Date Days, Laughter & Acting Like Grown-Up Kids (Who Still Like to Play)

You might’ve noticed that the “Badass Affirmations” cards have disappeared from the blogs... That’s because, honestly, a lot of them started to say the same thing. Just slightly different ways to remind me I’m a badass (thanks, but message received).

So I’m taking a little break and writing about my real life for a bit. Maybe a card or two will find its way back in… time will tell.

Now, back to regularly scheduled programming...

If you know Zach & I, you know we’re always busy (peep my previous blogs). Work events, family dinners, friend gatherings, someone’s baby shower, someone else’s weekend cookout. It feels like we blink and suddenly it’s Monday again.

But even in all the chaos, something we always try to carve out time for are our Zach and Catie Days.

What are Zach and Catie Days? Think of them as date days. Intentional little pockets of time where we hit pause on everything else and just focus on each other. No work emails, no running errands, no folding laundry (although that might still be waiting when we get back). In the summer, it’s even harder to fit them in. There’s always something on the calendar. But that’s exactly why we try to sneak them in when we can. They’re not always fancy or expensive, but they’re always about us.

What do we usually do? We like to try a new restaurant, bar, or brewery. We pretend we’re tourists in our own city and explore new neighborhoods, chat with locals, and try random things just because they sound fun (no, I haven't quite convinced Zach to do a pottery class...yet).

The best part of these date days? We talk. Like, really talk. Not about sports or the random pop news. We check in on our goals, our mental health, our finances, our plans for future family life, the kitchen remodel that lives rent-free in my brain, our careers, and everything in between.

It’s easy to assume you're on the same page just because you share a home, but being roommates is not the same as being fully connected.

And guess what? Science agrees. Research shows that regular date days or nights can lead to stronger marriages, better communication, and deeper emotional bonds. Not every one of our dates is filled with life planning. Sometimes it’s just pizza, a cold drink, and people-watching from a patio. But there is always laughter.

Because like I told Zach the other day, “If I can’t laugh at myself, what kind of life am I even living?”

Laughter isn’t just fun. It’s medicine. It boosts immunity, lowers stress, helps with heart health, releases endorphins, and even helps with anxiety and depression. It makes hard moments easier and good moments even better.

And the benefits don’t stop there. Laughter helps us feel more connected. It creates inside jokes, shared glances across a crowded room, and little moments that become core memories. It makes relationships stronger without needing a single serious conversation.

And while we’re on the topic, let me say this loud for the adults in the back.

It is okay to play.

It is okay to act young, feel silly, and do things just because they make you laugh. Play isn’t just for kids. Adults need it too. It helps reduce stress, spark creativity, boost your mood, and improve your relationships. Whether it’s dancing in the kitchen, trying something new, or just being goofy for the fun of it, play matters.

So here’s your sign to plan your version of a Zach and Catie Day. Take time to check in with your person. Laugh more. Play more. Connect with intention.

And if your date includes awkward parallel parking in front of a patio full of people, just laugh it off. It’s good for your health.

Connecting with intention, laughing with purpose, and loving out loud,

-CC