Date Night

ARTICLE & PHOTOS JESSICA CARTWRIGHT

Fall is my favorite time of year to travel. In my opinion, it looks beautiful everywhere, and Montana is no exception.

It’s a time to get cozy, throw on a sweater and snuggle up with your honey. Why not take it a step further and book a romantic getaway or staycation? Since we’re parents and this is a magazine about Montana, I’m going to share short and sweet nearby getaways you can enjoy during any stage of parenting.

Hot springs:

Fun for the family, but have you tried the hot springs for date night? They’re a fabulous way to relax and unwind while enjoying time with your sweetie. And we have so many to choose from: Bozeman Hot Springs, Norris, Yellowstone Hot Springs, Chico (you could stay for a night here, too). Hot springs make us put away our phones and relax in nature for a bit. It’s like a mini retreat without having to go very far. Plus, when we’re more relaxed in our bodies, studies have shown we like our partners more...

For a drink or meal out:

Sky Shed at the Armory or Devil’s Toboggan (speakeasy). When you have kids, you tend to go to family-friendly restaurants. It’s nice to go somewhere that feels different for a date night out – a place that allows the focus to be more on you and your partner, and some new scenery. I’ve been on dates with my husband to both of these places and they created an intimate environment that felt fun and different from our norm, and an opportunity to feel fancy and kid free!

For a night away that is still close by:

Sacajawea Hotel. A Montana classic. Make a reservation at their excellent steakhouse and enjoy a scenic drive while getting there. It’s fun seeing some Montana history and getting just far enough out of town to make it feel like you got away. Book an overnight at the hotel, or simply go for the meal.

For a night farther away:

Phillipsburg, Montana. My husband and I love going to Phillipsburg. They have great Airbnbs at affordable rates right off Main Street, an iconic candy store (so you can pick up some goodies for the kiddos… or yourself), a great brewery and it’s a hop skip away from Georgetown Lake for a romantic canoe trip or hike. And our favorite part? Sapphire mining. There is a location on Main Street where you sift through buckets, as well as an actual mine about half an hour away. My husband and I found our sapphires for my wedding rings here, and we are going back to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary this month. It’s a great, easy getaway that feels intimate and fun.

Everyone knows date nights are important, but they can be so hard to prioritize that you may not remember the last time you had one! So let this be your prompt to put it on the calendar and make it happen. You and your partner are worth it.

As a last note, if it proves impossible to get away, you can still have a romantic date night-in together. Dress up, put on some music, light a candle, make a meal together. Over COVID I surprised my husband with some paint-andsip nights that broke the monotony and ended up being a blast. You can buy some online that provide all the materials, or simply YouTube one and get the materials yourself.

The goal is simply to take a step away from the norm, and toward each other. No matter how you’re feeling that day, simply showing up for each other can make a world of difference.

So, find what works for you, and enjoy some fall romance!

Jessica Cartwright is a mama, birth doula and co-founder of Our Yoga, Yoga for the Whole Family. She is a certified yoga instructor who specializes in prenatal, postpartum and baby yoga. She is also a featured writer for Elephant Journal, So Much Yoga, & BOHO Daily.