It’s been a pretty “husband friendly” week here at the Quad City Moms Blog … we heard from Erin Monday about taking the pressure off of our husbands and making expectations clear, then Michelle Tuesday about the lost art of love letters. Maybe Valentine’s Day has truly gotten to all of us! I’m here to share another quick, easy, and fun way to celebrate your spouse.
I recently returned to work following an amazing maternity leave (that’s a whole different blog topic!) While I was on leave, my husband was extremely helpful. He really picked up the slack caused by our growing family and my exhaustion. I wanted to think of ways to show my appreciation. We don’t do gifts for one another, it’s not like he would really love flowers, and I felt like my saying “thank you” just wasn’t enough. Somewhere along the line I came up with the idea to organize a “man dinner” for him.
It seems like I get the opportunity to enjoy girls’ nights out (like the upcoming Oscars party! Have you signed up?) or take in some Holy Yoga, but Conrad doesn’t always take the opportunity to disappear for a few hours of “respite.” So I forced the opportunity. I got in touch with a few of his friends, lined up a time and a place, and arranged for one of them to show up at our house to pick him up. A creature of habit, I knew Conrad would get home from work, change into sweatpants (but leave his button-up shirt on – this cracks me up), and start in on dinner. After he was downstairs, I snuck up and laid out his jeans with a thank you note and Old Chicago gift card peeking out of the pocket. 
And when the front door opened and our friend walked in and greeted Conrad with “put your pants on, we’re going to dinner,” the look on his face was priceless. He said, “did you know about this?” and I said, “I planned this.”
I specifically picked a time that would get him out of dinner AND bedtime routine to maximize the “get out of the house” value. And he was very grateful. I asked for his comments to add to this post and he reminded me that blogging isn’t really his “thing” 
But he did say that he was very surprised and he thinks man dinner is important. Just as we, as moms, need to get out and connect with other moms, our husbands need time to get out, too.
I’m sure you all have great ideas on ways to say “thank you” also. What have you done to show your husband you appreciate all he does for your family?
Thanks Abbie for the reminder. My husband goes out occasionally for a drink after work with coworkers, but I don’t think of him having a whole night for dad’s night out. I will have to work on that. Thanks for the tip!
I’m totally going to do this for matt. Great idea! PS he also goes straight upstairs to his sweatpants, and sometimes leaves his work shirt on with them. Hilarious.
I love this idea!! I thought you were going to say something about cooking his favorite meal but this is even better!
Love how surprised he was too. That’s cute. =)
I love this Abbie! What an awesome gesture I agree, it’s important for dads to get out and connect too. My husband has a guy night about once a month. Some of his neighborhood buddies come over, They watch a movie and relax. It’s nice because no one has to drive and it’s super casual. Everyone needs some “me” time kid-free!