May is Date Your Mate Month!

Posted by: Shel 15 Comments

May is Date Your Mate MonthThere are so many celebrations and weird ‘holidays’ in May, I was having trouble deciding which one to write about. When I came across Dennis Spielman’s Uncovering Oklahoma’s 2014 Date Idea Book, I knew that International Tuba Day (first Friday in May), Lumpy Rug Day (May 3) and No Socks Day (May 8) weren’t going to make the final cut.

The book isn’t just a laundry list of places to eat and events – it’s a thoughtful collection of eateries, activities and options with remarks about what special characteristic makes it a good date choice. From fitness options to less-fit-conscious options (I’m just now finding out about a Cake Eater’s Club??) there’s something for every age, taste and budget. I was going to have my husband choose between a glass-blowing class and checking out a night of live music, pop-up shops and a major food truck gathering, but then I remembered it’s date month – we can do both!

Click on picture for book information
Click on picture for book information

For the evening date that doesn’t end until after the morning meal, Spielman highlights several Bed and Breakfasts around the state that offer special features to enhance your  spousal date. I was delighted to see Holmberg House in Norman, run by our dear friends, innkeepers Lou and Gene Christian, included on the list.

Holmberg House

Holmberg House, Est. 1914, Norman, OK (Click picture for more information)
Holmberg House, Est. 1914, Norman, OK
(Click picture for more information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The book includes a handful of suggestions for outside of Oklahoma, and some clever ideas for date activities.

For those of you who aren’t in Oklahoma, I’m pleased to tell you that I entered several state and city names with the words “dating ideas” into a search engine and for each there were several articles with entertaining suggestions. So while the ideas may not be as organized as the Spielman book or all in one place, they are readily available. Not to mention that I did a lot of the leg work for you in coming up with creative dating ideas in some previous posts: Date Your Mate for Free, Part One, Part Two, and Part Three. You will see things on those lists that will make you say: “Hmmm – I never thought about that for a date – what a great idea!” You and your spouse are now officially armed to fully participate in Date Your Mate Month!

Remember: Statistics show that a couple that makes time to play together is more likely to stay together. Just sayin’ . . .

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15 Comments

  • My husband and I didn’t know May was the “date your mate” month–though Oklahoma has some great ideas!–but we have claimed every Friday as “Date Day.” No Tubas or Lumpy Rugs, and if our date day includes hiking we always wear socks 😉 , and the only “other person” allowed to come along is Maggie, our dog.
    Sometimes we pick a movie to go to after breakfast out at a favorite place to eat, or we might go out to lunch and then to the Fine Arts Center, or go off-roading and take a picnic. It’s become a special time to do something that gives us time and space to talk and laugh–just us–with no cell phones or going to usual places where friends might also go.
    We started this when our daughter was growing up, and we paid a college girl who gave her art lessons or took her swimming, so our daughter had a great time, too. At dinner on Friday nights she always had great things to tell us about her day. We’ve now been doing this more than two decades, and if something gets in the way of Friday, we go on Saturday or ASAP because it’s become so important to us!

    • Shel Harrington

      I didn’t know about May being “Date Your Mate” month either until I was looking at the holiday list. Although I couldn’t find it’s origin, I found several other sources that acknowledged the ‘celebration.’ I love how you have prioritized this over the years – what a great example for your daughter. Is she married? If so, has she picked up on that tradition?

  • My hubby is teaching me to play chess. It’s completely okay if we get interrupted by the babes and a game can stretch for days. Chess is an interesting way to learn more about the way your date thinks by observing strategy.

    • Shel Harrington

      I bet you see a lot of interesting facial expressions, too! I like the idea of a continuing date, Brandi – I might just have to get out the ol’ backgammon board and leave it out of the way so we can take a few turns as we pass by. Not quite as challenging as chess, but I like the ‘ongoing’ concept!

  • Sounds like an interesting book/guide. One of my goals this year is to have a date night with my husband each week.

    • Shel Harrington

      And a worthy goal it is, Lisa! I wasn’t familiar with some of the food places Spielman has in the book – but I’m looking forward to checking them out!

  • we’re heading to a b&B this weekend to celebrate our anniversary coming up 21 years!

    • Shel Harrington

      Woo hooooo! Happy Anniversary, Lin – sounds like a wonderful weekend coming up!

  • And by Normal, I meant Norman, of course. Because it’s not quite Normal.

    • Shel Harrington

      If you ever locate ‘Normal’ let me know – I’m dying to know what it looks like!!!

  • The book looks great. I wish I had had it when I was visiting Normal several times a year . . . .

  • Playing golf together is a great way to spend time together, especially if you’re relationship is just blooming. Believe me, you learn a lot about a person when you spend 4 1/2 hours watching them get frustrated. 🙂
    Tuba Day? Ha ha! I wonder if there’s a Clarinet Day…that’s what I played. 🙂

    • Shel Harrington

      There is a group out there that declared May 3 as National Clarinet Day – they have a FB page. I think it’s Bellevue Cadets, but since it’s been a good 10 second since I read it I’m not 100{2303b849a176fc4c55cbcb5b49f44c0b6a86ba83e746fb3d962701d1b8d54085} sure that’s accurate!

      Had to laugh at the golf idea – I bet you DO get to know several sides of someone you golf with!

  • Lumpy Rug Day? ugh, that sounds gross. I think I’ll stick with your suggestion of Date You Mate. I’ve never been to Holmberg House but have heard really good things about it. Another local romantic getaway that is right here is Whispering Pines. Love that place.

    • Shel Harrington

      I’ve only been to Whispering Pines once for dinner, but am looking forward to a return trip – the food was really good! It’s a bit off the beaten path, though – have you gotten any feedback from anybody that has actually stayed there?

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