also allow you to rediscover yourselves as individuals away from the daily grind. Who were you before you became parents? What set your souls on fire? Use this precious time to relax, try new things, and rekindle those long-forgotten interests and passions.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to take a couple’s cooking class in Italy and spend your days sipping wine and making fresh pasta from scratch. Or you could go completely off the grid and disconnect from the world for a few days at an eco-resort where you spend your mornings practicing meditation and yoga together.
If you have wanderlust, check out budget-friendly weekend getaways or grab a cheap flight to somewhere warm and sunny. Even a quick two-night stay at a local resort can be incredibly restorative if you spend those sacred hours diving into new experiences as a duo.
At the end of the day, the destination doesn’t matter nearly as much as having uninterrupted time to focus on connecting, breaking out of the daily rut, and remembering who you were as individuals before the kids came along. This self-awareness and opportunity for growth is essential fuel for a lasting, passionate partnership.
The 7-7-7 Rule for a Thriving Relationship
Now, I know what you’re thinking-there’s no way I’m going to find the time or money to go on all those dates! But here’s the thing, honey. This model is designed to be sustainable in the long run, no matter what season of life you’re in. When the kids are young and budgets are tight, the weekly dates can definitely happen at home after they’re tucked in. And monthly 24-hour dates can be as simple as dropping them off at grandma’s house for the night!
The point is, you’re making your relationship a priority with consistent, focused efforts to nurture that intimacy. Because at the end of the day, your partner is the one who’s going to be there for you through all of life’s ups and downs. When the kids are grown and you’re both empty-nesting in your golden years, you’ll want to know you have that rock-solid foundation to rely on.
So, think of the 7-7-7 rule as an investment in your long-term happiness, proactively working on that deep, irreplaceable romantic partnership. Keep chipping away at it, week after week, month after month, and you’ll reap the benefits of a fulfilling marriage that only grows stronger with time.
Things may get shaky or unstable at times, but that consistent dating will be your anchor, reminding you why you fell madly in love in the first place. That’s the stuff of stunning 50th anniversary love stories, my friend! So, what are you waiting for? Start prioritizing your relationship today with these simple yet transformative guidelines. You’ve got this!
Just Save Your Happiness!
Yours, Sofi