Setting aside time for each other strengthens emotional bonds, improves communication, and keeps romance alive . PHOTO | shutterstock
Life gets busy; work, children, bills, and responsibilities pile up, and before you know it, quality time with your partner becomes an afterthought. It is easy to assume love will sustain itself, but relationships need effort. That is where date nights come in.
Date nights are not just about dressing up and going out. They are about reconnecting, stepping away from routines, and focusing on each other. Whether you have been together for decades or are just starting to date, these special moments can bring back excitement and closeness.
Why date nights matter
Leah Nagasha, a relationship therapist, says couples who make time for date nights tend to have stronger, healthier relationships.
“Many couples assume love will take care of itself, but relationships require intentionality,” she explains. “Date nights help partners break away from daily responsibilities and remind each other why they fell in love in the first place.”
When life gets busy, conversations often become about logistics such as paying bills, school runs, or work issues rather than emotional connection.
“I have seen couples who barely talk about anything other than responsibilities. Over time, this creates emotional distance,” Nagasha says.
Henry Busiku and Elizabeth Nampijja, who have been married for 10 years, say prioritising date nights transformed their marriage.
“We were like roommates; always discussing responsibilities but never really spending time together,” Nampijja shares. “Once we started setting aside two nights a month just for us, everything changed. We talk more, laugh more, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company again.”
Finding time
One of the biggest challenges couples face is simply finding the time. With the many commitments, making space for a date night can seem impossible. But marriage counsellor Christopher Kamya insists it is all about priorities.
“If couples can schedule work meetings and school drop-offs, they can schedule time for each other,” he says. “It does not have to be fancy or expensive; what matters most is consistency.”
Even staying in can work wonders. Nagasha suggests home-based date night activities such as cooking a meal together, watching a movie, playing a game or sitting outside and having a deep conversation.
Joan Babirye and David Karasira, together for 15 years, say their best date nights happen at home.
“We put the children to bed early, cook a nice meal, and sit outside talking,” Babirye shares. “It is simple, but it keeps us connected.”
Keeping things exciting
Repetitive date nights can feel like just another routine. So, Nagasha encourages couples to get creative.
“There is nothing wrong with having a favourite restaurant, but trying new things adds excitement. Take a dance class, go on a nature walk, visit a new place, or even try something adventurous such as zip-lining,” she suggests.
Ronald Kimumwe and Gloria Awor, who have been dating for three years, say switching things up has kept their relationship fun.
“At first, we only went for dinners and movies, but it got predictable,” Kimumwe admits. “Now, we take turns planning surprise dates, and it keeps things fresh.”
Budget-friendly date nights
With the rising cost of living, some couples worry about the financial aspect of date nights. But Kamya says great dates do not have to cost much.
“A walk in the park, a homemade meal, or watching the sunset together can be just as meaningful as an expensive dinner,” he says.
Martha Ainomugisha and Robert Turinawe, an engaged couple, initially put date nights on hold due to financial struggles.
“We used to go out a lot, but when money got tight, we stopped,” Ainomugisha shares. “Then we realised we could still have meaningful time together without spending much. Now, we take long walks, listen to music, and have deep conversations, which has made our bong even stronger.”
Consistency
A one-off date night is great, but making it a habit is what truly strengthens relationships.
“Think of date nights as an investment,” Kamya says. “Just like a garden needs regular watering, relationships need regular moments of connection.”
He advises couples to plan their dates and stick to them. “If you wait for the ‘right time,’ it might never happen. Protect that time like any other important commitment.”
The lasting impact
In a world where work, children, and responsibilities demand so much of our attention, date nights serve as a reminder that your relationship matters. Whether it is a simple home-cooked meal or a weekend getaway, setting aside time for each other strengthens emotional bonds, improves communication, and keeps romance alive.
As Elizabeth Nampijja puts it, “Date nights are like a reset button. No matter how busy life gets, they remind us that our relationship is a priority.”
For couples looking to reignite the spark, date nights might just be the simplest yet most powerful way to keep love fresh.
After all, it is not about where you go or what you do; it is about being fully present with the one you love.
RESEARCH
In the 2022 State of Our Unions Survey, spouses who had frequent date nights were significantly more likely to report that divorce was “not at all likely” in their marriage compared to those who do not go on dates or only do so infrequently. Wives and husbands in the frequent date nights group were about 14 percentage points more likely to report that divorce “was not at all likely” in the future. Husbands and wives who had regular date nights reported better communication, more commitment, and greater sexual satisfaction. For example, 68 percent of wives and 67 percent of husbands who had regular date nights were very happy with their sexual relationship, compared to 47 percent of wives and 47 percent of husbands who did not have regular date nights.
