The Date Your Mate Challenge is a very exciting four week Facebook event to help strengthen your marriage and have fun in the process!
- Improving your communication?
- Deepening your intimacy?
- Strengthening your commitment?
- Lessening your stress?
Let me tell you about Lionel and Ellen Buxton who were recently recognized as one of England's oldest couples.
When Lionel celebrated his 100th birthday Ellen was also 100 years old. Having met 82 years earlier they had now been married for over 75 years and were still head over heels in love with each other.
When asked what the key to their happy marriage was Lionel had a very instructive answer.
Lionel shared, "We have been married happily because we have been good friends as well as husband and wife. We have always made sure we have had nice evenings out together whether it is going for a romantic meal or out to play bingo.”
The key really is no secret.
They kept their friendship strong and kept dating each other!
Social scientists, W. Bradford Wilcox and Jeffrey Dew, found strong evidence that it does. They conducted an extensive review of social science literature in order to assess how date nights influence the quality of couple’s relationships. They shared their findings in a report written for the National Marriage Project called The Date Night Opportunity.
What they found is that regular dating provides five specific benefits to married couples.{ Benefit # 1 }
Better Communication
Dating is a way to prevent the “two ships passing in the night” syndrome. It can give you opportunities to talk without distraction. Conversations can happen when you are on a date that would not happen otherwise.
{ Benefit # 2 }
More Fun
Dating is an opportunity to do new things together. In marriage there is the danger of becoming too familiar with each other. Dating is a way to break out of the familiar and do the unusual. Step out of your routines and enjoy each other’s company doing something you have never done before.
{ Benefit # 3 }
Less Stress
Dating your spouse does not mean you have less stress in your life. Making dates happen can actually be stressful. But on the flip side, regularly going out on dates together helps to reduce stress. It gives couples the chance to extend emotional support to each other, especially during times of trial. Dating can become a buffer and provide an escape from the pressing concerns of regular life.
{ Benefit # 4 }
Greater Commitment
Commitment is like a muscle that gets stronger with use. Dating takes commitment. It means that you have overcome obstacles, such as setting up child care, or making the time, or spending the money. When you make dates happen you are showing your spouse and others that you are committed to him or her, and to your relationship.
{ Benefit # 5 }
More Romance
Feelings of romance are fleeting. A fire that is not fed or tended will soon die. So it is with the sense of passion between two people. Dating keeps the fires of desire alive and growing. It is a way to both feed the fire and fan the flame of romance.
Here is what they had to say:
Perhaps one of the most important things a married couple can do to ensure that their relationship thrives is to date. Continued dating, even if it’s economical, still helps the couple feel like they matter to each other.
Author, Psychologist
Marriage Coaches,
#1 Marriage podcast
Every marriage needs quality time and communication, the best connecting can be done while having fun together! Your kids are watching!
Marriage Minister,
Lifegiving Marriage
Successful marriages require constant and continuous effort and care. Dating helps make working on your marriage a little bit more fun!
Marriage and Family Therapist
Dating keeps married couples engaged with the narrative that brought them together & upholds that being a couple is a priority. Also, it's fun!
Marriage and Family Therapist
In nature and in life, when something stops growing, it begins to die. Same with marriage. Dating helps keep things fresh and alive.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage Consultant, Coach and Author
Blogger at Calm.Healthy.Sexy
Life Coach, Counselor
Dating in marriage is one of many ways that we tell our spouse "I choose you, today and every day."
Marriage Ministers, One Flesh Marriage
Marriage Blogger, Engaged Marriage
Marriage Coach, Counselor, Author
It's important for married couples to continue dating because it builds anticipation of together time and boosts excitement for the pleasure they will share.
Author, Radio Host, Relationship Therapist
When the fireworks fizzle, couples must make time to enjoy the afterglow even if for a few stolen minutes of together time.
Marriage Author, Counselor
It fosters more unity and togetherness and this brings longevity into the union. It helps them focus on each other more.
Author, Marriage Counselor
"So, what is the Date Your Mate Challenge?"
It is the gamification of dating your spouse, like a virtual Tough Mudder for your marriage. Including all the fun, challenge and camaraderie. But minus the mud, sweat and pain.
- Four Dates
- Four Weeks
- Lots of Fun
- Weekly Challenges
- Prize Giveaways
- Accountability
- Date Ideas
- Encouragement
- New Connects with Couples
- And much ,more...
It is for couples who believe dating is important but have a hard time actually making it happen.
It is for newlyweds who want to solidify the practice of dating as a married couple.
It is for couples who excel in the practice of dating and want to share their experiences to encourage other couples.
It is for empty nesters who want to reconnect with each other through the practice of dating.
It is for couples who want to connect with other married couples who also practice dating.It is for parents of young children who struggle finding time and resources to date.
It is for couples who want to cut through the busyness of life and have fun dating each other.
It is for couples who just want to have fun!During the four weeks couples go on one date per week.
After each date they post a “check-in” to the private, members only Facebook Group.
This “check-in” makes them eligible for the weekly prizes.
Three prizes are awarded each week and will include:
A gift certificate for date activity near where the couple lives via Groupon
A gift certificate for a restaurant near where the couple lives via Groupon
A marriage building book
Additional bonus points toward prize eligibility can be earned each week by completing various challenges and activities.
Couples who post “check-ins” for all four weeks become eligible for the grand prize Jackpot at the end of event.
You get points for your date "check-in" each week. Only couples who "check-in" for their date that week are eligible for that week's prize.
You get bonus points by completing various challenges during the week.
Points accumulate through the four weeks toward the Grand Prize Jackpot.
Only couples who "check-in" for all four dates are eligible for the Grand Prize Jackpot.
However, it will be a prize valued at $250.
Couples can participate from anywhere in the world. (Digital substitutions will be made for prize winners who live outside the US Groupon service area.)
Where each couple goes on their dates is up to them.
All group interaction occurs in a private, members only Facebook Group created specifically for this event.
It begins in:
Join us for the Date Your Mate Challenge!
- It is a fun way to breathe life into your relationship!
- It is a place to get ideas and be held accountable for embracing and pursuing your marriage while having a blast!
It's a good way to focus on your marriage.
Have fun dating your spouse and be inspired by other couples' ideas.
It is a great way to get back in the groove of dating.
It's a fun way to get reconnected and out of a rut with your spouse.
It is a creative and fun way to connect with your mate and focus on each other to keep your marriage relationship fresh and alive.
Exciting event to keep the sparks going.
A great way to be intentional about strengthening your marriage.
It's a fantastic way to spend more time with your spouse, invest in your marriage, and deepen intimacy.
It's so fun to "have to" go on dates every week. And doing it alongside a group of people who are doing the same makes it even better.
It helped us become closer together in our marriage and more intentional about spending time together.
- Challenging way to have fun with your spouse and maybe win a prize!
Great question!
In terms of money, due to other's generosity, there is no upfront cost to you. However, you will have the opportunity to "pay it forward" at the completion of the challenge. When that time comes, you can pay as much or as little as you want!
Join the Date Your Mate Challenge today!
- ENTER EMAIL** - Provide your email below for us to send you the application. Look for an email titled "Date Your Mate Challenge Application" from steve@spousedates.com.
- COMPLETE APPLICATION - Click the application link in the email we send you. Fill out the application completely then submit it.
- ACCEPT INVITATION - Once you submit your application you will get a link request to join the Private Members Only Facebook Group. Click the link and request to join. We will approve your membership within 24 hours.
Please feel free to contact me with any further questions you may have about the Date Your Mate Challenge.
- email: spousedates@gmail.com
- phone: (810) DATEFUN (328-3386)
