Adventure Dating: A Key Ingredient to a Strong Marriage

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When we became parents, our lives shifted to revolve around our roles as “mom and dad,” leaving little room for anything else.

By Jordan Smith

Seventeen years ago, I met my husband, and while we clicked over shared interests like music and movies, his hobbies were a whole different world. He loved speedboats, while I preferred leisurely boat rides. He was all about skiing, whereas I sought comfort in blankets and books. He thrived on scuba diving adventures, while I enjoyed calmer swims in the shallows. His fast cars made my heart race, but my idea of speed was merely completing a 5K.

This dynamic began to shift when I visited his family’s lake house just a few months into our relationship. I arrived with my swimsuit and a pile of magazines, ready to soak up sun and sip wine, while he tore around on his watercraft. However, he eventually convinced me to hop on the jet ski with him. Nervous about trying something new, I reluctantly agreed. As we sped across the lake, the thrill of jet skiing quickly overshadowed my sunbathing plans, and I found myself wondering what other experiences I had missed.

That day marked the beginning of my journey into new activities thanks to my husband’s encouragement. Over the next decade, he introduced me to snowboarding, water skiing, and road cycling. However, after we welcomed our children, our adventures dwindled, and our lives centered around parenting. Excursions like jet skiing and snowboarding became scarce, and our brief dinner dates felt inadequate.

Longing for shared adventures, we finally planned a winter trip to Lake Placid, just the two of us. My husband reminisced about the Olympic bobsledding experience he once tried, and on a whim, I decided to join him. As someone who doesn’t typically seek thrills, racing down an Olympic bobsled track felt incredibly daunting.

Upon arriving at the mountain, excitement coursed through me, but as I gazed at the slick track and heard the screams of other riders, I began to doubt my decision. We were shuttled to the top in a rickety van, where we signed a waiver releasing any liability in case of disaster. Meeting the bobsled drivers, I hesitated; I wouldn’t even trust them to drive my Uber, let alone speed down an ice track. My husband reassured me, recalling his own successful run years prior and encouraging me to look at the hopeful faces of the riders ahead.

Soon enough, it was our turn to climb into the bobsled. There was no turning back. The buzzer went off, and we launched down the steep incline. For the first 20 seconds, I enjoyed the ride, but then the g-force hurled us sideways up the track walls. My body felt the pressure as my helmet slammed against the sled. Finally, we came to a halt, and amidst my shock, I heard my husband laughing joyfully behind me. I was silent, but beneath my astonishment lay pride—I had done it!

The adrenaline from that ride carried us through our trip, and we excitedly shared our experience with friends and family. It became a legendary tale we would recount for years to come. My husband continually inspires me to face new challenges.

Since that exhilarating day, we’ve spent time skiing and golfing together, and who knows what wild adventure awaits next? I’m always willing to try anything he suggests, especially since he adamantly refuses to try skydiving—thank you, universe! With him as my best friend, I’m certain we’ll never run out of adventures.

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Summary:

Embracing adventure dating has enriched my marriage by fostering shared experiences and personal growth. From jet skiing to bobsledding, stepping outside our comfort zones has strengthened our bond, turning mundane moments into unforgettable memories. This journey highlights the importance of continually exploring new activities together, ensuring that our relationship remains vibrant and engaging.