Four Dates to Go On Before Summer Ends
Hello everyone! If you’re anything like me, you want autumn to just get here already! It’s my favorite season, but I do find myself feeling a little bittersweet about the eventual change in weather. There’s been so much going on in our personal lives that I kind of forgot about going on dates with my husband, Matt! He and I realized this a few days ago.
Instead of being bent out of shape about it, I came up with a few ideas to get ourselves out and about before the weather truly turns. I thought I’d share those ideas with the masses, just in case you and your partner are stuck in the same ol’ date night routine.
Go On A Walk
Going on a walk is a simple thing to do with your partner. Whether it’s a full-on hike, a forest walk, or simply walking around the neighborhood, walking with my husband has always been one of my favorite ways to spend time with him. There’s so many pros to going on a walk that you can probably figure out on your own (walking=healthy), but one thing that I really love about our walks is that I get Matt’s complete attention, and he gets mine. We talk about everything on our walks. Whether it’s about our days, what we see outside, what’s been going on in our own lives…any topic you can think of, we cover it.
Going on a walk together is pretty straightforward, very cost effective, and you can’t really go wrong with it. If it’s raining a little bit, bring an umbrella! If it’s really hot, bring some water bottles! Getting outside is important, especially as we enter the cooler, darker months. Vitamin D is essential to us with seasonal depression! As that time comes, it’s more important than ever to stay active and get some fresh air before snow blankets the world. I don’t like walking in snow, so I take advantage of these last few months before it comes. You should too!
The Classic
Let’s be real. You cannot go wrong with dinner and a movie. You can do it year-round, of course, but I really like going out for dinner and a movie around this time of year because the patios are still open at restaurants, but it’s not NEARLY as hot and awful as it is earlier in the summer. I know that there are some drive-in movie theaters around, and those are really nice this time of year! I haven’t been to a drive-in in so long, but I know there is one on the South Side of Columbus that Matt has been begging me to go with him to for a few years now. This may be the time!
One thing that I’ve noticed now that theaters are opening back up is that it’s much less crowded on the weekdays, even more so than before. If you’re worried about social distancing, try to go early on a weeknight! Most theaters now have assigned seating, so you can choose seats that won’t have you too close to everyone if you’re worried about that.
In Columbus, there’s a mask mandate for any inside business, so you’ll have to wear your mask when you’re not snacking on movie snacks. That’s honestly not that big of deal if you’ve been following the pandemic rules this entire time. Seeing a movie in theaters again has been worth the strategic sitting and the mask wearing for me, so I suggest going to see a movie soon! Get some delicious dinner while you’re at it too, and make it a date!
Take Advantage of Amusement Parks While You Still Can!
I love the zoo, I love water parks, and I love amusement parks. Usually I go during the height of summer, when it’s hot and miserable outside. If you’ve got the money and the time to go before parks close for the season, now is a great time to go! Lots of fall-related activities are beginning to be popular at places like King’s Island and Cedar Point, and the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay are still open for business. Going to amusement parks this time of year has always been fun in the past, and now that I’m not a kid I’d rather go when it begins to cool off for the season.
Just like the movie theater, I like to go to the amusement park during the week. Wait times for rides are practically nonexistent, and there’s not too many people to worry about maintaining distance from. Add that to the not-as-molten-lava shift in weather, and you’ve got a pleasant day of activities.
If you can’t go during the week, no worries! Obviously weekends are busier, but with the cooler weather comes Spooky Season! Every place I mentioned in the above paragraph has their own Halloween-themed activities. If you love Halloween, these events are a must for you and your partner! To me, it’s 100% worth the crowds. Explore their sites above and see if any of them call out to you and your partner. I’m sure there’s something for everyone!
Shop Local, Y’all
We all know I love shopping. During the warmer months, I especially love going to local flea/farmer’s/maker’s markets and perusing the local talent. Since a lot happened this summer, I haven’t been able to get out to these events as much. Luckily, just because the summer is coming to a close doesn’t mean that these events are ending! Lots of markets are year round and lots of vendors are hoping that shoppers like you will go out and see what they have in stock.
A quick Google search will unveil a world of markets. I looked up “farmer’s market near me” and was met with plenty of different options around my town. You can adjust your search if you’re looking for different artisans, or specific food, or maybe you want some vintage items…
Google is King of Finding Anything, so you will be sure to find a nice local market to go to with your partner and explore! For example, a craving for local ice cream led us to the German Village Maker’s Market this past weekend. Not only did I get my ice cream (Thanks, Little Ladies Soft Serve!), but I got to look at local artists of all sorts. We saw pottery, woodwork, jams and spices, jewelry, candles and soaps…you name it, we saw it. In one parking lot, we saw everything these local artists had to offer. It was so much fun! I highly suggest going out and supporting local artists, farmers, and vintage collectors. Local markets are a great place to start finding your new favorite things!
If you or your partner don’t like shopping, like, at ALL, treat it as if you’re going on a scavenger hunt, or people watching. I love shopping, but I also get a kick out of seeing just how many people are selling the same soaps and candle scents. Counting all the dogs you see, figuring out if people are siblings, friends, or dating…you can do this anywhere, but it’s extra fun at local events like these. It adds a new layer of fun to the shopping experience!
Can’t Go Wrong With A Picnic
I fully believe that spring and fall are top tier picnic weather seasons. Winter is snowy, icy, and miserable, while summer is blistering hot, sweaty, and miserable. Spring and fall are the two seasons where the weather is Just Right; not too cold, not too hot, the ground isn’t muddy all the time, and frankly, it’s way more pleasant to sit outside when you’re not frozen or melting.
My mom, sister, and I used to go to the park and picnic a lot when we were younger. Now that I’m an adult, I don’t do picnics as much as I’d like to. Matt is perfectly fine with that, seeing as he’s an Indoor Person! However, to switch things up for Date Night, picnics are the way to go (especially before the weather gets too cold). Bringing a blanket, some sitting pillows, and your favorite meal to the park is one of life’s simple pleasures. My favorite picnic meal is wine and sushi, but of course, you can have anything you’d like on the menu! It doesn’t have to be fancy. Want some homemade sandwiches and Pepsi? Do that!
One thing that I’d like to do with Matt is a picnic and art date. I’ve had this idea for a while, but I’m sharing it aloud for the first time in hopes that people will think it’s a fun thing to do. Bring your usual picnic stuff (food, blankets, pillows) as well as some art supplies (like pencils, sketchbooks, even some paint if you’re feeling super arty). While you eat, look for something to draw in the surrounding area. This can be a tree, your person, even just a little rock on the ground. Then, start drawing it!
If you’re not great at making art, that’s okay. I’m not that great either. Just draw or paint to the best of your ability, then hand off your picture to your person. They’ll hand you their drawing, and then the two of you add to each other’s art! This can result in some funny pictures, or something unexpectedly great. Either way, you’ll be having fun and doing something together!
Picnics are, to me, always a good time. Sitting in the park with my husband is something that recharges me and calms me down. Adding food to the mix is never a bad thing! Getting creative with your time spent together is also always good. Try it sometime!
I believe that this time of year is the perfect time to go out and soak in the last of the summer and the beginning of autumn. Creating dates around the changing weather is sometimes difficult, but well worth the payoff. If you’re stuck in the same ol’ routine, I hope that one of these ideas will stick out to you!
Thanks for reading, as always! If you enjoyed what I had to say, consider donating to my “Mary Writes a Book Fund” on ko-fi! I’ve had a few donations recently, and I want to say thank you to everyone who even thinks about donating, let alone doing it! Y’all know who you are, and I am grateful for every cent.
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