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Life is loud. Life is busy. Life is… a lot.
Three kids, full-time jobs, another move every 2–3 years, no consistent village, and a to-do list that never ends.
And yet, we still date each other. Because in the middle of all the chaos, we know that “us” matters too.
Love That Holds It All Together
We’ve been married since 2011. In that time, we’ve become parents of three amazing kids, navigated military life with constant relocations, and survived sleepless nights, solo parenting, deployment/TDY stress, and more laundry than any one family should ever have.
Even on the days when I’m running full speed organizing, cleaning, managing appointments, thinking three days ahead, he finds time for us.
My husband is the sweet one. The romantic. The thoughtful one who plans a quick lunch date, sends a kind text, or suggests a movie night even if we’re half asleep by the end of it.
He doesn’t let the chaos steal our connection and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
Making Time When There Isn’t Any
There’s never really “extra” time.
We don’t have a regular babysitter or family nearby most of the time. Until now. We parent in shifts. But we’ve learned to make it work, and make it meaningful.
How we date each other in the chaos:
- Turn errands into mini dates
- Try new coffee shops which is our new shared love language
- Explore new food spots (Good BBQ, Mexican food + margaritas = our favorites)
- Connect in the in-between: car rides, folding laundry, late-night talks
- Cozy up after bedtime with a movie or show
- Cherish real date nights when family visits
When the Mental Load is Heavy
Parenting an ADHD and ODD child is not for the faint of heart. There are days when I’m drained, overstimulated, and exhausted.
But that’s when our partnership matters most. We lean in. We acknowledge the hard. We laugh when we can. And we try again tomorrow.
Love That Lasts
Marriage is about choosing each other again and again through every move, diagnosis, long week, and season of change.
Dating your partner when life is full doesn’t have to be elaborate. It just has to be intentional.
If you’re in the thick of it, I see you. You’re not alone, and making space for your partner, even in small ways, can make all the difference.
💬 Let’s Connect
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FAQ: Love in the Middle of Chaos
How can I date my partner when we have no time?
Turn small moments into connection points like coffee stops, shared errands, late-night shows, or car talks. It doesn’t have to be big to matter.
What are good date ideas for busy parents?
Try mini lunch dates, cozy movie nights after bedtime, new coffee shops, or exploring local food spots. Focus on small, intentional moments.
How do you stay connected when parenting is overwhelming?
We check in, laugh when we can, lean on teamwork, and give each other grace. Connection often happens in the little, everyday moments.