Better Together Date Night
Friday Night Session : Intimacy
In this video, Brian Hughes shares why this year’s Marriage Conference is making space for what couples keep asking for: more time together. Brian also discusses a helpful, faith-based framework for intimacy: why it’s bigger than sex, how men and women are different, why honest conversation matters, and what it looks like to focus on your spouse’s needs with selfless love.
Date Night Ideas
This year’s Marriage Conference, Better Together, is getting a fresh twist! Instead of gathering on Friday night, we’re sending you and your spouse out on your very own Date Night Adventure. Yep-your homework is to go have fun together! Below is a list of creative, budget-friendly, and out-of-the-box date ideas to spark connection and laughter and fun. Or be creative and make your own date night adventure! While you’re out making memories, snap a picture and share it with us through the link below you’ll be entered to win a Date Night Prize Pack that’ll make your friends say, “Why didn’t we think of that?”
- Overview: Remember when you actually used to look forward to snow days? Recapture that childhood feeling by embracing the icy temperatures with a date night built around classic winter activities.
- Date Ideas:
- Hot Chocolate Walk: Bundle up, pack a thermos, and go for a stroll around your neighborhood, a favorite hiking trail, or a walking path.
- Ice-Skate Date: Hit a local ice-skating rink and stumble around together for laughs and memories.
- Fireside Chat: Hate the cold? Snuggle up around your firepit, fireplace, or a fireplace video.
- Conversation Starters:
- Would you rather be stranded in a romantic snowy cabin or on a remote desert island—and why?
- If you could change one thing about winter, what would it be?
- Share your favorite memory (or favorite thing to do) on a snow day as a kid.
- Recount a memorable winter activity you experienced together. What stands out about that time?
- Share one thing I do or say that makes you feel distant or comes across as cold.
- Name one thing I could start doing to bring more warmth into our relationship.
- Overview: Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a relaxing night indoors. Put away distractions and create something together you’ll remember long after the night is over.
- Date Ideas:
- DIY Dessert Night: Pick a fun winter-themed treat to make together—homemade cookies, warm apple crisp, or a build-your-own hot chocolate bar.
- Paint & Sip at Home: Grab canvases, paints, and hot chocolate or apple cider. Follow a tutorial together or paint something meaningful for each other.
- Board Game or Puzzle Night: Choose a game that gets you laughing, or a puzzle that lets you chat as you piece it together.
- Conversation Starters:
- If we started a small business together, what would it be—and why?
- What’s something creative or artistic you’ve always wanted to try?
- What’s one of your favorite cozy childhood memories?
- If we had to be snowed in for a week, what’s one must-have item you’d bring?
- What’s something I do that makes you feel appreciated?
- Overview: Chilly weather is the perfect excuse to indulge in something warm and delicious while having deeper conversations.
- Date Ideas:
- Cheese or Chocolate Fondue: Pick your favorite and dip bread, fruit, or marshmallows.
- Candlelit Indoor Picnic: Lay out a blanket by the fireplace (or a fireplace video) and create a relaxed, intimate vibe.
- Share Your “Highs & Lows”: Reflect on the best and most challenging moments of the past year together.
- Conversation Starters:
- What’s one of your favorite meals we’ve ever shared together?
- If we could have dinner with any historical or famous couple, who would it be?
- What’s one thing you admire about how we’ve grown as a couple?
- What’s a dream or goal you have for us in the next year?
- Overview: Write down what you want to do before spring, combine your ideas, and start checking them off together—making intentional time for connection and fun all season.
- Date Ideas:
- Create a Winter Bucket List: Each of you writes down 5 things you’d love to do before spring. Compare and combine your ideas.
- Do One Right Away: Bake a holiday treat, take a spontaneous drive to see snow, or make snow angels—start the list immediately.
- Plan a Surprise Date: Each of you picks one bucket list item and plans it as a surprise for the other.
- Conversation Starters:
- What’s something new we should try together this winter?
- If we could take a spontaneous weekend trip somewhere cold, where would we go?
- What’s a bucket-list experience you’d love to do together someday?
- How can we be more intentional about making memories instead of just going through the motions?
- Overview: Rest doesn’t always require getting away—it can be created right at home. Build a cozy nest, enjoy playful fun, and reflect on rhythms of rest that restore your hearts and home.
- How It Works:
- Build a Blanket Fort or Sleeping Pallet: Pile up pillows, blankets, and snacks in the living room.
- Watch a Movie or Play a Game: Choose something lighthearted that makes you laugh.
- Talk About Rest: Brainstorm ways to create more margin at home so you feel refreshed (use conversation starters).
- Conversation Starters:
- What’s one part of our schedule that drains us the most right now?
- Where could we build in a little more margin each week?
- What kind of rest actually restores you—not just distracts you?
- What’s one small change we could make at home to feel more present with each other?
- Overview: Sometimes the simplest moments—like walking side by side—create the deepest connections. Slow down, enjoy fresh air together, share honestly, and invite God’s presence into your home and relationship.
- How It Works:
- Take a Walk: Around your neighborhood or a nearby path.
- Share a High & Low: From the day/week, and what you look forward to about being reunited at the end of the day.
- Pray Together: As you head home, pray for protection and connection in your relationship and family.
- Conversation Starters:
- What’s one part of your day you wish I understood better?
- What’s something you’re carrying right now that I can help lighten?
- When do you feel most connected to me lately?
- What’s one thing we could do this week to feel more like a team?
- Overview: In the busyness of life, stillness can feel like a gift. Create a quiet evening together, share a meal, and reflect on how God is moving in your home and family right now.
- How It Works:
- Create a Quiet Evening: Put the kids to bed early or get a sitter if needed.
- Share a Meal or Dessert by Candlelight: Order takeout or go to a quiet restaurant.
- Reflect on Your Current Season: Share something you enjoy about your home or where you see God at work (use conversation starters).
- Conversation Starters:
- What’s something you’re grateful for in our family right now?
- Where do you feel like we’re thriving—and where do we need help?
- What’s one prayer you’d like us to pray together this week?
- What’s one way I can support you in this season?
- Overview: God’s faithfulness is woven through every season. Reflect on your journey together, remember His hand in your story, and worship Him for all He’s done.
- How It Works:
- Draw a Timeline of Your Marriage: Include milestones, answered prayers, and hard seasons.
- Name the Faith Moments: Identify where you saw God’s hand—even if it wasn’t clear at the time.
- Worship Together: Listen to a worship song that reminds you of His faithfulness and talk through the conversation starters.
- Conversation Starters:
- When you think back to when we first met, where do you see God’s hand in our story?
- What did “trusting God” in marriage mean to you back then?
- What season of our marriage required the most trust in God?
- Share a time when we were unsure how things would work out—but God came through.
- Where do we feel God leading us as a couple right now?
- What steps can we take to trust God more in our daily routines and decisions?
- Bonus Tip: Write your answers in a journal to document these reflections and dreams together.
- Overview: Life’s detours can shape your journey in powerful ways. Embrace the unexpected together and trust God with the road ahead.
- How It Works:
- Go on a Scenic Drive Without GPS: Pick a direction and take turns choosing the route at intersections.
- Talk About Past Detours: Share a time things didn’t go as planned—but God showed up (use conversation starters).
- Pray for the Road Ahead: Pull over and pray for wisdom, courage, and trust for the journey ahead.
- Conversation Starters:
- What’s a detour we didn’t choose that ultimately shaped us for the better?
- Where do you feel uncertain right now—and how can I support you?
- What does trusting God look like for us in this season?
- What’s one “next step” we can take together, even if we can’t see the whole path?
- Overview: Discover your flavor preferences—and your personalities—one bite at a time. Test snacks, sauces, or drinks while uncovering how differently you approach decisions, risks, and cravings.
- How It Works:
- Shop Together: Split up and each buy 4–5 foods/drinks your spouse wouldn’t normally grab (weird chips, spicy sauces, international snacks). Also buy one item you know they love (save it for last).
- Do a Blind Taste Test: Take turns feeding the other person a bite/sip. Guess what it is and rate it.
- Talk About It: Are you adventurous? Comfort-seeking? What surprised you?
- Wrap It Up: Give each other the “favorite” item you bought and enjoy it while you talk.
- Conversation Starters:
- When do you feel most adventurous—and when do you want what’s familiar?
- What’s one small risk we should take together this year?
- What surprised you most about my choices tonight?
- Where do we play it safe as a couple—and is that good or limiting?
- Overview: Test your memory, laugh a lot, and see how differently you each experience life. This is a walk down memory lane—and totally fun.
- How It Works:
- Go to Dinner: Your favorite spot—fast food or fine dining.
- Tell Your Versions: Take turns sharing your version of:
- The first time you saw each other
- Your first date
- How you got engaged
- Your first big conflict
- Your wedding day (bonus points if you have old photos!)
- Share What You Learned: What stood out, what felt important, and how your personalities showed up.
- Talk It Out: Over dessert or the drive home, keep the conversation going.
- Conversation Starters:
- What moment made you feel most loved early on?
- What do you think we’ve gotten better at over time?
- What’s one lesson we learned the hard way—but we’re grateful for now?
- What’s one new memory you want us to make this season?
Love Languages Assessment
Take 10 minutes to take the FREE assessment, then read your results together & talk about them.
Use the provided conversation starters below to keep the conversation going.
Conversation Starter:
- If Hollywood made a romantic comedy about us, who should play you and who should play me?
- What’s your favorite outdoor activity we do together?
- What is one of your favorite memories from when we were dating?
- What is your favorite movie, book, or song?
- What is one memory or event from your childhood that you’ve never told me about?
- What do you want to do when we retire?
- What is your dream job?
- Which would you prefer: a lake house or a beach house?
- What is your greatest talent?
- What is something that scared you as a child?
- Which did you like best—elementary school, middle school, high school, or college?
- If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
- Would you rather have more money or more time?
- What was your favorite toy or possession when you were a child?
- Do you prefer excitement or security?
- If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
- If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what meal would you choose?
- Is there a new hobby or activity you want to try?
- When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
- If you could have dinner with one famous person (still living), who would it be?
Book Recommendations
