By Hilary Bernstein, Contributing Writer

There’s just something about summertime and love. It’s easy to have fun – and fall in love – when the weather’s nice.

I personally remember the excitement of kindling a relationship with my husband throughout one summer – although, at the time I never would have guessed he would become my husband.

Each summer since our initial friendship began, we’ve spent time enjoying each other. Instead of being cooped up indoors, it’s easy to get outside and have fun together. Here are 8 ways we’ve enjoyed each other in the past.

8 Ways to Enjoy Summer with Your Spouse

1. Take a hike.

If you’re close to hiking trails, explore nature together. And if plain old walking’s more your style, simply take a walk together after dinner. You’ll have an excellent opportunity to talk.

2. Get active.

Play a team sport with other couples. Head to the batting cages. Go skydiving –or swimming – together. Find a new trail and go on a bike ride. If you’re not athletically inclined (like me), try putt-putt golf.

3. Be inactive, outside.

Go to a drive-in movie. Head to a ballpark to watch a baseball game. Watch fireworks together. Listen to a concert in the park.

4. Window shop.

Shopping even seems more interesting when the weather’s nice. Head to an outdoor market or shopping complex and browse together. Check out farmers markets, flea markets or garage sales. Even if you don’t buy a thing, you’ll make memories.

5. Go for a drive.

If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, play the dice game. Simply bring along a pair of dice and roll them at every stop light. Decide ahead of time if odd or even numbers mean to turn left or right. Also decide an ending time. You’ll be surprised where you end up in even half an hour.

6. Get away.

Go on a vacation together. Or if money’s tight, have a staycation and check out fun, free sites in the area. The point is to break up your routine and make memories together.

7. Head to the water.

Whether it’s playing in the waves at the beach, fishing together in a stream, going for a boat ride, or heading to a water park, water adds a special element.

8. Eat al fresco.

Have a picnic. Eat dinner outside at a restaurant or on your own patio. Take a stroll with ice cream cones or slushes. Enjoy the summer nights with a refreshing drink and some light appetizers outside once the sun goes down.

 

Try to make enjoyable summer memories. As Ecclesiastes 9:9 exhorts, “Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun.” (For a cheerier but similar message, Proverbs 5:18 tells, “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.”)

Your turn

What fun ways have you and your spouse enjoyed the summer?