A twist on date nights. Have you gotten to that time in your life when the kids are no longer filling your schedule? Or maybe you are just looking for a few nights or days a month to reconnect with your partner.
This September my husband and I found ourselves in a time of our life where we have not been in about 20 years.. With A LOT of spare time on our hands. Not quite empty nesters, but darn close.
Bam! All at once, we had one child leave home and one child in Grade 12, who also decided that she no longer wanted to continue in her sport. So that now frees up our weeknights and weekends where we would once have been involved in driving, coaching and cheering our kids on.
So I have compiled some ideas for date nights or date days to get us and you out of the house.
Who’s Ready for Some Football?
Date nights do not always have to be on a weekend. How about that for a twist on date nights. A Monday Night Football evening out. My husband is a football fan and enjoys watching his favourite NFL Team – Chicago Bears. And to be honest, I don’t mind watching it either. (I figure if I watch some football, maybe he will want to want some Real Housewife drama) So why not head to your favourite sports bar and hang out, watch the game with some food and a beverage.
One of our favourite go to places is Fergus and Bix in Calgary. They have 2 locations in Calgary. The atmosphere is great, service is good, and they carry some great craft beer or wine if you are so inclined to have a drink on a Monday. Our favourite thing to order is their Beer Board charcuterie. More then enough for 2 people. Check them out for their weekly specials. Monday nights they have happy hour from 3pm-6pm and between 9pm -11pm.
Take a Drive
The mountains are calling. We are very lucky to live so close to a National Park that many people travel miles and days to see. Yet it takes us an hour to get there and we so rarely do. But that is about to change. Explore what the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park have by taking a walk or hike.
Or you could drive an hour northwest and learn about bees, honey and mead. Just recently my husband and I took a drive to a small town northwest of the city, Water Valley. We found a hidden gem called Fallen Timber. A third generation bee farm or apiary that also makes mead and carbonated mead, honey and beeswax candles. Tours and tastings on the weekend.
Did you know that male bees only have one job – mating with the queen. After that they die.
Dinner and a Movie
Classic Mom and Dad night out. And I can’t remember the last time we went to a movie in the theater that was not animated ;).
This summer there was a old restaurant that become new again. Flores and Pine in Northwest Calgary, reinvented itself from the old Bears Den in Bearspaw. The highly anticipated renovated space opened in July. And you really do have to see it. So open, bright and inviting. We have enjoyed a few nights there since it has opened and have always had excellent service and food. (and there wine isn’t bad either!!). This place is close enough for us that we can then head to the closest movie theater and catch a flick or just head home and catch the latest feature on Netflix or CraveTV.
Maybe there is a special place in your neck of the woods that you like to have date nights or date days. Share in the comments below. Always looking for a new adventure 🙂
Don’t forget to check out this post on Getting to Know Each Other Again in the Next Stage of Life.
**on a side note, this is not a sponsored post. Just wanted to share some of the places we have been on our date nights**
Danni
