Take the January Date Night Challenge

As a mother of five, Issaquah resident Janelle Barquist knows how difficult it can be to get time to yourself, let alone plan a date night in January. The darkest – and arguably most gloomy month of the year – January doesn’t inspire romance. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.

In response to the January doldrums, Barquist founded January Date Nights – a movement to encourage couples to spend time together. The concept is to encourage health and growth in relationships at a time of year when other pressures tend to overshadow couples time.

“The inspiration was driven by the concept of going on one date a week for the month of January,” explains Barquist. “It’s a great way to start off the New Year. My husband and I have been married 14 years and have five kids, and we began this journey when we were in the trenches of parenthood finding little, if any, time for each other.”

Unlike most challenges that involve scaling mountains or running marathons, the January Date Night Challenge encourages couples to put their relationship back at the top of their priority list. The challenge is to go on one date per week in January. To exchange date night ideas, Barquist founded the January Date Nights Facebook Group, where she shares experiences from the challenge, plus lots of freebies and giveaways.

Whether you’re paying the holiday bills, getting the kids back into a school routine or trying a new diet, there’s a lot to distract couples from each other during winter months. Barquist encourages everyone to plan time together with their significant other. It doesn’t have to be dinner and a movie (although that would be perfect). Going out for ice cream, taking a fitness class, playing a board game, going on a walk, or enjoying Happy Hour at a local restaurant are all fun and affordable date nights.

“Beyond January Date Nights, my hope is that people continue to make time for their relationships throughout the year,” concluded Barquist.

Short on inspiration? Here are five fun ways to make it a date this January in Issaquah:

• Savor happy hour seven days a week at Agave Cocina & Tequilas ($2 street tacos), Big Fish Grill ($4 bowl of clam chowder) and The RAM (where you’ll receive a BOGO – buy one get one – free burger when you sign up for their MVP Club).
• Try a free workout at 9Round or Orangetheory Fitness and challenge yourselves to go back a second time.
• Try before you buy at BevMo’s complimentary wine and beer tastings. Sip featured wines and beers at no charge from 4 to 7 pm every Friday night.
• Pamper yourselves at Issaquah Highlands Nails with a couples pedicure. Winter weather takes a toll on skin, especially feet. Sit back and relax while the nail technicians revitalize your tootsies (nail polish optional).
• Have your cupcake and eat it too: Pay a visit to PinkaBella Cupcakes and choose your favorite flavors from more than a dozen delicious recipes, including red velvet and coconut. No sharing required.

Photo credit: Shubha Tirumale Photography LLC. Originally published on GrandRidgePlaza.com.