Downright Dreamy Date Night

Being from a small town, date night options are sometimes limited. But let me give you the most obvious, and in my opinion, best dates you can go on when you're in a rural area.

I call this the Deluxe Star-Gazing Date Night Plan. Customize to your liking!

Before the date:

Make sure the weather in your area is going to be warm enough that evening that you and your date will be comfortable in your flannels, but cool enough that you might need to bring a blanket along to snuggle under. Bonus points if you track when the sun sets and base the time of your date off of that!

You don't necessarily need a truck, but trucks work best for this date. Pack previously mentioned blanket to snuggle under, and some fluffy padding to put down in the truck bed for comfortable sitting. Maybe even some pillows. Prep a light picnic meal and, this might be the most important part, your date's favorite wine- or other kind of drink.

Plan your rustic route. Make sure you're at least 20- 30 miles away from any form of artificial light. Also make sure your date is comfortable with this. If the two of you are pretty well acquainted and trust/feel safe with each other, then turning this into a spontaneous date night is always a fun option!

Prepare a playlist that lasts a few hours and sets the mood from casual dining to romantic nuance. If you're a natural DJ, this will be fun and easy for you! If you're not, there are lots of playlist options on all the music apps.

Bonus tip- you won’t need candles for romantic lighting, that’ll be accounted for in the sunset and the enchanting constellations.

Date time!

Put on your favorite tunes while driving to the middle of nowhere. You might find interesting conversation or a crazy good karaoke session break out!

Unpack the blankets and set up your truck bed picnic and star gazing set-up. You might need some bug spray depending on where you are! Help your date into the truck bed, because manners.

Pour a nice glass of Merlot for your date (because you're driving). Bonus points for bringing yummy chocolate or dessert to enjoy with it!

Keep the tunes playing in the cab of the truck while you eat and chat. This is important: no phones. You'll be ok! Your followers will be ok! You can share this awesome date with them after it happens. Share this moment with your date. It will be something for just the two of you, and that's what makes it so special.

As the sun sets and the wine flows and the conversation starts to wane with the sun, lean into the comfortable silence. Enjoy each other's presence. Maybe hold hands or start to dance because your playlist is perfect. Also- you don't need to "know" how to dance, just start swaying and then do what feels right! Your date will appreciate your moves either way if they're really into your quirks, which they should be, because you're awesome.

After a few songs the sun should be settled behind the horizon, and twinkling stars will start peeking out of the darkness. Lay in the bed of the truck and watch the sky transform together. Maybe dance a few more times in front of the headlights. Pour another glass of Merlot for your date.

End of the date:

Make your way back into your busy realities, but treasure the time you just spent together.

Sometimes all it takes to connect, or reconnect, is a downright dreamy date night.