We are all wondering about these whimsical summer evenings – 72 degrees some eves’, 62 others.  Does it make it hard to plana little couple-only time away? Not at all! You always deserve a date night, a relationship boost, a refreshing night of something different, unexpected or nostalgic…

While it may not always be warm enough for a hazy dreamy twilight walk and kiss, (at least this summer!) there are some lovely alternatives.  The UofM Showboat Theatre review is raving “a cut above”  for both the production and the acting talents of   ’The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’. What could be more novel than a theatre production on a floating showboat?!  It’s got date potential and will be playing all summer! Check out the other river cruises for their possibilities!

How about a bit of nostalgia?  Try Mini Golf!   The Adventure Gardens Mini Golf has 18 holes of miniature golf surrounded by attractive gardens, landscaping, waterfalls, ponds and streams.  It is located on the west edge of Veteran’s Memorial Park on 64th and Portland.

Perhaps some music outdoors at twilight will beguile you both into a summertime frame of mind?  The Music in the Zoo has tickets for many different July and August events. There is a little something for every musical taste – try the Monkey’s (for anyone who grew up in the 70′s!) to Los Lobos, or BoyzIIMen or HippieFest 2011, or Gaellic Storm! You can’t miss, it’s a guaranteed date night winner!

And if you are looking for a truly unique date, then go no further than Out Of The Box Dates.  You simply must try “Somethin’s Cooking” or “Let the Games Begin!” Check out all our dates, games, love notes or conversation cards. And then write us with your exceptional date experiences – we’d love to hear!

You go to a personal trainer to make a commitment to exercise; you attend training seminars to improve your career.  But short of going to a marriage counselor, how do you climb the ladder of success with your spouse? How do you get a personalized plan to improve your marriage?

 The most direct method to success:

Spend some time thinking about it! This is a challenge to read on for five more minutes, and invest in your relationship future!  It’s a three step process.

 ONE – Get rid of ho-hum date nights

 We’ve all done it.  Dinner and a Movie. And you discuss the kids and their latest antics of declaring war on the dog, resulting in tripping over toy soldiers in the stairwell.  We all want a change of pace for our date night. Sure it’s great to be alone, just the two of you, but the classic problem is —- you really HAVE forgotten how to talk to each other.  Would you consider a conversation game? Wait! Hold that thought – more to come! But make the choice to NOT have another ho-hum date night.  

TWO – Focus on each other

 Looking for deeper connections is something that makes sense, though you may never find yourselves actually saying it to each other.

• But remember back to the last really interesting conversation you enjoyed –with anybody! 
• Chances are whether it was a co-worker or a neighbor, you paid them the honor of focusing ONLY on them as they talked to you. 
• It is not so easy for us to focus on each other after a long day at work, or cleaning up after the dog.
• Yet, if you were brave, the first to bring it up, you could ask your spouse to try something new.

 SOMETHING NEW:  You’ll each have one thing you want to tell each other, and you’ll listen completely and totally while you divulge it. Listening, with full eye contact and no distractions. Maybe make a promise to keep it short for this first try! This could be a new kind of date night….

 THREE – Have Fun

 Yes, it probably sounds trite. You have heard it before. But there is something to having fun. It’s contagious. Plenty of articles have been written about how it takes you out of your day-to-day stress.  You’ve read them – admit it.   http://stress.about.com/od/positiveattitude/a/having_fun.htm  Those headlines catch your eye, because deep down you DO want to have fun again! 

• But it can take some planning
• A certain commitment that you will show up to have fun. Really be there
• (Not the way you show up for those company training sessions, your mind on five other things)
•  The kind of “show up” that makes you lose track of time – where you enter the flow of fun

 YOUR CHALLENGE – SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT

 The three steps above are all do-able.

• You could decide today to do it. It doesn’t even have to cost much.
• It’s about intention…deciding to do something differently
• Give it your full attention, with a little planning and some conversation.  And you will feel GREAT!

 However, if you don’t mind a little help (after all, we do accept personal trainers, and those HR session leaders), then consider a few aids to help you in your quest for TRUE LOVE with your spouse.  Try the Out of the Box Dates conversation cards. For only $4.99:  http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/more-shopping.php#cards.  You will learn something about each other! There are plenty of other games, too if you want to look for a way to add some fun to your Date Nights.  It’s all in your hands.    Take a chance–True Love waits!    

Save more than a few pennies by taking your love out during the week.  There are a few places around town that offer cheap date night specials.  We’ve got you covered Monday through Thursday.

Monday’s Bowl Me Over Night     Where:  Bryant Lake Bowl     What you get:  Two entrees, Bottle of Wine (or substitute beer), and Two Games of Bowling     When:  6:30 p.m.– 12:00 a.m.     How Much:  $28     Located in Uptown, Bryant Lake Bowl has the cutest, antique lanes.  Great hang out!

Tuesday’s Bail Out Rendezvous     Where:  Zeno     What you get: Appetizer, Dessert, Bottle of Wine, and Two Movie Tickets to nearby Lagoon Theatre     When: 5 – 10 p.m.     How Much: $30     This alluring dessert and wine bar has a fab-u-lous locale, and desserts to die for!

Wednesday’s Dinner & a Movie Round Up     Where:  Axel’s Bonfire in Plymouth     What you get:  Appetizer, Bottle of Wine, Two Entrees, Dessert, and Two Movie Tickets to any Mann Theatre to be used anytime.     How Much:  $55     Fun western atmosphere, delicious meal, we ordered the Baileys chocolate cake for dessert (yum-me!!), and we loved the flexibility on the movie.  You decide when and where you want to go! 

Thursday’s Shameless Plug Night     Where:  Around Town     What you get:  An Out of the Box Mini-Date     How Much:  $30     After searching for into the late night, we could not find any consistent date night packages on Thursday nights.  Sure there are happy hours all over town, but no special deals for special couples.  So we decided to create one!  Here is what you get: an itinerary with some surprising, fun, and free options; dessert for two; and our Stone’s Throw to Romance Game (you can upgrade to our Color My Love Game +$5 or our Love Pops! Game +$15).   Call to order 763-383-2900.  Only available by phone orders!

If you have some inside information on any Date Night Deals around town, please let us know!

 What a perfect combination… Out of the Box Dates and a charming bed & breakfast!  We had quite an adventure when Jill Ward, owner of The Pillar Inn, asked us to create two custom adventures for guests staying at her beautiful inn. 

The Pillar Inn, Cold Spring, MN

We explored the quaint town, tasted the beer at the local Cold Spring Brewery, put on a few pounds at the well-known Cold Spring Bakery, climbed to the top of an almost-hidden hill to discover “Grasshopper Chapel,” researched some of the historic homes in town, won some choice-cuts at Grumpy’s Meat Raffle, and so much more!!  We weaved romance in and through Cold Spring, like only Out of the Box Dates can do!

The adventure is something to talk about, but the stay at The Pillar Inn made the weekend perfect.  Our Grand Suite was romantic, and lavishly furnished, complete with a Jacuzzi tub for two.  I think we even had a step stool to climb on top of the inviting bed.  But the best part was that we had the option of having our delicious breakfast served to us in our room on the veranda.  Don’t want to be social?  Breakfast in the room!  Feeling lazy, wanting to lounge in one of their comfy cozy robes?  Breakfast in the room!  Check out the link for more information about The Pillar Inn.

We put together one adventure focused on having fun and being silly together… Let the Games Begin in Cold Spring.  It is similar to the Let the Games Begin date available online our website, but unique in so many ways.  The other adventure that I really want to tell you about is our Pillar of Love Date.  This is ALL about romance!  We’ve got a walking/driving tour guide, wedding cakes, a chapel, kissing cards, and a very special dinner activity that will inspire deep discussion about YOUR relationship.  Details and pictures for both dates are coming soon to our website, but in the meantime, please call 763-383-2900 for more information!

Wishing you a lifetime of love and romance,

LeeAnn Williams

Owner/CEO, Out of the Box Dates, 763-383-2900