Adventures for Two: Rediscovering Friendship in Marriage

*By Don Owens & Danae Owens

"How to Build an Adventurous Family"®

https://www.howtobuildanadventurousfamily.com

There’s a kind of romance that burns slow and steady—not the flicker of candlelight or the crescendo of violins, but the quiet warmth of a campfire that’s been tended over time. It’s not flashy, but it’s faithful. And the best marriages—like the best friendships—aren’t born in spas or staged dinners. They are forged, again and again, through time, intention, and shared stories.

We often search for greatness in faraway places, overlooking the noblest task just beside us: to grow closer to our spouse who chose to walk through life with us. Marriage, at its best, is a covenant friendship—held together not by obligation, but by shared adventure.

So what if—once a month—we planned something not because it was practical, but because it drew us closer? What if we risked a little foolishness for the sake of closeness? Here are twelve ideas—one for each month—to rekindle connection and remind each other why we said “yes” in the first place.

1. January: The Night Walk

Bundle up. Find the quietest street in your town. Walk without phones. Let your breath and footsteps fall into rhythm. Talk about dreams, not tasks.

2. February: Cook Together, Poorly

Pick a dish neither of you has ever attempted. Make a mess. Burn the bread. Laugh. The kitchen isn’t for perfection—it’s for play.

3. March: Get Lost on Purpose

Drive an hour in a direction neither of you usually go. Turn off GPS. Find a diner, a bookstore, or an old church. Let serendipity lead.

4. April: Plant Something

A tomato vine. A tree. A tiny herb garden on the windowsill. The point isn’t produce—it’s nurturing something together.

5. May: Do Each Other’s Hobby

She joins you for a morning on the golf course. You accompany her to a painting class. It’s not about skill—it’s about seeing each other with new eyes.

6. June: Unplugged Picnic

Leave the phones. Pack something simple. Spread a blanket under a tree or by a stream. Listen to the world. And to each other.

7. July: Attend Something You’d Normally Skip

A jazz festival. A minor league baseball game. A Shakespeare play in the park. Share the unfamiliar. Make it yours.

8. August: Take a Mini-Retreat

Even one night at a nearby inn, cabin, or Airbnb can reset rhythms. No chores, no kids, no noise. Just time.

9. September: Write Letters to Each Other

Not emails. Not texts. Real letters. Share something you haven’t said aloud in years. Then read them in each other’s presence.

10. October: Try a Fright Together

A haunted house. A ghost tour. A scary movie. Let adrenaline remind you that you’re alive—and not alone.

11. November: Serve Someone Else

Find a need in your town and meet it together. Deliver meals, rake leaves, or visit someone lonely. Shared generosity knits hearts.

12. December: Revisit Your First Date

Wear something similar. Eat at the same place, if it still exists. Retrace the steps—not just physically, but emotionally.

It’s in the quiet spaces—the monthly pause, the shared adventure, the intentional joy—that friendship deepens, and love matures.

The best friendships aren’t found. They’re built. One adventure at a time.

—

Inspired by Ancient Friendship for Modern Men