Date Night in a Box

MSG for 21+: Special thanks to Wente Vineyards for giving us the opportunity to share one of our date nights, and allowing us to remind the world to slow down and enjoy the journey that is life. #LoveOfTheJourney

It’s no secret that 2015 was miserable.

Except for having Maverick. He’s a peach.

When Michael wasn’t at work, he was at school. When Michael was home, he was doing homework or working on who knows what project. Spending time together consisted of sleeping in the same bed. Not to be confused with falling asleep together, or even participating in some big spoon, little spoon action.

We were roommates with different agendas. I wanted him home so I could recover, and he wanted to finish school to provide for his family. Both agendas were valid, but our priorities were jacked, and our relationship suffered.

And honestly… I would have left him because I (felt like) was raising my kids alone, but I needed his health insurance, so I stuck it out. (He hates when I tell people that but it reminds me of how far we’ve come in our relationship. I am proud of our resilience, and I hope that one day our kids recognize the importance of wedding vows and communication.)

Marriage is a journey. A journey that is sometimes crazy difficult.

For real, though. It’s a lot of work.

(I feel like I should say that this is not a confession of adultery for either party, yadda yadda. It’s more like the rock bottom we hit on our way to the good stuff.)

Even before we became familiar with Wente Vineyards, we started having ‘stay at home’ date nights.

Real date nights. With real conversations. Sometimes we played cards, and other times we watched our favorite TV show, but no matter what we were doing, we always cracked open a bottle of red. Always. This specific evening we shared the Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, and our next date night we will try the Sandstone Merlot.

For the record… wine glasses are the only real dishes that don’t bunch my panties when I have to hand wash them in the bathroom sink. Yanno, kitchen remodel and all that jazz.

And when I remember to pick out a treat while grocery shopping, we enjoy a fancy treat sans children.

But the real reason our date nights saved our marriage has nothing to do with not having to share the sugary goodness with our kids.

We talk.

About everything.

In a safe environment.

We check our emotions at the awkward stair dividing the kitchen from the family room and speak freely about our fears, insecurities, desires, etc. Which has indirectly strengthened our physical relationship. I feel like we are finally more than just husband and wife on paper.

(I will add the date night questions to this post in the next day or so.)

I’m sharing our love story, dirty laundry and all, because you will never truly appreciate the good days until you recognize the storm you just weathered. The Wente family’s story began in 1883, when German immigrant, C.H. Wente immigrated to America with the dream of creating a better life, and our family’s story was reborn just this year. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Oh… and the beauty of a date night in a box is being able to pack away any unfinished Wente Wine and your random trinkets so you have all of your items ready for the next date night. No excuses.

Did you know that Wente is known as “California’s First Family of Chardonnay.” and is still the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned winery in the country? Pretty cool!

Do a girl a favor and pin this date night in a box!