Turns out my friend Coreene knows about more than dragons! She has a good bead on what it takes to stay together and have a great relationship that in turn nurtures her whole family. That's a Valentine's Day Winner! She's also doing an INTERNATIONAL giveaway and has donated to the Grand Prizes as well!!!
MAKE VALENTINE'S DAY A REGULAR EVENT
by Coreene Callahan
St. Valentine’s Day is just a week away. Are you excited? Planning all kinds of cool stuff for you and your significant other? I hope so. Celebrating the one we love, after all, is not only necessary, but a lot of fun too. We should do it more often, don’t you think? I do, so today, I’d like to suggest something a little different as we approach February 14th. Make St. Valentine’s Day a regular event in your house.
St. Valentine’s Day is just a week away. Are you excited? Planning all kinds of cool stuff for you and your significant other? I hope so. Celebrating the one we love, after all, is not only necessary, but a lot of fun too. We should do it more often, don’t you think? I do, so today, I’d like to suggest something a little different as we approach February 14th. Make St. Valentine’s Day a regular event in your house.
All right, I know
what you’re thinking…“what the heck does she meant by that?” Well, let me
explain with two words…
Date night.
For many couples,
date night is a foreign concept. Not that we don’t know about it—of course, we
do—but if your house is anything like mine, life gets in the way and all hope
of quality time with your spouse gets tossed out the
nearest window. I should know. As a parent of three very active girls, some
days I don’t know which way is up. Most of the time, I find myself caught in
the crosshairs, a bull’s-eye on my forehead as I try to balance a busy career
with the demands of motherhood. Toss in the house, the dog, and all the extras,
like birthday parties, homework, hockey practice, art class and…yeah. You
guessed it. The “us” time my husband and I need gets shoved onto the back
burner.
Oh, I start out with
good intentions. Schedules taped to the refrigerator door. Blocks of time
crossed out in my iPhone agenda, and still, date night never seems to happen.
At least, not with any regularity. Which is a problem. A big one, considering
my husband and I are the foundation upon which our family is set. A foundation
that needs to be rock solid if our children are to continue to thrive.
So what does that
mean exactly?
Let me put it to you
this way. A relationship is like a living thing. If you don’t feed and water
it—take time to nurture it—the relationship will eventually wither and die. So,
when I talk about “us” time, what I really mean is “vital” time. Those precious
few hours set aside every week for just one person…your partner, lover, and
best friend.
Okay, granted…“us”
time looks great on paper. An excellent theory with nothing but feel-good
intentions when in reality, your days are filled with to-do lists a mile long.
But here’s the thing. Finding time for your significant other is easier than it
sounds.
Sometimes, it’s as
simple as turning off the T.V., talking instead of watching. Sometimes, it’s
about dusting off the cribbage board (or whatever game you both enjoy playing)
and laughing as you try to best each other in a game of chance. And sometimes,
it’s all about the kiss and cuddle in front of a who-the-heck-cares movie after
the kids have gone to bed.
I learned this the
hard way, because like or not, my husband and I can’t always splurge on an
exclusive restaurant or expensive trip. We have a young family, and let’s face
it children aren’t cheap. So, in the spirit of keeping my budget-minded man
happy, I started to get creative with not only our time, but our money as well.
For instance, the
other night we played a crazy game of Scrabble after our girls went to bed. And
by crazy, I mean wildly competitive. Sound boring? Not even close. I had the
best time. We talked. We laughed. We tried to beat the pants off each other,
and by the end, I felt closer to the man I love. But even better, I remembered
why I like him, too. It didn’t take
much more than the willingness to sit down at the table and purposefully ignore
the clamor of our busy lives, if only for a little while.
So, “us” time doesn’t
need to be complicated or fancy. It doesn’t always mean hiring a baby sitter or
spending a fortune at an upscale restaurant. You’ve got no one to impress but
each other, so hey, have fun with it. Stay home, reinvent St. Valentine’s Day,
and try something new. Sit out on the back porch star gazing with a glass of
wine. Cook together. Heck, make him the sous chef if you want to, but DO spend
time with each other. Just the two of you, no kids interrupting, cell phones
chiming or work files open on your laptops. Make the investment in your
relationship and future happiness. Your spouse is worth it, and so are you.
GIVEAWAY!
So tell me…what have
you got planned for St. Valentine’s Day? Anything special? Use the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment for
a chance to win an KNIGHT AWAKENED (autographed print copy or a Kindle ebook
copy…winner's preference).
ABOUT COREENE!
Coreene Callahan is the bestselling author of the Dragonfury
novels and Circle of Seven series. For more about her and her books, please
visit her website www.CoreeneCallahan.com
or stop by her Facebook
author page to keep up with the latest news.
www.CoreeneCallahan.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coreene-Callahan/173981189346509
https://twitter.com/coreenecallahan
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321960.Coreene_Callahan
https://pinterest.com/dragonfury/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coreene-Callahan/173981189346509
https://twitter.com/coreenecallahan
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321960.Coreene_Callahan
https://pinterest.com/dragonfury/
First thank you a lot for the international giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI haven't found my significant other yet so no romantic St Valentin for me but i will try to find or to create a little something for those i appreciate and/or love ( my mother, brother, special best friend, even my dog will get his^^) it won't be necessarily on the 14 february though because i think you should show your feelings everyday so i try to have special attention all the year along^^
i love your idea of a game together for example, because all time is important not the money we spend
thank you once again for the giveaway!! i really hope to discover your series soon so winning this would be fabulous!
Thanks, Miki! And you so welcome. I'm a big fan of giveaways too!
DeleteSuper post, Coreene! Valentine's is an anniversary of sorts for me. My first date with my husband was on a Valentine's Day! He made handmade candles, no joke, stole tons of his mother's orchids,for the floral arrangement and cooked a romantic dinner for me. Best Valentine's EVER! We try to make it special every year. Thank you so much, Coreene, for supporting the event and being such a wonderful author.
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds amazing, Dana! I love it when a guy puts a lot of effort into something. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive...it's the effort that counts, right? :-)
DeleteValentine's isn't a real big deal for my husband and me. We'll probably exchange homemade cards(which we do all year, anyway), and have a nice, quiet dinner at home. One thing I do try to remember on Valentine's Day is to wish my friend Jill a Happy Birthday! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on that one. My hubby and I don't do much either. We usually just open a bottle of wine and spent the evening chatting. Wish a happy birthday to your friend this year for me too! LOL
DeleteThat's so sweet ARoquet!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fab-tastic post today Coreene
Dana, Whoa!
Miki Thanks for coming by!I love your philosophy.
Hi Steph! A big thanks to you too! Am loving the Fools For Luv event!
DeleteI've been married for almost 36 years and for Valentines we don't really celebrate. He was in the Navy for 25+ years and we learned early on to celebrate our love whenever he was home. I have the most wonderful husband who tries and makes everyday a valentine moment. By the way..I love the dragonfury series. The first knights awaken was awesome and looking forward to then next one. But I do believe you have dragons in your basement...cause how else do you write about so well ;D
ReplyDeleteI love that you don't wait for a holiday to celebrate love for each other. And in re the dragons in the basement, I wonder,...
DeleteWow. 36 years. That's an amazing accomplishment that takes true committment. And you're right...celebrating the little things every day amounts to a lot more than just celebrating one day a year! And thanks too...I'm thrilled you are enjoying the books! Oh, and how I wish I had a few dragons stashed in my basement! LOL
DeleteGreat post. My hubby and I don't go all out for Valentine's Day but this year we made a new year resolution to have more time for us. Our kids are in middle school and high school and have very busy schedules. Hubby and I try to sneak off and have coffee while we are waiting on the kids. He has started going with me grocery shopping and errand running on weekends. So you are right...everyday should be Valentine's Day
ReplyDeleteLove is special because when we have it, we don't always see how rare it is. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteMore time is a must, Shellbelle! The busier our schedules become, the harder it is to spent the time, but it is worth it in the end! And I love your solution of shopping and doing errands together. That's perfect!
Deleteenjoyed the post. I've always thought it was important to have a regular date night, especially after the kids arrive, to make time for each other. my sister & her husband implemented date night when their kids were young (neighbor girl came ever week on a set week night) & they'd do something just the 2 of them. sometimes it was traditional date activity (dinner/movie) but other times it was just time together (a drive, look at new houses, even shopping qualified) with the key being time together (even if sometimes just an hour or so) to talk & remember the whats/whys of the relationship. that time together helped them not just through the good times but over rough spots as well as it helped them stay connected, it takes more than one or two days a year to build a life together.
ReplyDeleteIt does take more than one or two days a year. I also think that applies to the idea of "the wedding" and "the marriage." People get caught up in
Deletespecial events" and don't see that every day with the people you love is special.
You are so right! It's the everyday moments that make all the difference in the world! Special celebrations are fun, but it's the little things that really matter.
DeleteTerrific post! We don't have any specific plans, but we're most likely going to go to dinner (we go every Saturday...as long as it's not hunting season) and then home to curl up and watch TV (if the dogs will let us have the couch) :)
ReplyDeleteYour dogs need their own couch! Thanks for stopping in.
DeleteThanks, Traci! And I agree with Steph. Your dogs DO need their own couch! :-)
DeleteI agree 100% with you on your post... We have family game nights... hubby and i have snuggle time even if it is just for 10 minutes where i climb in bed lay next to him and we just relax and enjoy each other... The kids normally end up in bed with us so it is a family snuggle.For Valentines Day hubby and i are going to have lunch together at our favorite Adult Resturant where we normaly go on our Annivesary... and then take in a movie if possible before the Eldest gets out of school... our Youngest is going to the babysitter lol. No gifts just enjoying each others company.
ReplyDeleteSounds like that is a gift right there. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteSounds like a great plan, Jeanette. I love movies too...so my hubby and I try to get to one every chance we get. Thanks for stopping by!
Deletegreat post! We don't really celebrate it either but we always find time to do things together even its watching our favorite show or taking a hot bath together. ;)
ReplyDeleteFroggy
Thanks for stopping by. Have fun together!
DeleteOh, a hot bath! Sounds awesome. Thanks for taking the time to read the post and comment!
DeleteEnjoyed your post. No special plans for Valentine's Day, but we'll probably watch a favorite movie.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. My hubby and I might do the same. Going to the cinema is one of our favorite things to do together! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby suggested dinner out this year..I am in SHOCK. We never go out! =)
ReplyDeleteMary
I hear yah, Mary. But that's a wonderful thing for him to do! We don't go out much either. I have food allergies, which makes eating at restaurants hard, but when we do manage to eat out, it's always a treat! Enjoy every second!
Deletei will celebrate with my friends this year, thanks for participating in the hop :)
ReplyDeletesunshine_pinkystar(at)yahoo(dot)com
It's been so much fun, Olivia! Thanks for stopping by to comment!
DeleteNo plans
ReplyDeleteStay in and enjoy a fun movie, Donna. That always works for me! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteRom-com movie marathon with the roommates :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like great fun! Enjoy every second, Veronica! I'll probably be doing the same.
DeleteSince my HEA didn't turn out so well, I will just be spending time with my kids.
ReplyDeletethompsonem3 at aol dot com
Not much better than that, Ellen. My kids will be in on Valentine's Day too. We end up making A LOT of fancy homemade cards! Thanks for taking the time to stop by!
ReplyDeleteI'll probably meet up with some other single friends and we'll do dinner and drinks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
We're not planning anything special. WE will just cook dinner together and watch a movie while snuggled up on the couch.
ReplyDeleteLove your books Coreene.
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
At this point I think just spending time with my husband and cooking dinner together. Having chocolates and wine :)
ReplyDeleteOrdering some takeout and making chocolate covered strawberries. We have yet to brave the valentine's day crowds. :)
ReplyDelete