Butterflies

Brian and I have been dating now for 2 1/2 years. With that comes being extremely comfortable with each other, and extremely comfortable with routine. We have got use to doing the same thing night after night, weekend after weekend. Lately I got to thinking that everything seemed very routine, including my feelings for him. I found myself having to rack my brain to remember the last time I felt the so called "butterflies" when I was with him. It was nothing I was worried about, but something I figured comes with being together for so long. But that raised another question in my mind...Why do the butterflies have to go away?

Nothing is better than your first few dates with a new person. You are ner-vited (nervous and excited) waiting for him to pick you up for the first date. You wonder "when will he hold my hand"? Your belly flips during your first kiss and you can't wait to call your best friend to tell her the good news. All of these different feelings make us crave the butterflies when they are not there. But why when we have the opportunity to have them everyday do they seem to fade away? It is not that you don't have feelings for the person, but I think its more of a routine each and every day. You see each other and hug or kiss hello. You hold hands in the car, in the store, or watching a movie. You cuddle and talk about everything. And then you hug and kiss goodnight. Your emotions stay even, neutral, and routine...just like your every day life. 

As I thought about this the past week, I was reminded of something President Hinckley once said. When asked why his marriage survived for all those years, the advice he gave was to continually court your mate like you did before you were married. Go out on dates, surprise her with gifts, flowers, or her favorite meal. We are given this advice, but with the comfort of relationships, we seem to let those courting rituals fade away, along with the butterflies. Well after tonight, I am a believer of President Hinckley's advice. Brian and I decided after 4 months of staying home on the weekends, ordering pizza, Cafe Rio, or Chinese, and watching football...it was time to get out. Yes you guessed it, we went out on a date! 

We spent the first part of the night at Zoo-lights. Walking around, I seemed to notice we were not the only ones there on a date. Couple after couple passed by, some holding hands, some grinning from ear to ear, some obviously ner-vited to be with a possible future mate. I laughed inside wondering if Brian and I ever looked like that. After, we went to Market Street Grill for a nice, sit down dinner. We literally could not remember the last time we went out to a sit down dinner alone. We enjoyed an AMAZING steak dinner and an even more amazing conversation. I again looked around and saw dozens of couples out doing the same thing. Some out for the first time, and some obviously out for the 1000 time. But for the first time in a long time, it felt like WE were dating. Driving home, I couldn't help but smile because something had come back, almost like brand new. Yep, the butterflies. Just like the first date, roughly 880 days later, I was twitterpated with the man that sat next to me in the car. We ended the night watching "The Holiday Inn" (one of Brian's favorite Christmas movies) and munching on the perfect piece of our to-go chocolate cake. A quick little dance in the street (yes Brian can dance), and a kiss goodnight, and our date night was over.

So now I sit here, hours after saying goodnight, and I am still smiling. I guess, once again, Pres. Hinckley is right. I am a true believer that marriage or relationships in general, should never become routine. They are the most rewarding part of our lives here on earth, and we should treat them just like that. Here I am, about to celebrate my 3rd Christmas with Brian, and I am rejuvenated with excitement. I can't wait to see him again tomorrow, can't wait to kiss him hello, give him a hug, and hold his hand as we walk down the street. The butterflies are back, and I hope this time, we find a way to let them stick around for a long time to come. Love you babe!!!