Marriage

Love At Ease

September has been a very busy month for us. I have taken on two part-time jobs which has shifted our schedule in addition to the volunteer work I already do. While already juggling so many moving parts, we are trying to keep our relationship a priority. In that vein, we aim to start off each month by doing a date night in box. So today, the last day of September, we are doing our box so we walk into October but they renewed sense in our relationship that will hopefully fuel and provide energy for the chaos that October’s schedule will bring.

The beauty of these boxes, is that it is all inclusive. There’s no need to rearrange schedules or hire a sitter, we pick a night that we can do it, or do it over various nights if we are only able to do one activity, and enjoy the aftereffect. The conversations sparked by boxes are probably our favorite moments. Like most parents, most of our conversations are logistical. “ Take kid a to point C at this time and I will take kid B to point B and meet you at Costco at 7.” If this is your life too, consider a Date Night In box.

This months theme was Love at Ease – encouraging us to take a break together. And it came at the perfect time.

The table talk pamphlet in the book talking about the busy scheduled and chaos we live in. Reminds us that we are not designed to go without rest so a reset or a break in pattern is good. While we lived in Japan, we would frequently see businessmen and women on the train taking a nap while coming to and from work, they seems to have it down to a science because they would wake up just in time for their stop. They would use that moment of a break to take a rest.

This months date night in box gave us tools to utilize both during the date and during the month. All were focused on rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. Who doesn’t need that?

A quick game of chance with a “easy rollin'” dice game – it used the box the date was sent in and two dice, so it will be easy to repeat on a busy day so we have ten minutes just for us. It was fun and was a great way to break the ice of the day.
Sip and Savor – two tea and two coffee samples were included along with a Coffee Brew Buddy to allow for tea and coffee tasting along with some delicious and crisp biscotti! The tea was so good, that hubby had four cups. It was relaxing and a great reminder that even simple things like a warm sip of coffee can be utilized as a moment to pause and reflect instead of just drinking it on the go. Bonus: we can reuse the Coffee Brew Buddy!
Meditation – Guided meditation was provided on the website allowing us to enjoy the music and to purposefully relax. (It is so hard!)
Crossword puzzle – A little teamwork, a little brain activity, and an enjoyable break from it all. Hmmm…maybe we will get a book of these to do on a monthly basis.
Couples Yoga – Yoga cards with positions were provided. Yoga is known to be beneficial. The Mayo Clinic says it reduces stress, improves fitness and can help manage chronic health conditions like high blood pressure. If it can help manage high blood pressure, imagine what it can do for stress overall! This was very enjoyable. I have done yoga for years, but hubby, not so much. It was very much a team effort in stretches and exercises. It was so enjoyable that we have decided to do this monthly. Check out our poses on Instagram.
Aromatherapy massage oil – A bonus of massage oil from Plantlife was included in the box! Add an additional layer of relaxation when massaging tension points. The oil vial was large enough that we could use it multiple times, not just tonight.

Recipe Card

Like every Date Night In Box, a recipe card is included. This card had the added bonus of being a breakfast recipe card! A recipe for sage and garlic breakfast sausage, buttermilk pancakes topped with cinnamon apples and a cinnamon & maple creamer for coffee or tea. Talk about relaxing, and comforting scents while making the meal. And for the delight of the breakfast for dinner! Yum!

Capping off the night with this glorious herbal bedtime tea!

Get your Date On

Are you looking for a way to connect with your spouse or significant other? Are you looking for fun ways to converse and enjoy time together? All WITHOUT a babysitter? Get your own subscription to Date Night In Box!

Use the code “1FREEWITH3” to get FOUR dates for the price of THREE. Heck yes! Click here, enter the code – and enjoy! Each date theme is specifically curated and a surprise – taking all the planning out of it, except picking up the ingredients for the meal cards if you need them.

If you are interested in trying out a Kids Night In Box or Date Night In Box, click here. We were given this box for free, but are not ambassadors for this company and do not earn commission on any purchases.

Island Adventure, with Date Night In Box

The creativity in August’s Date Night In Box was a delight. With several games to play and a teamwork exercise along with connection of discussion, it was a memorable date. To be completely honest, this last month has been logistically challenging. With a new job with a longer commute changing ability to pick up/drop off, most of our conversations these past few weeks were purely logistical. (Anyone else?) What parent doesn’t have a period where the conversations feel all business-like? These conversations are necessary from time to time. It is also imperative for a loving relationship to go beyond just logistics, and connect back on that romantic and fun level. Again, our Date Night In Box provided just that.

Island Adventure

Each month a new theme is revealed – this month was Island Adventure. Opening the box brought the scents of the beach with the aroma beads, and the sights of an island with a tropical fruit-medley snack. In addition, Island games of word challenge, Love at Sea (a reusable Battleship-esque card game) and by far our favorite – the water gun versus table tennis ball game. These activities were fun, relaxing and provided an opportunity for lighthearted competition and fun!

Beyond that, in the pamphlet thoughtful questions and table talk were discussed. The provided questions allow for guided discussion that frankly after 3 hours commuting we were grateful for. The final activity of the night was Message In the Bottle. Writing ourselves the note, this keepsake will be utilized for reflection and remembrance.

Just Have Fun!

This month’s box was chalk full of three games. The water gun versus table tennis ball game has already be re-utilized with the children this morning. So our date went beyond just us, it provided an opportunity for family fun! Admittedly, this idea seems so simple – a box, golf tees and table tennis balls. But I hadn’t thought about it. The convenience that the idea of the game and the supplies were included meant we could dive right in.

Resusable

The word challenge cards included can be stored and reused in the car for a road trip! The laminated cards for Love At Sea are also in our travel backpack for when we have our next hotel stay. We can play a game with ease without taking up precious suitcase/backpack space. Being reusable means the date goes beyond that one night. It can be reused and reimplemented in various ways. I have played Mexican Train with our children and discussed numbers along with it.

Creative!

Some weeks I lack the brainpower to be creative beyond streaming a movie and popcorn as a date. While those dates are often needed to just relax, they lack the time to connect through play and discussion. The Date Night In boxes have provided opportunities to grow and learn together in the comfort of our home in ways we likely wouldn’t have planned or expected.

DISCOUNT!

Being a parent is not always cookies and rainbows. It is hard decisions that sometimes lead to “I don’t like you” from your kids. These moments can be draining. Commuting hours in the car and demanding jobs are exhausting and draining. The work, parenting, after-school activities, other life duties all pull us in a million different directions and the partner we chose to be on this life with is feeling the same. Going out of the house on a date just isn’t going to happen with everything we have going on currently, and monthly date night in boxes provide us with a way to remain in touch with each other on a level beyond sharing a Google calendar.

That said – there is an awesome discount right now. Thinking about trying out 3 dates for the holiday season when the calendar gets even busier? Click on this link, and enter in the code 1FREEWITH3 to get three dates for the price of two!

Invest in yourself and in your relationship, it will be worth it. Want to see other dates, check out our Instagram highlight of DNI and search the blog for “Date Night In”

We were given this box for free, but are not ambassadors for this company and do not earn commission on any purchases.

DNI: A Great Love

In all honesty, date nights are rare throughout our married life post children. For lots of reasons, but moving often and the lack of trusted babysitters is definitely a big one. Having a date night box that is pre-planned and curated for us provides us the means to date at home, even if the kids are in bed but not asleep, with the flexibility to accommodate a continuously changing schedule. We received our box a few weeks ago and had planned different evenings multiple times this past week and it didn’t happen until last night. Because life. Life happens, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t invest in each other and our relationship.

The theme of “Great Love” takes on the theme of the Great Gatsby and roaring 20s of games and mystery. This date box is probably tied for first for our favorite along with the Aloha DNI box. While we won’t choose our date themes, part of the fun it’s be surprise.

The Spotify music list was excellent and in keeping with the theme save for a couple of songs that can be easily skipped. We listened to the music long after our activities were done for the evening.

Two games were included:Dominoes set and DNI-developed Murder Mystery Game.

The dominoes set came with a video link tutorial on Mexican Train. My husband had seen others play the game but hadn’t played. Truthfully, I hadn’t played the game but had heard of it. It was an easy game to learn and could see us picking this up as a fun family game while camping or just trying to do a family game night. Have you played before?

The second game was developed just for the box as a mix of Clue and Go Fish. As Clue is a favorite game in our house, this was exciting. The characters all had backstories provided in the pamphlet. Weapons and locations were also listed on cards. We played multiple rounds and provided ample laughs and intrigue. The beauty of this card game is it is small enough that we could carry it in a pocket to play outside for a quick evening game or take on a plane. These reusable items provide for together time more than just once, proving what an investment the DNI boxes have become.

The featured snack was a Creme Brûlée fudge made by the Pittsburgh-based chocolatier Chocolate Moonshine. It was smooth, rich and delicious. How did they get that crispy flavor on top of the fudge? So good. If you get an opportunity to try their fudge, you definitely should. We checked out their website and they have so many flavors of interest.

We snacked on the fudge while we answered questions for our time capsule. After being separated geographically while my husband was deployed, the questions were poignant reminders that we are learning to get back in the swing of things, reflections on our growth and our hopes for the future. It will be exciting to open this in 10 years although we laughed when it said to hide it in a basement or attic…that box will be moved multiple times before it is opened. It was fun to relect on the last half of the year – being separated by military deployment and the growth experienced through it, and what we had been able to do as a family since reunion and what we wanted to do together in the coming years.

Parenting is hard work. Adulting is not what we all envisioned (am I right?) – what strengthens the adult relationship is alone time, together time to develop and continue that relationship. If your life is full of work, acitivities, summer comings and going and life, do not neglect yourself or the partnership in your life – go on a date. If your life cannot support a date night out, or the cost associated with it, consider a Date Night In. Be surprised with what you will do as a date next month, and save money while you are at it!

If you are looking for more – consider a 6 or 12 month subscription, use the code NIB2FREE for 2 free dates! If you are interested in trying out a Kids Night In Box or Date Night In Box, click here. We were given this box for free, but are not ambassadors for this company and do not earn commission on any purchases.

The Marine Room High Tide Breakfast

La Jolla, California Date

Dates are elusive to most parents. To military families who have already crazy schedules of deployments, work-ups, field exercises (need I go on) and then add in a new move to a new area – it can add extra pressure to find a date night that is worth the time, money and energy. Why not date in the morning? The Marine Room in La Jolla, California is the ultimate luxurious breakfast date place.

Opening in 1941, The Marine Room became known as the place to go surf side cocktails and stunning cuisine. There are pictures within the entryway of the restaurant that showcase women in their hats and gloves and men with the dark-rimmed glasses and pipes enjoying a drink by the windows at hightide. While smoking is no longer allowed indoors, the ambience and dedication to service still continues.

#MilMomAdventureTip: Parking is on the street or VIP in the lot next to the restaurant. This is not metered parking but you may be parking a block or two away.

This MilMom recently went for High Tide Breakfast. The Marine Room Instagram posted the High Tide Breakfast dates and we made a reservation on Open Table (get those points!).
Personally, this restaurant is a sentimental choice as we celebrated here early in our marriage. As a parent now, it is the ideal place to go. When we go out, we want to go somewhere where we know we are getting an experience because the next date could be a year away. We want the food to be amazing, the ambience to be spectacular and the service to be excellent. Those three things are all met and more at The Marine Room.

Fruit
Hot foods
Charcuterie
Dessert Bar

The High Tide meals are announced on their social media accounts and website. These are announced a month or two in advance when they have the high tide schedule. It is so relaxing to sip coffee while watching the waves crash against the building. The next High Tide breakfast is THIS weekend and again December 8-9 and 22-23. The breakfast buffet is plentiful, and not your normal breakfast buffet. Expect a cheese and fruit variety, crepes, egg omelets made to order, salmon and oh – that dessert bar. Bring your appetite, you will want to try it all. The buffet includes juice, coffee and all you can eat at $58 per person at the time of writing. It is worth the investment in your relationship,and lets be honest – the food is out of this world. The beauty of a breakfast date is you may be able to go when kids are in school, so no additional babysitter cost.

View from the windows
View from the windows

The Marine Room is not your normal date place. The beach side location in La Jolla is pictureworthy, the ambience is calm and relaxing – a welcome change from the sometimes chaotic life of the military, and the food is astounding. For anyone living inthe area, or living the nomadic life and living here for a few years, add TheMarine Room to your Southern California bucket list, and you will not be disappointed.

Fall in Love: Date Night In Box

Date night. When we were dating, it is easy and fun, always an adventure exploring together. When we were just married, dates happened pretty much every evening after work. We hung out, chatted over dinner, chatted about the Doctor Who episode we watched on Netflix, planned hikes for the weekend. Early on in our professional lives, the demands were lower and we the management our lives was stress-free. Add in multiple moves, children, job changes, increasing professional demands, schoolwork and the ever growing list of “chores” around the house…dating is not as simple as sitting down to dinner. Dinner isn’t usually together as a family if I am to be completely honest. Because our list of demands outside and within our family unit is ever growing, and we have to schedule date nights. That is a phase our lives, and it will change again as it did before. To stay connected to each other, to grow in our relationship with each other, we invest one night a month to Date Night In.

This month’s box was Fall In Love. The name itself is the meaning of the date – reflecting on the when, how and what when you fell in love. And upon opening the box, I will admit I got giddy. Every month before there has been a candle inside…this time, it is a make your own candle!!! Yesss! The colonial girl inside of me wanted to do this at Colonial Williamsburg, and now we had the opportunity to do it at home! The aroma beads used to make the candle were awesome and powerful. BONUS: It was very easy to make.

Part of the fun, and romantic part of the date was playing BUNCO. A dice game that every military spouse is introduced into at some point. My active duty spouse knew of it but hadn’t played. It’s a laidback dice game that allows for conversation during, and per the rules, at the end of each round the winner shared a memory from dating. These are not the topics normal conversation covers, and quite frankly we don’t normally have moments where we walk down memory lane. Reflecting on our history and remembering the moments when we fell in love creates softness and rejuvenation of the romantic part of our marriage. Marriage isn’t just about matching up the calendars or syncing email.

An extension of these dates is that we both find we are more intentional in our interactions outside of date night. While we might be rushing around on Monday morning, we take the time to actually connect eyes and say “Good morning” and “I love you.” If my former self from 10 years ago read this she would laugh and say “That seems silly.” Hear me out. There are so many other things pulling at our attention. Beyond work and the children, there is the ever-increasing demand of that phone making noise on the kitchen counter. Being intentional in the interactions in your marriage is something that builds up the marital foundations…and others are watching (kids, dog, neighbors, friends….).
If you have thought about trying a Date Night In box, check out our Instagram to enter the contest to win a box (contest ends evening of November 4th!). Or check out this link here to surprise your spouse with a date night in this holiday!

We were given this box for free, but are not ambassadors for this company and do not earn commission on any purchases.