In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy for couples to get caught up in routines and responsibilities and push their relationship to the back burner. That's where date nights come in. These special evenings aren't just about dinner and a movie; they're about reconnecting, nurturing intimacy, and keeping the spark alive. It's a chance to step out of the roles of co-parents, roommates, or business partners and lean into being a romantic couple again.

Most couples find the idea of date nights appealing in theory, yet struggle with the planning and logistics. By the time they get to the end of a busy week, take care of all the housework, and find a babysitter, they’re exhausted. There’s no leftover energy to get creative, so they just go out to eat and call it “date night.” This is perfectly fine—but don’t let that be the only quality time you spend together. If you really want to invest in your relationship, you’ll need to put a little more effort in.

Research shows that couples who plan quality time together report higher levels of emotional and physical intimacy. In other words, they not only feel closer and more connected as friends, they feel more chemistry and attraction........

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