Those of us without kids have the freedom to be spontaneous at a moment’s notice! We can slip away for an evening, a weekend, or longer without worrying about finding a babysitter. Extra funds are available that aren’t diverted into child care, ballet lessons, or soccer fundraisers.

So carpe diem! Plan something fun for you and your spouse to do!

A mystery trip is always a good time. Here’s something I planned for Chris, at a time when he really needed it.

A few years back, my husband was having a really stressful period at work. He wasn’t enjoying much of anything, so I decided to plan a surprise overnight trip to help him refocus on our relationship and have a little fun!

About two weeks in advance, I told him I was planning a mystery trip for us. I did this to build his anticipation, but also so he wouldn’t plan to do something else at the same time. I also let him pack his own things, telling him what kinds of attire he would need.

As an alternative, you could completely surprise your significant other by picking them up at work on Friday afternoon with bags already packed!

I worked out every detail of the trip. I booked a room at a quaint country inn with a “romance package” that included dinner, one night’s stay, shopping vouchers, and champagne and chocolates in our room.

I scoped out nearby attractions and planned to stop at a museum on our way there, and a wild animal park on our way back. I gathered up all the maps, directions, and information I needed.

We got up early on a Saturday morning and started out. I let Chris drive so I could consult my maps and directions without tipping him off about where we were going. It was weird for him to “just drive,” and he kept trying to guess where we were going!

I kept everything a secret until we were turning into the parking lot of the place we were visiting. When we got back into the car, he didn’t have a clue where the next destination would be!

We had a wonderful time on our mystery trip, and I hope we can do it again someday.

Fortunately I’m not married to a guy who likes to snoop. He preferred to let the trip unfold as I had planned it. He knew I had a folder of information, and I made no attempt to hide it because I knew he didn’t want to ruin the surprise. If you are married to a snooper, you’ll have to try extra hard to keep your plans under lock and key!!

If you have an idea for a wonderful child free date, please contact me. I might use your idea in a future article!