Balentime's Day!

As some of you may know, - as if America would let you forget - this past Friday was Valentine's Day. Though James and I were aware of the fact, we hadn't really planned anything special (apart from a greeting card which I had smuggled from the States). Apparently, this was a big faux pas - it being our first V-day being married and all - so we were forced to plan a date for ourselves. Ryan and Cameron, our flatmates, made it abundantly clear that they wouldn't be available to hang out with us (they were going to see a movie without us... rude), so we made our way to a nice restaurant in a busy part of the city. James led me to a table situated right next to a floor-to-ceiling glass window which overlooked the busy, brightly-lit traffic circle. It was absolutely lovely.
We had almost the whole restaurant to ourselves (a part from the one other couple who I caught snapping a few photos of us on their phones...the price we pay for being white), and we sat and talked for at least 2 hours enjoying our Valentine's meal. 

Being a bit of a plan-maker, I did some research before our date of some good, intentional conversation starters for married couples. There's something tricky about spending every hour of everyday with someone and still having to come up with new information to talk about over dinner. I had a sneaking suspicion that "look at that person down there" and "this food is delicious" wasn't exactly going to carry us through our entire date. The list consisted of some fun questions, some "I feel *this* when I..." statements, and even some activities for us to do together. Out of this list, we invented a game that any married couple (or any couple for that matter) could use on a dinner date.

I may have started his eyes a little too small..

We had a lot of fun with our list, as well as some really intentional conversations. I even learned things about James that I probably never would've even thought to ask without that beautiful list! Our all-time favorite number from the list was #16, which read, "Draw your spouse to the best of your ability". It probably took a good 15-30 minutes for each of us, and we laughed and laughed as we watched ourselves come to life with one stroke, and then become hideous with 

me...

another. In the end, our waiter deemed James' drawing the better of the two, then we paid our bill and made our way home. We picked up some ice cream from the grocery store where I was given a flower from the door man.There's nothing better than receiving a flower on V-day. Especially from a stranger...

Once home, we found a heart-shaped container filled with candy, two Kit-Kats, and Crunchie candy bar waiting for us on the table with a note from Ryan and Cameron wishing us a happy Valentine's Day. It was beautiful. 

Thanks, guys.

So, that was our Valentine's Day. It was wonderful and beautiful and it left us wanting more. G0d has been gracious in giving us to each other and teaching us to love like He does. At our wedding, there was a board that said, "I have found the one my soul loves" from the verse in Song of Solomon. I'm here to tell you that I have not only found him, but I get to spend every day with him. Thank you, Jesµs.

.............................................................................................

the game

 ~Start with a list of questions, statements and activities.

 (feel free to use ours, or make up your own!)

 ~The game starts when your spouse holds the list, and you pick a number on that list (in our case, the numbers were 1-16, since we only had 16 questions on our list). 

 ~They will read it aloud, and act accordingly. For instance, if the number they read is a question, you will be the one to answer it. If the number is an "I" statement, they will just finish the statement themselves. The activities are for you to do together. 

~Switch off every time so you both have opportunities to talk and as questions.

Enjoy!

the list

1. My funniest memory of our dating days is when...

2. What's the best vacation you had as a kid?

3. What was your favorite childhood cartoon?

4. When we fell in love, my favorite thing about you was...

5. What was the most scared you've ever been?

6. Do your best imitation of your spouse dancing.

7. My favorite memory from our wedding day is...

8. What one thing do you miss for our dating years? 

(the conversation that follows should be what you can do to bring that back into your relationship since, obviously, marriage should be and is better than dating.) 

9. I used to always wish I could...

10. What was the best halloween costume you've ever had?

11. Guess each other's favorite movie.

12. Where do you think our most romantic kiss was?

13. I like it best when you refer to me as...

14. What is one toy you wanted as a kid but never got?

15. I feel most loved by you when you...

16. Draw your spouse to the best of your ability.