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Before we had kids, date night wasn’t a big deal. Every night was date night because we could come and go as we pleased. We used to run to the mall and hang out, walk around Walmart, and grab dinner whenever it pleased us. Those were the days of complete freedom! Fast forward six years, and that all has changed. We have two busy boys who keep us on our toes. I appreciate every day but I definitely look forward to our nights out. In fact, after the birth of our second son, my husband began to see just how important date night was to me. Just knowing that I had something fun to look forward to every Friday night gave me an extra boost of energy and happiness! Plus, I looked forward to the time I got to spend with just my husband. Imagine-having a conversation without being interrupted every 20 seconds!
These past few months have been especially crazy for us and date nights have become a sacred time for me. When we plan a date, there is nothing that will stand in the way! That includes finding a sitter, being sick, or having heartburn. Thankfully, I’ve found some things that help us get out the door and enjoy our evenings together. My purse has always been large because I keep all of the essentials for my kids and myself at all times. Recently, it dawned on me that I needed to have some essentials for my husband too!
So what date night essentials does one keep on hand for a husband? Here are my tried and true date night buddies, including why I realized they were absolutely essential to have on hand. And all of them can be found on a quick trip through the aisles of Walmart.
First up, a plan. As they say, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. My hubby is really laid back and not much of a planner. He also doesn’t generally have an opinion when it comes to date nights because he knows how much they mean to me. He would rather see me doing what makes me happy. It’s sweet but sometimes a problem because I’m not the best at making decisions. So I have found that if I have an exact plan mapped out, letting him know exactly when we are dropping the kids off to the sitter, when we are leaving for the date, what we are doing, and about when we will be home, he is good to go. If I give him too much leeway, we end up late, he ends up confused, and I end up annoyed. So, whoever the planner is in your relationship, get your night mapped out. Because we have a babysitter, we generally need to know about when we will be home anyway and a plan really helps keep things smooth.
Our date nights typically start with both of us needing a moment to catch our breath and something to fix our headache. Whether we have been working (I work from home), shuttling kids back and forth, or doing housework, we both inevitably have a headache. Of course, we don’t realize it until after we’ve dropped the kids off and are on the way to the restaurant. And there is no way we are turning back to home to grab something! The solution? I always have Advil Tablet Vials on hand. They are the perfect size for my purse. The original round tablets providing safe, effective pain relief for over 25 years. Nothing’s stronger, longer lasting or better on your tough aches and pains than Advil, and nothing works on more pains than Advil (among OTC pain relievers). Use only as directed. I am always so grateful to have this on hand!
Since we often leave in a rush, and are both generally starving, I decided to do the same thing for us that I do for my kids-pack a snack. We don’t always know how long the wait will be if we’re eating a restaurant or how long the drive may take. I’m always grateful to have my bag of crackers or chocolates to hold me over. The snacks vary depending on what we have on hand, but I learned it’s always good to grab something on the way out. Plus, it’s kind of funny to be sitting at a restaurant eating your children’s crackers from a snack bag. It always makes for good memories and laughs!
Now that we are both in our 30’s, our bodies have been changing and the things we used to do affect us in new ways. For example, my husband used to be able to eat and eat and eat without any repercussions. But not anymore! Generally speaking, when we go out to eat, he always ends up with heartburn. It becomes really uncomfortable for him, especially if we end up seeing a movie. Whenever he feels the need, we have a superhero to save our date! I learned a few months ago to always pack a bottle of Nexium 24 HR (because he often forgets to take it before we leave). It’s #1 prescribed acid blocker brand (Based on IMS health data: total Nexium® prescriptions 2006 – 2014). Just one day. All-day, all night frequent heartburn protection. May take 1 to 4 days for full effect. Use as directed.
If you’re like us and generally find yourself eating out, be sure to have a package of mints or gum on hand. I can’t tell you how many times we have both needed it but didn’t have it. And nothing can kill the romance like the car and us smelling like garlic! And the entire point of being out on the date is to be close and keep the spark alive so why kill the vibe with bad breath? Find out your hubby’s favorite flavor and keep it on hand, just in case.
On every date, my husband is always good about putting on his gentleman cap. He holds the doors open for me, drops me off at the door, and pulls out my chair. It’s enough to make me feel special and loved, which is always the best part of our dates. He also has a habit that started back when we are dating, one that I will never change. He likes to kiss me at the door. We usually don’t have much time because we have already picked up the kids and they are either fighting, destroying, or whining for one of us to come help them, but we still take that quick moment to remember how it all started. I never go anywhere without my chapstick but I sometimes forget to make sure and have something not tinted for him to use too. I found the perfect solution in Chapstick Total Hydration. They have a great selection of flavors and some without tinting, perfect for a dashing husband. It’s 100% natural, age defying, and has an advanced nourishing formula with argan oil and avocado butter and rosehip oils. It definitely gets those lips kissable to top off some much needed time with the love of my life!
So to recap my list of Date Night Essentials for Husbands, here’s what I have:
- A Plan
- Advil Tablet Vials
- A Snack
- Nexium 24 HR
- Mints or Gum
- Chapstick Total Hydration
Again, all of these products can be found at Walmart.
Date night is absolutely an essential thing for us. It can be so hard during the week to find that time to connect, talk, and just be ourselves with the day to day responsibilities that we both have. While we don’t always make it out each week, it’s become a special event that I look forward to enjoying. What date night essentials do you keep on hand for your husband or yourself?
