We're a working class couple with two kids and a third every other weekend. We've tried to have date night before but due to lack of money, lack of baby-sitters and being just plain lazy, it always disintegrated into watching X-Files re-runs and going to bed early. We tried looking online for ideas but either came up blank or found the same tired cliches (how many Italian meals do these web sites think we can eat?). So here we are; tired, lonely, bored and frustrated. First step, re-committing to setting aside a few hours on a designated night just for ourselves. Second step, find something to do together, with a few rules thrown in. Third step, remember that this is not just about something to do, it's a gift of time to our partner. We thought we'd track what works for us, what doesn't work for us and share what we learn about being parents, having jobs, having no money and still finding time for each-other. After all, we got married because we're madly in love and like being together.



Teamwork



The dinner was a bit more elaborate than usual. He was going to get an "Italian" meal just to be funny but then saw a fondue box and was sold. Yeah, it was close to $12 but he saved some money buying day-old bread. And cheese is good. He also got a small bowl of olive oil and added a bit of pepper, salt, some generic seasoning, and a pinch of garlic powder. Romantic dinner for two, less than $15.


Errands she had to run gave dinner a very late start but he used the time to clean the TV area. Wait, TV? Yes, but he can explain. The kids were still up and fondue is a meal that you need to sit for. So we turned on something for the baby while we ate gobs of cheesy bread and talked about the week, plans for the weekend and plans for Date Night. Don't give us crap about using the TV as a baby-sitter, it's Date Night and whatever keeps the little savages out of our way is a valid option.


So after the monsters were finally in bed and asleep, we got going on Date Night. It was nearly 10:30. Late, yes, but we are committed. So we were off. This week, he decided on juggling. Yeah, it sounds like a cop-out given the Mid-Week check in but he really wants to do this. He's actually tried to do this before.


The thing about juggling is anyone can do it. And any two people can juggle together. Not just in the same room, but with four hands and three balls. Sounds like some manager's team-building schtick, right? Well it's true and it works. After about an hour and a half of picking up balls, laughing, picking up balls, teasing, and picking up balls we got it for a few tosses. We wont be winning any prizes for our juggling talent, but we had a hell of a lot of fun.

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