Whether having been together for 1 year or 10 years, having date night as a ritual in your marriage is essential to keeping the marriage strong. It’s difficult to really dedicate time and attention to your spouse when you work a 9-5 and have small children to attend to. You forget about yourself and each other.

Personally, I long for date nights. I love my husband, and I love spending time together, just the two of us, without our daughters. It puts us in a different place; it brings us back to our dating days. You know, the days where we were still trying to impress each other and just could not keep our hands off one another. Yes, those amazing days.

I think some couples under-estimate the importance of date night and the effects it truly has on your relationship. Here are four important reasons why date night should be an absolute ritual in your marriage.

Communication

Date night helps keep the communication going. When you do not have to worry about your daily demands of children and work, it is easier to express yourself and talk about things that have been on your mind. It gives the couple the opportunity to discuss important information without distractions. Even if there aren't any issues to really talk about, scheduling a date gives you the opportunity to just talk and bond in general - about any and everything.

Romance

Who doesn't love a little romance? It's one of my favorite things about Ariel. Going out makes the world of difference in our moods and in the way we treat one another. You have to make the most of the alone time together. Regardless of what you decide to do on your date together, you are a couple. And having alone time will remind you of that. I fall in love with Ariel all over again when we are out together. He’s so handsome! I forget how messy Ariel is or how much he I hate his video game obsession. None of that matters on our night.

Commitment

Taking time out of your business lives and schedules to dedicate to one another shows how dedicated you are to the relationship. Think about it: you have to find a sitter, put aside other demand and make the time -- all these steps show that you still prioritize your marriage. It's not always easy for us to find a sitter so whenever we get the opportunity, we certainly take it. Planning a date night can feel like such a hassle to some people, but it shows your partner and reminds you that your relationship is still #1.

And remember, it is not so much what you do when you are together, but the energy you bring.

Take a Breather from Life’s Demands

Date night connects you with your spouse and gives a much needed break from the demands of everyday life. It's not easy to be a wife and partner when you are also an employee, a mom, a chef, a bedtime story reader, the cleaning crew, and have a side hustle like I do. Set aside your busy to-do list and just focus on each other; listening to each other, being affectionate, just being close. It avoids having your spouse feeling neglected.

A tip: when out on date night, TURN OFF YOUR PHONE. Give your spouse your undivided attention. You each deserve it.

Why Date Night is So Crucial in a Happy Marriage