85 Months Strong

As you know, if you've been reading here for a while, we purpose to celebrate our marriage on the second day of every month - our monthiversary. Last year it seemed like the second of every month turned into chaos and we had to modify every single celebration we planned. (We actually came to expect chaos on the second day of every month, because it seemed to wait until then to unravel.) Clearly we have no way of knowing if that will happen again this year, but I wanted to at least try to have a special plan for the first monthiversary of 2020.

The best part? It was an at-home date, which allowed us to enjoy a low-key, warm, cozy celebration sans crowds and cold weather. 

I gathered my inspiration for this date from The Dating Divas and their Indoor Picnic at Home date. (I love using their site for inspiration, and much of their content is free, which I love even more! This particular date included free resources, so I was able to add cuteness at no cost. WIN!!!)

I used their digital invitation downloads (there are four) to tell Ryan about the date. I sent him the first one a week before the picnic to tell him to save the date, and then the remaining three went to him two days before, one day before, and the day of the date. I must say - he remained most intrigued leading up to the date! 

Because we also determined that we were going to reenter the land of healthier eating beginning in January, I didn't want to totally derail us immediately. So here was my menu plan:

* On New Year's Eve, I made a big batch of marinara sauce (because I had used up my reserve) so we could have fresh sauce for our pizza-inspired main dish. 

* Our main dish was Pizza Chicken Salad from Dashing Dish. (This recipe isn't for members only, so anyone can access it.) I had grilled the chicken when I was home from work on New Year's Day, so I didn't really have any work to do on date night other than assemble the salads. Well. And send Ryan over to the store for new mixed greens since ours somehow went bad ahead of schedule. #facepalm.

* I wanted to use the cute "You're the greatest thing since sliced bread" printable from the date supply box, but I didn't want to over-carb us, so I made Parmesan-Herb Low Carb Flatbread from Dashing Dish. (That one is a member recipe...I'm so sorry if you can't access it!) I also made that on New Year's Eve, so it was ready to go. I gave Ryan extra marinara for dipping, because he loves it!

* I wanted to use the cute "You make me feel all bubbly!" printable, but we don't drink, and we also didn't need to drink an entire bottle of sparkling grape juice. (We love that stuff, but we will guzzle it right down with all its sugar!) I found a mini-bottle of sparkling grape juice at the Dollar Tree, so I got it instead. Win-win!

* The date also calls for a s'more bar for dessert, but again, I didn't want to go super crazy with an overload of sweets so early in our return to cleaner eating, so I didn't do a full bar. I really wanted to try to make my own graham crackers and marshmallow (because I'm crazy) so I made those things on New Year's Eve, too. I found both recipes on Pinterest. (Funny story: We had a big chocolate bar in our cabinet, leftover from fall s'mores, and I planned to use it for our date, and don't you know that on December 30th, Ryan sat down and ate it! Had to go get a replacement.) The graham crackers turned out GREAT, but the marshmallow was questionable. I couldn't tell if it was the recipe or the cook (or a combination.) Ryan doesn't even really like marshmallows, so he ate his without a marshmallow, but I did try the homemade ones. Meh. Tasted okay, but not worth the work.

* Of course we had coffee, too. And water. We were well-hydrated.

I printed out the conversation questions ahead of time so we could talk through them during our date. And then it was time to set up the picnic!

I made sure I got home before Ryan that evening so I could have it all staged when he arrived. I turned on all the soft lights (and the fireplace) in the living room. I found a yule log channel still in operation to run on the TV, and then I spread out some blankets on the floor. I pulled in pillows from the guest bed, just to make it a little extra fluffy and cozy, and we settled in to enjoy! 

After dinner, we hung out by the multiple versions of fire (ha!) and answered all the conversation questions. It was so relaxing just to sit and talk - we may have dozed off for a quick nap, but don't tell!

Then it was time for coffee and a few rounds of Dutch Blitz!

We decided it was a wonderful celebration. Good food, good talks, good coffee...and we are grateful for all 85 of these months we've been able to share life!

(PS if you want to try the indoor picnic with much less cooking effort, you could very easily order in or do simple, traditional picnic food.)