(This post was originally published on the Baptist Churches of New England’s blog on October 18, 2022. You can find it here.)
If it’s been a while since you perused Deuteronomy, I highly recommend a refresher. There are several surprises scattered like Easter eggs throughout. One of the most stunning expectations is this:
“When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken.” (Deuteronomy 24:5)
Can we just pause for a moment to appreciate this command? Imagine if our productivity-obsessed culture followed such a pattern, enabling newlyweds to simply enjoy one another without the stress of external obligations for a year. Considering the weight of context here—God’s holy standards for His people—this rule carries a fair amount of shock value to a society driven by endless output. My basic point? The Lord prizes great marriages far more than we do.
In the spirit of Deuteronomy 24:5, I’d like to offer some date night ideas. 52, to be exact. Planning for fresh joy is holy work, even if it feels like you’ve been married since Deuteronomy was first written. It’s time to step up our dating game for the glory of God. So without further ado, here’s a year’s worth of romance:
- Splurge on a dressy date night out, asking personal questions over dinner
- Cozy up by the fire and decorate mugs to drink cocoa from
- Focus on winter wellness with a sauna visit, hot tub soak, or greenhouse stroll
- Put on some music and work a puzzle
- Try your hand at pottery
- Enjoy a Valentine’s Day chocolate tasting
- Lace up those ice skates and perfect your glide
- Engage in a random acts of kindness spree together
- Connect over a stack of board games
- Stroll through the mall and window shop for one another
- Date like lumberjacks with axe throwing, pancakes, and lots of flannel
- Create a scavenger hunt around your town
- Have a DIY paint night
- Find a new spring recipe and make it together
- Chat while you lie on a blanket looking at the stars
- Fix a gourmet breakfast for dinner, then eat it in bed
- Choose an odd holiday to celebrate
- Perform an epic duet at a karaoke spot
- “Kidnap” your spouse and go somewhere special
- Challenge one another to a nature walk photo shoot
- Watch fireworks and share a banana split
- Join in on a few rounds of trivia at a local dive
- Go crazy with a spa night in
- Throw a fiesta with mariachi music and Mexican food
- Hit the road for a scenic drive and eat wherever you wind up
- Start a new book together
- Have dinner on the beach
- Play the newlywed game to see how well you really know one another
- Try a dessert tour around town
- Visit an orchard and pick your own berries
- Face off in a game of laser tag
- Serve together at a soup kitchen—then go out for coffee afterwards
- Find the most romantic local event you can and attend it
- Theme the night’s menu on a favorite movie, then watch it as you eat
- Create some sidewalk chalk art together in a nearby park
- Plan an intimate lakeside BBQ
- Hold hands and stroll through the fair
- Set up a tent and have s’mores
- Enjoy an Instagram-worthy picnic somewhere beautiful
- Head to the drive-in
- Pick your favorite decade and plan a theme night
- Create some fall coffee shop vibes at home
- Find a craft on Pinterest to make together
- Indulge in a candlelit fondue feast
- Take an autumn foliage tour while listening to sappy love songs
- Assemble a caramel apple bar
- List what you’re thankful for about one another, then read them aloud
- Snuggle up for a Christmas movie marathon
- Hold the ultimate cookie bake-off
- Stuff a shoebox for a child overseas or shop for an angel tree recipient
- Gaze at lights on a late-night drive
- Review the year’s pictures, videos, and highlights together
The Dwelling Place 
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