In previous posts we defined the date, balanced the budget, bagged the babysitter and customized the categories. Today we will see essential elements to any date. All dates are not the same but all good dates will include certain elements!

1.  Romance

Ahhhh, candle light… freshly cut roses… and Lionel Richie playing in the background.  OK, maybe Lionel Richie is not your thing, but nonetheless, romance is an essential element in Dating.  From our earliest days we are conditioned to desire romantic love, just re-watch any Disney movie and you’ll see.  Yet it’s not just the ladies.  I cannot tell you how many times I have had men complain to me during marriage counseling that their was “cold” romantically.  Go to a nice restaurant and spend time looking into each other’s eyes.  Complement your love on their clothing, smile or general appearance.  You may think that this is a bit silly and unnecessary but I challenge you to read the Song of Solomon in the Bible and see how many specific compliments were given from man to wife and from wife to man. romance, setting the mood is important.

  Continue reading “Date Your Mate – Part 5”

In previous posts, we defined the date, balanced the budget, and bagged the babysitter. Today we will Customize the Categories. A date is a date is a date is a… disappointment.  Though all men are created equal not all dates are.  Therefore, we must catalogue and customize our categorized dates. Dating:

Continue reading “Date Your Mate – Part 4”

Last post we defined the date. This week we balance the budget.

I cannot tell you how many times I have taken the name of Dave Ramsey in Vain.  “DAAAAVE!”  After taking Dave Ramsey’s Course, Financial Peace University, there were hundreds of occasions that I wanted to forget the budget and just splurge.

 Who cares if I couldn’t afford it?  I wanted it and I wanted it… NOW!  But then I would picture Dave in his button-down shirt and hip, faded jeans saying in his thick southern drawl, “Live like no one else, so that later you can Live Like No One Else!”  Makes me sick!  But it did get me out of debt and on my way to financial security.  By the way, thanks Dave! When it comes to dating your mate, you will never be able to do this effectively if you don’t budget for it!

Continue reading “Date Your Mate – Part 2”

Over the next few blog posts, I am going to be writing about the importance of dating in the marriage relationship.  I hope that you will follow along.

Although there are MANY areas in my life that I am struggling to improve, my dating life is not one of them.  I have been married to Heather for 11 years, and we are deeply in love!  I am not just talking about the obligatory kind of love that I must give because of the vows I made years ago, but a romantic love that continues to grow deeper throughout the years.  Some may question if this is even possible.

Continue reading “Date Your Mate – Part 1”