Abstinence and quality time

Cropped portrait of an affectionate young couple taking selfies while sitting on a mountain peakThis article is part of a series called Abstinence and the love languages.

Quality Time isn’t just about being around the other person — it’s about being present to the other person. It’s okay if the activity or event doesn’t go as planned — the point is to appreciate being in his/her presence!

Here are just a few practical suggestions of ways to spend quality time together:

  • Go on a hike
  • Take a cooking class
  • Try that DIY project you’ve been thinking about
  • Go rollerblading
  • Have a picnic
  • Make a bucket list of places to visit throughout your city or state. Scratch them off one by one.
  • Start a hobby together, like geocaching, woodworking, painting miniatures, mountain running, racquetball, writing poetry, collecting board games, etc.
  • Find a book or series of books to read at the same time. Carve out a day of the week to sit down over coffee or beer and discuss what you’ve read so far.
  • Try a date night package
  • Take a moonlit walk (Google can tell you when the next full moon rises and sets for maximum effect)
  • See who can learn a language fastest through an easy app like Duolingo. Use your new vocabulary to communicate when you don’t want the kids to hear.
  • Set up a tent and camp in the backyard
  • Trivia night
  • Attend a sporting event together
  • Make personalized Valentines cards for your kids. You’ll get quality time and they’ll appreciate having a keepsake you both worked on.
  • Go to an arcade
  • Do dishes side by side
  • Scrape together old memories from when you were dating and make a scrapbook
  • Staring contest
  • Plan and execute a prank to play on the kids
  • Go out of your way to participate with your spouse in one of their interests that you don’t have in common. Really try to learn why (s)he appreciates it!
  • Wine and canvas
  • Axe throwing
  • Visit the local art museum (appreciate the real art and don’t be afraid to giggle at the “art”…it deserves it)
  • Go stargazing
  • Get out your favorite instruments and have a jam session (even if it’s really, really bad)
  • Turn on your favorite music and dance in the kitchen
  • Take up a home improvement project
  • Plant a garden
  • Go canoeing

What about the other love languages? Click here.

— Forest Hempen
Marketing and Communications Associate