Balancing Couple Time with Family Obligations: Lessons from Our Marriage

How Often Did We Go Out as a Couple Post Marriage?

We, my wife and I, have been married for seven years now. In the first few months, life was bustling with wedding preparations and honeymoon plans. However, as time passed, we realized that our expectations for post-marriage life didn't quite match what reality was providing.

After our honeymoon was postponed due to our respective professional commitments, we found ourselves growing apart in terms of shared experiences.
The lack of time spent bonding as a couple led us to rethink our priorities, especially when it came to fun and leisure activities.

Movie Dates and Outings

Going to the movies used to be one of the highlights of our pre-marital life. However, in the early years of our marriage, we rarely made it to the cinema. The reason? Not much of what was being shown was of interest to us. This made outings more challenging for us, as we wanted to do things together but couldn't muster interest in many of the available options.

On the other hand, dining out was much more frequent. We would go out for meals 5-7 times a week, often to catch up with friends or simply enjoy a nice dinner. This regularity helped us maintain a closer bond with our friends and find new ways to spend time together.

Sibling Dynamics and Family Outings

Sibling relationships often play a significant role in the dynamics of a newly formed family. In our case, my husband's sister was a point of concern from the start. He was worried about her, possibly due to her divorce and single status. Over time, I understood his desire to keep her involved, which led to more family outings.

We would frequently plan outings or movie dates involving all three of us. However, he hesitated when it came to couple's trips, perhaps due to his sister's feelings. From this point on, we began prioritizing family trips over couple's outings. When my sister-in-law got married, we supported her choice for solo adventures, which brought a sense of envy. But, we also realized the importance of her newfound independence and chose to respect her decisions.

Evolution of Family Life Post Children

Life took another turn with the arrival of our seven-month-old son. Now, our major focus is on becoming the best parents we can be. Balancing work, family, and personal time has become even more challenging, but it is incredibly rewarding. We miss the couple-specific moments, but we understand that our current priorities are shaping our present and future.

Looking ahead, we hope to resume family trips once the current health situation improves. The idea of a family outing with both our kids and in-laws brings a mix of joy and anticipation. Our journey has taught us the importance of prioritizing meaningful interactions and finding joy in the little things.