Outdoor Dates

     It has come to my attention over the last couple of years that love isn't a set it and forget it proposition. A loving relationship is full of grease fittings and molded plastic parts that if not maintained regularly will crack and fail in a puddle of leaky dreams and shattered hope. As my wife and I have begun to understand this we have made an effort to go on more dates together. And even though we both managed to not cry during The Fault in Our Stars we need something more than a run of the mill dinner or movie date. For us, a good date is one that you remember, one where you can actually enjoy each other's company and connect, not just share someone else's plot in a summer blockbuster.

     For us, outdoor dates have been a great way to accomplish this connection. This last weekend we both decided it would be a great idea to mountain bike from our house in Clay Springs 14.7 miles on old double track forest trails to Taylor, AZ where we would have breakfast at a local eatery and then drive back home in the pickup I had left there the day before.  Celisse was understandably apprehensive as she hadn't ridden that far in some time but we were both excited and looked forward to the adventure.

   

 Saturday morning arrived, my wife's cousins came to watch the girls and despite not being able to find my wallet, and needing to add sealant to my front tire last minute we set off basically on time. We enjoyed the ride, I refrained from racing and we walked the hills when we had to. We talked about the scenery, about life and about the large forest fire we could see in the distance. It took roughly an hour and forty five minutes to get there but it felt much shorter. Not only were we able to reconnect with each other but we were able to forget, at least for a time, the big things that were happening in both of our lives. Breakfast was great and the rest of our day was just that little bit better. As the day flew by I couldn't help but day dream back to the fun we'd had on the trail.

   The breakfast ride was our biggest ride together so far but I'm sure we will top it soon. We have been mountain biking together throughout our marriage, but up until this year have taken little time to take our bikes out together. Outdoor dates are becoming common again as well. Our dating years were full of epic hikes, runs, picnics, and even campouts. Celisse first introduced me to Cultus Lake Oregon in 2010 and I suppose marriage became pretty much inevitable at that point. Children and other responsibilities have had a knack for taking up our time and we started to see how little time was being put back into our relationship. I'm certainly no love doctor and am still learning myself but outdoor activities do seem to bring a level of honesty out of two people. Enjoying a certain level of hard work and suffering brings renewed respect for one another and so as far as dates go, outdoor activities seem pretty top notch.

We always try to pair any exercise related activity with something relaxing like a picnic or dinner. Couples that can go riding or walking every morning are doing great but to make that jump to "date" status add some other element. Whether it's stargazing in the back of a pick up, roasting smores by the fire, or riding/hiking a beautiful trail these kinds of dates are great for couples who enjoy the outdoors. I'm certainly grateful for the beauty that God has given us in this land and sharing that with the girl I love makes it that much more special.