One of my non-negotiables each week is date night.

A little history lesson first.  When I used to hear that term it drove me up a wall.  Not sure if it sounded cheesy or what, but that two-word phrase did not endear me.

Now, I treasure.  It’s not the term, it’s the person I get to spend that date night with.

It’s about valuing and holding fast to a regular appointment.  I try to be intentional with God in regular time.  Same with guys I disciple.

Has to be the same with Kara, correct?  It’s must-do (NBC coined “must-see” … I’ll coin this).

There is only one non-negotiable for our date nights: dinner.

I get to eat out a good deal, based on my work, and Kara staying home, makes that valuable to her. Plus, I never complain about another meal at Cafe Paradiso, Season’s, Smokey Bones, O’Charley’s, the list goes on.

Many times we do shopping that usually would bring to the destination(s), but date night brings fun for the two of us, when it’s just that – just the two of us.

Often, we end up at coffee shop and read or Barnes & Noble.

December has been unique in that we are doing a movie every date night this holiday month.  First was The Blind Side, then Brothers, next is Invictus.

Regardless, just the weekly catch up and being together is special.  And non-negotiable.