League of Extraordinary Brothers
L.E.B.

It's easy to let life get in the way of love —at least that's what most couples think. Jobs, bills, chores, and even children seemingly conspire to push our relationship needs to the bottom of our lists. Often, private time together comes when we're tired and distracted. That's why fun and focused dating, even when you're married, is essential to Building a Dream Relationship !

For this reason, we have prepared a special gift for you! Following are fun date ideas —one for each month of the year. If you split the fun and take turns planning, each of you will have six opportunities a year to arrange your own hot date!

Remember, dating is more than just fun and games—it heals, sustains, and renews our deepest feelings for each other. Make it a priority— and most of all, have fun! 

A YEAR (OR MORE) OF HOT DATES!

1. Time to Relax— Get a baby-sitter or older child to take the kids away from home, or put them to bed early. Set up a massage table (or create one on the floor, bed, or sofa). Gather candles, essential oils (lavender oil is a great one), and relaxing music. Eat dinner by candle light on the floor with blankets and pillows and then take turns giving each other a massage.
2. Surprise Gratitude Retreat— Pack the bags, make child care arrangements, and surprise your spouse with an overnight stay at your favorite hotel, or cozy bed & breakfast. Focus your thoughts and comments on all that you're grateful for—even write them down together in a journal.
3. Scavenger Hunt— Plant notes around the house (or even around town) that lead your partner on a trail that ends with a wrapped box containing the name of the restaurant where you've made reservations, or end your trail with a surprise candle-light dinner at home. (If you do this with couples, men—plant the clues. You can use riddles and place them around town landmarks with associated clues to lead the girls on their trail to fun.)
4. Power Lunch —Set up a long lunch appointment with your spouse. Use the time to establish and evaluate personal, relationship, and family objectives. Before your lunch, write down in a notebook what you want the most in your life. When you arrive, share your personal desires with your partner. Then work together to help one another establish goals that will help each of you get what you want and need!
5. A Day in the Sun— This time leave the kids at home! And head out to the beach, take a ride on the boat, go sailing, water-skiing, or swimming—just the two of you! Take turns rubbing each other with sun tan oil. Pick your partner's favorite tunes to play on the boat, by the pool, or on the beach. Throw your spouses favorite treat in your beach bag, and surprise him/her when you arrive.
6. Musical Madness— It's time for Karaoke! Invite couples over for a night of singing and dancing. Set up a stage and dance floor in your home, borrow the kid's Karaoke machine, pull out a few fun costumes, and take turns singing away! Invite your guests to bring appetizers of all kinds. If you don't have space for this event at home, find a local piano or karaoke bar and meet your friends for a musical night away from home. Whatever you do ... sing your heart out!
7. Love Notes— A week in advance, make plans for dinner and pick a movie, local show or play to attend that your partner will enjoy. Throughout the week, leave your spouse love notes tucked away in various places. As you get closer to the end of the week, give clues in your notes about your weekend plans. Then, as you begin your evening out, quiz your partner. See if he/she can figure out what you've planned.
8. Surprise Tribute— Invite your closest friends to accompany you on a group date—either to a restaurant or your home—and ask them to keep it a secret! Make this date a surprise for your spouse. After the evening gets going, ask each person to share with the group the attributes they most admire in your spouse (and have them share a favorite, or funny, memory too). While you are eating or visiting, take turns sharing the tributes and stories. Afterward, invite the group to your home to play cards or games. This is great for a birthday surprise!
9. Ready-Set-Go— The race is on! It's time for outdoor activities like running a race together, taking a walk in nature, hiking in the mountains, skiing, or rock climbing. Incorporate a picnic lunch or plan your favorite food for take out (if you snow ski, plan for a cup of hot cocoa and dinner by the fire).
10. Foreign Fun —Pick an evening to enjoy the culture of another country. Select an ethnic restaurant for dinner and following, enjoy a foreign film from that nation—or arrange for a trip to a local exhibit (or museum) about that culture. Or, better yet, follow-up with dancing! For example, enjoy a Mexican dinner and then hit a Latin night club.
11. Dress-Up— Do something out of the ordinary—use your imagination. Put on your fanciest clothes, pull out that Tux in the closet and dust it off, and go out and paint the town in 007 style! Or, put on some black leather and fake tattoos and head to a dumpy diner, or go on a motorcycle ride. If you're daring, get wigs for both of you and go out on a date with your wigs on….no one else will know but you. The key here is to dress-up in some way, do something out of the ordinary, be whoever you want. Let yourself have fun playing Dress-Up!
12. Celebrating the Arts— Search your local events for a concert in the park, a night at the theater, perhaps a stroll through an art gallery or local museum. If that's not your style, then how about a rock concert or a country jamboree. This night is all about enjoying some form of the arts.
13. Snuggle-Up— Tonight is all about comfort. Get out your coziest clothes, blanket, comfort food, favorite music, treats, etc.. and plan to spend the evening at home. You can watch your favorite movie or snuggle up to a warm fire and spend the evening talking. Whatever you do, do it cozy and comfortably.
14. Toys-R-Us— This date is all about having fun…playing like you did when you were little. Remember the excitement of going to the toy store, or candy store when you were under 10? What excites your spouse now, like back then? If your partner likes candy, take him/her to the candy store and pick out a favorite treat. If your spouse likes cars, take him to the local sports car dealership and test drive the latest models. Go to her favorite spot for some window shopping, or take him to race go-carts. Maybe hit the roller rink, miniature golf, ice skating, or a game of laser tag. The point is, you must play! Have fun just like the good ole' days when you were a kid.
15. Drive-In— Tonight you are spending the evening in the car. From food to entertainment…it's all happening on wheels. Remember days gone by at the drive-in? Well tonight you will walk down memory lane as you take your sweetheart to an old style drive-in movie. Don't forget to pick up your food at a drive-in too.