DATE YOUR MATE

Keeping your love growing takes time. Most experts say the best way to keep your relationship fresh is by going on regular date nights with your spouse—whether you’ve been together one year or 50!

According to research, couples who have a monthly date night, foster stronger relationships and are 14% less likely to break up. Other findings from the research show couples who participate in date nights experience the following benefits:

Improved Communication

Couples are less distracted by other responsibilities, giving them the chance to talk about important topics and mutual pursuits and goals.

More Novelty

Couples in long-term relationships become used to each other and can grow bored in the relationship, taking one another for granted. Date night adds excitement and novelty to the connection which leads to more satisfaction in the relationship.

Heightened Romance

Date nights can help rekindle the romantic and sexual spark in the relationship when couples engage in intimate and romantic outings together.

Stronger Commitment

Date nights solidify your coupleness and the connection just the two of you share. It makes you feel more committed as you strengthen communication and romance. Going out together signifies to other people as well, that the two of you are a committed couple.

Stress Relief

Stress is one of the main culprits of relationship conflict that can threaten your closeness. Going on date nights gives you an outlet for relieving stress, as it allows couples to step away from the challenges of daily life. During date nights, couples can provide love and support to one another that is also stressrelieving.

Here are some ideas to start up your date night routine:

1. Put your singing skills on display and share your favorite songs with your partner at a karaoke bar.

2. Go to a comedy night or an improv show.

3. Go to a bookstore and browse the travel section. Plan your dream vacation together.

4. Make a bonfire outside (with or without friends) and drink hot cocoa.

5. Pick a room in your house to repaint. Get creative with a color that you wouldn’t normally choose.

411 HERE’S A TIP

Bring egg whites to room temperature before whipping. You will get better volume, and they will be more stable.

Store extra plastic grocery bags in empty tissue boxes. They are easy to store this way, and you can keep them under the sink or in the car for easy access.

Toothpaste works well as a silver polish. Wet your silver, plop a little nongel toothpaste on it and rub gently to clean. Rinse well and let it shine.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (R)

Evelyn Quan (Michelle Yeah) meets a version of her husband from an alternate universe who needs her help. As the evil Jobu Tupaki plans to destroy each existing universe one by one, Evelyn learns she has a much bigger purpose than she ever imagined in the fight against Jobu. This visually stunning Golden Globe winner is very worth seeing.

You People (R)

Ezra Cohen (Jonah Hill) accidentally wanders into Amira’s (Lauren London) car, thinking that she’s his Uber driver. The couple hits it off and when Ezra eventually considers proposing to Amira, he meets her parents and discovers that integrating a Jewish and black family won’t be as easy as he thought. This relatable comedy was co-written by Hill and director Kenya Barris. Also stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Mike Epps.

Flashback Answers

From

17

1. Terry Jacks. The singer is dying and is saying goodbye to family and friends.

2. The Jackson 5, in 1970. It stayed at the top of the soul charts for six weeks. Michael Jackson was 12 years old at the time.

3. The Troggs, in 1966. Their name came from Troglodytes, who were cave dwellers. The Wild Ones version of the song in 1965 didn’t chart.

4. ”Celebration,” in 1980. It was their only song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

5. ”Any Which Way You Can,” by Glen Campbell, in 1980. The song was the title track in the film by the same name.