24 Dates in 2024 – Date #24
We made it! Ken and I have finished our 24 dates in 2024 adventure. Date #24 has been a standing date for some time. Without much thought, we didn’t even consider it a date until somewhere in the middle of the year when it hit me. I knew I wanted to end the journey here—on our standing date.
I think every couple should have a “standing date.” The time you commit to semi-regularly to ( fill in your blank.) I know some couples have a standing coffee date on Wednesdays in the middle of the week to catch up, and another couple a walk around the block, hand-in-hand date. Our standing date has been close to my heart. I’ll let Ken share his thoughts.
A Word from our Spouse (Ken)
Since this is the last of the “posted” dates for our 24 dates in 2024, I thought this was a good time for me to do a little more than provide a date idea, the occasional captured image, or a slightly amusing quote. Instead, why not give a little copy?
I wrote the last of the “posted” dates earlier because the 24th posted date has been a year-long date with my favorite gym partner. What started as a once-a-week 5:30 am workout before work on Thursday eventually evolved to include the additional “you up for the gym” trip.
I’m a night owl, so waking at 5:10 am to make it to the gym around 5:30 am was not my idea of pleasant. However, that time worked well for Sam, and I wanted to join her fitness journey. To do so, we needed to form a habit.
Habits are formed over time after establishing cues, routines, and rewards. For us, the cue was Thursday morning; the routine was laying out our gym clothes the night before, and the reward was the endorphin rush (feel-good chemicals) created by working out with your forever partner.
After a few weeks, the early morning trips to the gym became less difficult and more welcomed—so much so that we eventually began going on different days and times, including the weekends.
The 2024 Planet Fitness “forever” date with my forever partner has been great. Planet Fitness has not been my favorite of our 24 dates in 2024, but it has been the most rewarding. For my favorite date, check out date #4, with #18 coming in a close second. Date #24 was a solid date, but it would get better ratings if I did not think of a urinal deodorizer each time I saw the purple object below on the counter in the men’s locker room. Seriously, PF!!!!
And leave it to a man to bring a urinal into the mix. I agree; PFit has been the most rewarding date spot for us. Contrary to Ken’s belief, I’m not a morning person either; I am more like a perpetual tired pigeon. But nothing beats waking up with your favorite person, sweating and laughing at 5:30 in the morning.
As the saying goes, all good things must end, and we close 2024 with gratitude and joy over an entire year of dating each other with intention and purpose. We look forward to what’s next.
Speaking of next, Ken and I are leaping into a new Jersey-flavored experience. Our site, www.kenandsam.com, will become a resource site for Jersey dates. Follow along on Instagram @jerseydateswithfriends, where our dates are 100% Jersey—shared with friends or making new friends wherever we go.
It’s not goodbye – It’s see you in Jersey!
Don’t forget to follow @jerseydateswithfriends on IG.
24 Dates in 2024 