Great Dates for Great Relationships

By comparison with how people lived only a generation or two ago, most of us lead great lives. The digital revolution, in particular, has profoundly changed our access to information, entertainment and connection. The downside is that it is easy to have the digital world dominate our lives in ways that require lots of maintenance and attention, without the kind of emotional rewards we can gain from simpler pleasures, like nature, live music and cultural events, or simply a relaxed conversation with interesting people.

The irony here is that fun and good times mostly require planning these days. Often it is easier just to default to the couch and, perhaps, a drink to unwind. When overused as a coping strategy this can, over time, have negative effects on our relationships and well-being.

Or maybe it is just that your work is really demanding right now, you may be responsible for children, keeping up a household, a big list of errands and chores. All of which makes it even more important to find the space to renew your intimate connection and be regularly nourished by time together.

A great way develop your connection as a couple is to take turns planning dates. One of you takes leadership in creating a perfect date night. The other one goes cheerfully along, modelling the kind of enthusiastic following you would like when it is your turn to be the leader.

If you have children or other family members at home, you may wish to also include them in this activity. I still vividly remember expeditions our kids planned, like the evening we went on an alpine slide and to a professional hockey game. That was epic.

Planning dates with other couples is also great. Especially if there is an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation (think walks, dinner, or baseball games). And do also have dates with just the two of you.

This is a chance to expand your horizons and to experience your partner in a new, and possibly enlightening, way. Take a moment and block off your calendar. Ideally one date per week or two per month at a minimum.

To help stimulate your thinking, some useful local Colorado date resources are listed below.

DENVER
 thecrazytourist.com/25-best-things-denver-colorado
 rmpbs.org/calendar
 denver.org/things-to-do
 denver.org/events

BOULDER
 bouldercoloradousa.com/events
 dailycamera.com/events-calendar

LONGMONT
 timescall.com/events-calendar
 downtownlongmont.com/calendar
 visitlongmont.org/events

LOUISVILLE
 downtownlouisvilleco.com/events
 louisvilleco.gov/residents/arts-events/arts-events-calendar

LAFAYETTE
 http://cityoflafayette.com/calendar

LOVELAND
 reporterherald.com/events/things-to-do

FORT COLLINS
 visitftcollins.com/things-to-do/arts-entertainment
 visitftcollins.com/events

CONCERT GUIDE
 marqueemag.com
 marqueemag.com/calendar

RED ROCKS
 redrocksonline.com/concerts-events/calendar

COLORADO
 colorado.com
 wikido.com/us/co

Have fun and let us know if something great happens!