Feeling underappreciated? Feeling unseen? Feeling like you are just a bank account or a glorified maid/nanny? You are not alone. One in three married people over 45 says they feel lonely in their relationship. Why? It’s not just one thing but a combination over time. Contributing potential factors include parenting overload, unresolved conflict, distractions from technology, unmet emotional needs, falling into a routine, lack of emotional connection, and lack of quality time together. The question is, can it be saved? The quick answer, yes! Will it be easy? No. You will need to undo bad habits and stop placing your relationship on the back burner; it needs to be the priority. And it starts with this one thing!
Read moreTag: Toledo date night ideas
10 Tips to Keep the Romance Alive While Raising Kids (Bonus: 20 Date Night Destinations in Toledo)
Uninterrupted dinners for two, energy to stay out past 2am, shaving above the knee, wearing high heels & lipstick, allowing intimacy to present itself anytime & anywhere in the house, those were the days! Fast forward a few kids later, and you haven’t had a hot meal in years, your energy is zapped before 2pm, shaving has become a past luxury, flats & yoga pants are where it is at, and intimacy, what’s that!? Our obligations & responsibilities have increased exponentially since kids entered the picture, and it is so hard to find the time and energy to make any magic happen, ANY!! So here are 10 quick, minimal energy, effort, or time tips to help you rekindle that romance while raising kids!
STOMP in Toledo this Weekend!
STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages and is in TOLEDO this weekend!!!
Read more30 Date Night Destinations in Toledo
Date Night!! The two words every couple looks forward to, especially those with kids. It means a night away from the kiddos, to reconnect with your spouse, to remember why you fell in love in the first place. It is easy to get caught up in the responsibilities of adulthood & parenthood. That is why it is so important that you step away from it all for a few hours and have some fun, remember fun, that thing you did before you had a job, mortgage, kids, you know, before you had major responsibilities!?
ANNOUNCING #HAM4HAM LOTTERY IN TOLEDO 40 TICKETS FOR EVERY PERFORMANCE $10 EACH
Producer Jeffrey Seller and The American Theatre Guild announce a digital lottery for HAMILTON tickets will begin in conjunction with the show’s first performance (Aug. 23) in Toledo at the Stranahan Theater. A limited number of tickets will be available for every performance for $10 each. The lottery will first open at 10:00 AM Friday, Aug. 12, and will close at 12:00 PM Thursday, Aug. 18 for tickets to performances Aug. 23 – 28. Subsequent digital lotteries will begin each Friday and close the following Thursday for the upcoming week’s performances.
HOW TO ENTER…
Read moreSeptember’s 8 Free Date Night Ideas in Toledo
Back to school supplies, clothes, extracurricular fees, impromptu appliance purchase, etc. which leaves the Date Night fund at, zero! September is one of the most stressful months of the year. Trying to get the entire family back into the swing of things is exhausting & can be strenuous on your relationship. You need a date night more than ever but with $0 in the date night fund makes it tricky! Wouldn’t it be nice if you could spice things up with a Concert by Havana’s top musicians, stargaze at an observatory, see the Toledo Symphony in Concert, allow your inner foodie to come out & play with a cooking instruction class? Guess what? You can do all these & more!

Here’s September’s 8 Free Date Night Ideas in Toledo…

Friday Night Concert featuring ORQUESTA AKOKÁN-A Big Band collection of Havana’s top musicians
When: Friday Sept. 14th 5:30-10pm
Where: Promenade Park downtown
Cost: Free (meter parking is free on the weekends)
Website: http://momentumtoledo.org/
Assembled and led by Cuban vocalist José “Pepito” Gómez, Daptone recording artists Orquesta Akokán is a big band collective of the finest Cuban musicians, both young and old. Their self-titled debut release is on one of the most critically acclaimed release of 2018. Orquesta Akokán was specifically chosen for this concert to continue the evolving trajectory forward of Momentum to bring original diverse music to our community. The concert will be free for the community.

Toledo Symphony Momentum Concert with Tan Dun
When: Friday, September 15th @ 6:30pm
Where: Promenade Park downtown
Cost: Free (meter parking is free on the weekends)
Website: http://momentumtoledo.org/
Grammy Award winning Chinese composer Tan Dun, best known for his music for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and his film scores for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Hero”, has created a visually and sonically spectacular concert experience unlike any other. A trio of sensational percussionists slap, beat, cup and wield water in transparent bowls and specially-crafted instruments to create provocative, amazingly inventive soundscapes.

Flower power! Community, at TMA
Community, the latest installation at the Toledo Museum of Art is a must-see! As you enter the installation a tidal wave of calm greets you while the cascading beauty & fragrance envelops you.
Best part, free admission Thursdays!
When: Thursdays 5-9pm
Where:Toledo Museum of Art
Cost: Free only on Thursdays from 5-9pm
Website: https://www.toledomuseum.org/art/exhibitions
How it works…claim your free timed ticket at the information desk upon arrival. Each ticket allows a 20 minute window to view the exhibit. Arrive early if possible & if you can not plan on touring the museum until you assigned time.

Latino Quesadilla! Food Demonstration
Enjoy a Hispanic Heritage Month Cooking Program! Sofia Quintero Arts and Cultural Center demonstrates how to cook up a Latino quesadilla using ingredients not normally found in a traditional quesadilla. This program is being offered at 3 different dates/times…
When: Saturday, September 08: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Where: Kent Library (Meeting Room A)
Cost: Free
Website: http://events.toledolibrary.org/event/853093
When: Saturday, September 15: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Where: King Road Library (Meeting Room A & B)
Cost: Free
Website:http://events.toledolibrary.org/event/856291
When: Saturday, September 22: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Heatherdowns Library (Meeting Room A & B)
Cost:Free
Website: http://events.toledolibrary.org/event/780661
Nature at Night!!
Where: Secor Metropark 10000 West Central Avenue Berkey, OH, 43504 (Meet at NCNP parking lot)
When:Friday September 28th 9:30-10:30pm
Cost: Free, but need to register (click on link to register)
Walk in the park after dark and discover the wonders of the night at a time when parks are normally closed. Dress accordingly for the weather and let’s get outside!

Black Holes (August 31st-October 13th)
Where: BGSU Planetarium 112 Physical Sciences Lab Bld, Bowling Green, OH 43403
When: Friday @ 8pm, Saturday @ 2pm, & Sunday @ 7:30pm
Website: https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/physics-and-astronomy/bgsu-planetarium.html
Cost: $1 donation is suggested
Program features a star talk showing the current evening sky followed by a multimedia planetarium show. Weekend programs are followed by stargazing at the Observatory on the roof, weather permitting.

Take a tech class/session together!!
This one looked good for parents…but there are many others to choose from, see website.
Basics-Parental Visibility
Where: Apple Store Franklin Park 5001 Monroe Street Toledo, OH 43623
When: Offered throughout the month click on website
Website: https://www.apple.com/today/store/franklinparkmall/
Parents are invited to this 60-minute session to learn the features of iOS that help them manage what their kids see and do with their devices. You’ll get an overview of Family Sharing, parental controls, and more to help make sure children use their devices in the right ways and for the right reasons.

Make a S’mores Station
Where: Home Depot (click on link to register at your store)
When: Thursday September 20th 6:30-8:30pm
Indulge in a rustic tabletop s’mores station ideal for backyard parties, indoor gatherings, family nights or any reason to savor the traditional campfire dessert. In this workshop, our skilled Store Associate will show you how to measure, mark, cut, stain and assemble a station with dividers to display your s’moregasbord of ingredients and roast your marshmallows above food-safe Sterno® flames. In addition, our Store Associate will demonstrate safe practices in using common project power tools and can help you shop for everything you need to create your own project at home. The Home Depot Workshops are designed to provide a mix of associate-led instruction, demonstration, and some hands-on learning. Materials can be purchased to make your own project. For more information, contact your local Home Depot store.
Need a sitter?
Tag a friend in this post & tell them which one you are interested in…ask them which one they are interested in and then you each take a turn watching the other’s children.






