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How to Have a Happy Marriage: 10 Timeless Tips That Still Work

How 3 Couples Make Time to Date (#94)

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Today, we’re diving into the magical world of marriage and focusing on how 3 couples make time to date and keep that spark alive. You know, the kind of spark that makes you feel like you’re still the luckiest, even after 23 years of marriage? Yes, that’s the one.

In this episode, we’re going to hear from three incredible couples who have mastered the art of balancing busy while keeping their marriages blissful. So, let’s jump right in and learn from their experiences.

Kelli France: Kelli is a serial entrepreneur and a mom to four kids with personalities as diverse as different salsa flavors. From photography to direct sales, hosting a top 1% podcast: Finally Fearless, to now writing a book, she’s journeyed through various business ventures. In our original episode (Episode 13)we talked all about the behind the scenes of running a business and how to make marriage and date night a priority when you’re a busy mom and entrepreneur juggling so many balls!

Prioritizing Weekly Date Nights

First up, we have Kelli France, a dear friend and coaching client who has been married for over 16 years. Kelli and her husband, Matt, have been prioritizing weekly date nights since their oldest son was two years old. That’s dedication!

Kelli emphasizes the importance of making your spouse a priority, just like you did when you were dating. For her and Matt, Saturday nights are sacred. No matter how hectic the week gets, they always have their date night to look forward to. And here’s the kicker—they don’t plan their date nights in advance. Instead, they embrace spontaneity, which keeps things exciting and fresh.

Another fantastic tip for keeping date nights interesting, is buying Groupon deals for new experiences or creating a jar filled with date ideas to choose from. Or checking out the experiences section on AirBNB for your area. And let’s not forget about the power of double dates and group outings, which add variety and fun to their relationship.


Taylor Stimmel: My Own Husband of 23 years (now). If you want the full conversation, you can listen to our episode here…..Episode 16. Tay is the fun, and I’m the responsible. He’s always trying to plan some get away for us, convincing me that we probably won’t be able to make it happen later because of this or that. And yet, someone, we make those happen too.

I am deeply aware of how lucky I am to have married a man who even after more than two decades, thinks it sounds more fun to drag me with him on the errand (“so we can hold hands”) than to go alone. I on the other hand – if we’re going full confession – love to be alone!

Making Time for Adventure

Next, we hear from my own husband, Taylor. He stresses the importance of finding balance between work and play. Taylor and I have always made it a priority to take regular getaways, whether it’s a quick overnight stay at a local hotel or an adventurous trip abroad.

Taylor encourages couples to break away from the daily grind and explore new experiences together. From impromptu vacations to spontaneous day trips, he believes that making time for fun and adventure strengthens the bond between partners.


Camille Whiting: Camille Whiting’s story is a tale of a marriage-phobic MBA grad meets rocket scientist, who convinces her to believe in love again. A pact was made — one date a week, no matter what to keep love alive. This spawned Friday We’re in Love, a lifestyle blog with an emphasis on dating, marriage, and family, with a fun date night every Friday. 
Camille is an infertility miracle mom, and always finding the next fun experience to inspire others to get out and date more! 
Featured In: Woman’s Day, Southern Living, The Pioneer Woman, the Huffington Post, The Arizona Republic, and Brit+Co

You can hear our full episode on all things marriage and dating in Episode 48

Reviving Stale Date Nights

Last but not least, we have Camille Whiting, the mastermind behind Fridays We’re In Love. Camille shares her personal journey of prioritizing date nights with her husband, even during the busiest of times. She believes that dating your spouse is essential for maintaining a strong and fulfilling relationship.

Camille offers practical advice for couples struggling with stale date nights. You can follow her social media accounts for fresh date ideas or try her recommendation of attending a comedy show or trying new activities to inject some excitement into your relationship.


Marriage Books I Love:

Let’s talk about three amazing books I shared that have truly impacted my marriage journey. I know that not all marriage books are created equal; some can leave you feeling frustrated or misunderstood. But these three have been game-changers for me and my relationship:

  1. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray: This book offers profound insights into understanding the differences between men and women, emphasizing how these differences can affect communication and relationships. In a concise and accessible manner, Gray provides practical advice on how to navigate these differences and foster greater understanding and harmony in your marriage. What makes this book even more appealing is its brevity; it’s a quick read packed with valuable insights.
  2. The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: While not specifically a marriage book, I believe this book should be essential reading for couples. The Big Leap delves into the concept of the “upper limit problem,” which explores why we often sabotage ourselves when we’re on the verge of experiencing greater success, happiness, or love. Hendricks offers strategies for overcoming these self-imposed limitations, helping couples unlock their full potential and deepen their connection.
  3. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman: Dr. John Gottman is renowned for his research on relationships, and this book is a culmination of his findings. Using scientific insights, Gottman outlines seven principles that are essential for building and maintaining a healthy marriage. From fostering communication and understanding to managing conflict constructively, this book provides practical strategies backed by research to help couples strengthen their bond and create lasting love.

These books offer valuable guidance and insights for couples at any stage of their relationship journey. Whether you’re seeking to deepen your connection, navigate challenges, or simply enrich your marriage, these resources provide invaluable tools to support your journey toward a fulfilling and enduring partnership.

So, what’s the key takeaway from these three amazing couples? It’s simple—prioritize your spouse, schedule regular date nights, and embrace spontaneity and adventure. By investing time and effort into your relationship, you can keep the spark alive and continue falling in love with your partner over and over again.

Links You Need:

Fun date nights in your inbox weekly: https://fridaywereinlove.com/beyond-dinner-and-a-movie/

Free: A year of Dates (https://fridaywereinlove.com/date-night-gift/)

fridaywereinlove.com (https://fridaywereinlove.com/)

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray:

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks:

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman:

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

Episode 13: BTS: Outsourcing, Systems, and Keeping Our Spouses Feeling Like a Priority with Kelli France

Episode 16: Courage to Try with Taylor Stimmel

Episode 48: The Secret To Married Dating: How to Date Your Spouse with Camille Whiting

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