Three night's out of the week my husband and I are at church giving all of our energy to others, and the other four days are usually spent recuperating.
With that being said...for those of you who are in the same boat...remember that it's important to spend time with your spouse outside of youth group and church functions.
The very center of your marriage hinges on spending quality time together and enjoying one another's company.
I know this from experience because when Mr. YM and I don't take time for us...we get cranky and irritated with one another instead of living out 2 Corinthians 13 (you know...the chapter in the Bible about Love...).
Our Top 10 Things we LOVE to do Together
(These are not in any particular order.)
1.) Movie Night- this could mean going to the movies, renting a movie, or watching a movie on Netflix.
2.) Going to a local park or beach with a homemade packed picnic or fast food you picked up on the way.
3.) Arcade Fun- Find a local arcade where you can both have some friendly competition. (Mr. YM especially likes this one! :)
4.) Try a NEW restaurant every week OR at least once a month! We've recently been trying out all the Sushi restaurants in our area. We are super excited to have found a sushi HAPPY HOUR! Half price on all sushi rolls...why thank you I think I will!
5.) Go on a walk, hike or bike ride together! This can be exhausting sometimes, but sooooo worth it! It's like quality time and "FUN" exercise rolled into one...which I need desperately since I don't usually enjoy exercise.
6.) Figure out the local festivities and GO TRY SOMETHING NEW! Mr. YM and I found a local Rib Fest here in Miami last year and made a point to go to it again this year. IT...WAS...AWESOME! Finger-lickin' good!
7.) Read a book together- This is something Mr. YM and I do occasionally and it's totally worth it! Although he is usually a much speedier reader and can retain more info than me, when we read together we are learning together. We share common thoughts about a certain subject and can reflect on the subject together. No this isn't something that's ascertainable all the time, but reading the same book together occasionally is pretty beneficial if I do say so myself. Some books we've read together...The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller, In a Pit with a Lion by Mark Batterson, What's so Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey, and Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley.
8.) Plan a weekend trip together- It's fun and needed to just GET AWAY sometimes. Make time to go somewhere together to explore, relax and renew your minds. You'll be glad you did!
9.) Date Night- Pick one day/night a week that you spend together. It doesn't have to be super fancy. It just has to be the two of you. Sometimes Mr. YM and I just like to sit around and do nothing together. Just as long as we're in the same room enjoying each other's company.
10.) Pick a project and work on it together- This could be cleaning or fixing stuff around the house/apartment together...cooking together...making something.
Now these are just our TOP 10, and I'm sure there are more ideas out there. Let me know if you have any other ideas or things that you and your youth minister spouse like to do together!
Have a blessed day!
Sincerely,
MYM Jessica
