Keeping the Fun in Life as Time Goes by…
In the whirlwind of life—raising kids, managing careers, chasing grandkids, and juggling responsibilities—it’s easy for fun to quietly slip out the back door of a relationship. One day, you look at your partner and realize the spark has dimmed—not because love is gone, but because life has simply gotten too full. The good news? Fun can always be invited back in. It just takes a little intention and a sprinkle of creativity.
- Make Time for Just the Two of You
Let’s start with the basics: alone time. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking time together means running errands or watching TV side by side while scrolling on your phones. But real connection—the kind that brings laughter and joy—requires presence. That might mean scheduling a weekly date night, even if it’s just a backyard picnic with candlelight and no grandkids in sight. Or waking up a little early to sip coffee together and talk, without distractions.
Recently I suggested a dinner date with hubby, and I realized how fun it was just to enjoy dinner and a drink alone, when it wasn’t a family birthday event… just us two!
- Rediscover Shared Interests
Remember the things that brought you together in the first place? Whether it was hiking, dancing, cooking, or traveling, those shared passions still hold power. If you’ve drifted from them, make it a point to reintroduce them into your lives. Can’t salsa like you used to? Take a beginner class together and laugh your way through it. Not only does this bring back fond memories, but it also helps you create new ones.
Years ago we took a dancing class because we wanted to be active and have social time with fun people too. Twelve years later, we are still dancing every week, meeting new friends, and staying physically active as time goes by ( another plus)!
- Try Something Brand New
New experiences release dopamine—the “feel-good” brain chemical—which is the same chemical that surged when you first fell in love. So shake things up. Try a pottery class. Take a weekend road trip to a town you’ve never visited. Learn to play pickleball, join a trivia night, or explore a new hobby together. New experiences not only give you something to look forward to, they help you see each other with fresh eyes.
Once on a vacation we tried kayaking on the lake. I’ll admit, I didn’t think I was capable of handling a boat by myself. But I gained confidence, and now we can add this new activity to our list of “ fun things to do together.”
- Balance the “We” with the “Me”
Yes, together time is important—but so is time for yourself. When you nourish your individual passions and recharge your own energy, you bring more vibrancy to the relationship. It’s healthy (and fun!) to have stories to share when you reunite after a day spent doing something solo—whether that’s yoga, painting, or a long lunch with friends.
My hubby is a lifelong baseball coach. He is passionate about all things Baseball. As for me, I’d rather do jazzercise with the ladies, write an article or read a great book. But every day we feed our own passions. So we are never bored during our “together time” In fact, it’s more precious!
- Make Family a Joy, Not a Job
When you have children and grandchildren, it’s easy for your relationship to become centered around them. And yes, family is a blessing—but don’t let it be the only thing. Instead of letting family obligations replace couple time, blend them wisely. Invite the grandkids for a movie night, then follow it up with a glass of wine and a deep talk after they’ve gone to bed. Involve the whole family sometimes, but protect your sacred couple space too.
We often invite the kids and grandkids to join us for vacation time, And yes, it’s a lot of fun. But what I really look forward to is exploring a new place with my hubby. We always create new memories and cherish our many shared adventures over the years.
In the End, Fun Is a Choice
Keeping fun alive isn’t about having more time—it’s about prioritizing joy. It’s about choosing to flirt, to laugh, to be silly. It’s about remembering that love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action. And like any good habit, bringing fun back into your relationship just takes a little intention…and maybe a dash of spontaneity.
So go ahead. Book that dance class. Plan that surprise picnic. Share that inside joke. The fun never left—you just have to invite it back in.
Keeping the fun in Life as time goes by…
In the whirlwind of life—raising kids, managing careers, chasing grandkids, and juggling responsibilities—it’s easy for fun to quietly slip out the back door of a relationship. One day, you look at your partner and realize the spark has dimmed—not because love is gone, but because life has simply gotten too full. The good news? Fun can always be invited back in. It just takes a little intention and a sprinkle of creativity.
- Make Time for Just the Two of You
Let’s start with the basics: alone time. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking time together means running errands or watching TV side by side while scrolling on your phones. But real connection—the kind that brings laughter and joy—requires presence. That might mean scheduling a weekly date night, even if it’s just a backyard picnic with candlelight and no grandkids in sight. Or waking up a little early to sip coffee together and talk, without distractions. Recently I suggested a dinner date with hubby, and I realized how fun it was just to enjoy dinner and a drink alone, when it wasn’t a family birthday event… just us two!
- Rediscover Shared Interests
Remember the things that brought you together in the first place? Whether it was hiking, dancing, cooking, or traveling, those shared passions still hold power. If you’ve drifted from them, make it a point to reintroduce them into your lives. Can’t salsa like you used to? Take a beginner class together and laugh your way through it. Not only does this bring back fond memories, but it also helps you create new ones. Years ago we took a dancing class because we wanted to be active and have social time with fun people too. Twelve years later, we are still dancing every week, meeting new friends, and staying physically active as time goes by ( another plus)!
- Try Something Brand New
New experiences release dopamine—the “feel-good” brain chemical—which is the same chemical that surged when you first fell in love. So shake things up. Try a pottery class. Take a weekend road trip to a town you’ve never visited. Learn to play pickleball, join a trivia night, or explore a new hobby together. New experiences not only give you something to look forward to, they help you see each other with fresh eyes. Once on a vacation we tried kayaking on the lake. I’ll admit, I didn’t think I was capable of handling a boat by myself. But I gained confidence, and now we can add this new activity to our list of “ fun things to do together”
- Balance the “We” with the “Me”
Yes, together time is important—but so is time for yourself. When you nourish your individual passions and recharge your own energy, you bring more vibrancy to the relationship. It’s healthy (and fun!) to have stories to share when you reunite after a day spent doing something solo—whether that’s yoga, painting, or a long lunch with friends.
My hubby is a lifelong baseball coach. He is passionate about all things Baseball. As for me, I’d rather do jazzercise with the ladies, write an article or read a great book. But every day we feed our own passions. So we are never bored during our “together time” In fact, it’s more precious!
- Make Family a Joy, Not a Job
When you have children and grandchildren, it’s easy for your relationship to become centered around them. And yes, family is a blessing—but don’t let it be the only thing. Instead of letting family obligations replace couple time, blend them wisely. Invite the grandkids for a movie night, then follow it up with a glass of wine and a deep talk after they’ve gone to bed. Involve the whole family sometimes, but protect your sacred couple space too. We often invite the kids and grandkids to join us for vacation time, And yes, it’s a lot of fun. But what I really look forward to is exploring a new place with my hubby. We always create new memories and cherish our many shared adventures over the years.
In the End, Fun Is a Choice
Keeping fun alive isn’t about having more time—it’s about prioritizing joy. It’s about choosing to flirt, to laugh, to be silly. It’s about remembering that love isn’t just a feeling—it’s an action. And like any good habit, bringing fun back into your relationship just takes a little intention…and maybe a dash of spontaneity.
So go ahead. Book that dance class. Plan that surprise picnic. Share that inside joke. The fun never left—you just have to invite it back in.