combating the attack on marriage: one date night at a time

my date night attire 

pants: Gap, clearance // shirt: Target, clearance // heels: Kohl's, clearance [find them here] // clutch: Target, gift // necklace: Caroline G., free from a Facebook offer

{p.s. use code BLOGS10 to get 10% off your purchase from Kohl's}

once in a blue moon we finally get to go on a date. 

and i get to dress up pretty and wear heels and not have to carry around a huge diaper bag. 

and then, almost every time without fail, we get in some ridiculous argument as we're leaving.

it's like all these outside forces are trying to keep us from taking the time to be together. 

actually, i know there are forces out there trying to keep us from strengthening our relationship. 

there are many things out there that are trying to bring down families. 

it can be "simple" as people's priorities focused on work or school or anything outside their family so they choose not to spend time with each other and they grow apart. 

or it can be financial struggles that lead to contention in marriage.

or it can be more harmful like addictions, infidelity, or abuse. 

every day we hear of a new battle in the war on families. 

every.day. 

as Elder Perry said in General Conference this weekend, 

"The strengthening of families is deteriorating at an alarming rate." 

this was a common theme this weekend, that families are under attack. 

but there are ways to combat it. 

through hard work, love, and dedication we can rise above the things the world throws at us. 

"The best marriage partners regard their marriages as priceless." - Elder Clayton

we can make time for one another, like going on date nights even just for an hour. 

we can make it a priority to communicate often with one another. 

we can include the Lord in our relationship and follow His example.

we can put each other's feelings and needs above our own. 

we can choose to get rid of anything that will distract us from our family or tempt us. 

we can make ourselves better people which will in turn make us want to better our relationship. 

i know we still have many years ahead of us that i'm sure will see their share of struggles. 

but i also know that if we can make the commitment now to continue to work on our relationship and develop good habits, we can face those battles with confidence and come out stronger than ever.