Date Night Rules

How to make date nights actually work:

• Regular rhythm — weekly if possible, protected enough that it does not vanish by default
• No kid talk, no logistics — you get 168 hours a week for those topics; this isn't one of them
• Alternate planning — take turns choosing so neither person carries the burden
• Novelty over comfort — try something new at least twice a month: new restaurant, cooking class, live show
• Phones away — physically in another room or bag, not face-down on the table

The goal isn't a perfect evening. It's a protected space where you remember who you are together beyond the roles you play.