Focusing on romance and a close connection with your partner is essential during fertility treatments, a time when many couples experience significant strain on the relationship. Depending on where you’re at in your body, mind, or spirit, the idea of date night with your valentine can strike different chords.

Honor Where You’re At This Valentine’s Day

So, this year, while sharing date night ideas with your Valentine, we want to emphasize dates that correspond with what you and your relationship need right now.

Honor where you’re at, and let the romance and connection (or reconnection) flow from there.

Valentine’s Date Nights When You Can’t Face the World

Does the thought of going out make you cringe? That’s understandable. Taking care of your emotional well-being is essential right now, which means not forcing or faking things.

Here are Valentine’s ideas for staying in:

• Have a game night with board games or cards.
• Throw a two-person dance party using a playlist of your collective favorite dance music (with promises not to complain or roll your eyes if theirs don’t align with yours).
• Build a fort and “camp out” in the living room (there’s nothing like roasting smores by candlelight…)
• Invite close friends over for a potluck dinner and game or movie night.
• Order in, eat dinner, and swap foot or neck/shoulder massages.
• Have a date night cooking class together, and then enjoy the fruits of your collaborative labors.

By intentionally creating a theme or plan for the evening it makes staying home better than the average night while still allowing you a more private and introverted alternative to going out.

Atypical date nights around KC

If you’re up for the crowds, you can always book a reservation at a favorite KC restaurant, but there are all kinds of alternative things to try in and around Kansas City.

• Go to a comedy club and laugh together. Laughter is a fantastic way to release stress and boost endorphins. Why not head to a KC comedy club, like The Comedy Club of KC, Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant, or The Kick Comedy Theater?
  
  
• Climb trees at one of your favorite KC parks with Trees Company. In addition to being good for your body, climbing trees is fun, gets you back in touch with your inner child, and provides a new perspective on the world. Plus, they provide safety harnesses that ensure your safe and controlled return to the ground.
  
  
• Inspire your inner creativity at the Belger Art Center. In addition to seeing live demos of local artists (painting, glass blowing, ceramics, etc.), they also offer date night classes where you can create art together.

Go big and do it up around town

Did you just find out your IVF cycle was a success? Or, are you ready to shake off the mopey haze that’s taken over during fertility treatments? Kansas City is a great place to go big and enjoy a swanky night on the town.

• France is renowned for its romantic and sensual culture. If you can’t make it to Paris, book a reservation at Le Fou Frog. You can’t help but feel the romance in their intimate bistro atmosphere. We appreciate that in addition to artisanal cocktails, they also offer a mocktail menu perfect when you’re TTC. And, of course, their exquisite French food is considered some of the best in the city,
  
  
• Head to the Green Lady Lounge for some original live jazz (365 days a year!) and a timeless atmosphere. The Green Lady Lounge is TV-free, allowing you to focus on great music and conversation. Regulars love how the intimate ambiance allows you to get lost in time, so you truly feel like you’ve escaped from the real world for a bit.
  
  
• Take a dance class and then continue dancing at The Ballroom KC. In addition to their regularly scheduled dance classes (beginners and “non-dancers” always welcome!), The Ballroom KC hosts a social dance night every Friday. Take the open class from 7:30, where you can learn basic steps. Then, from 8:30 on, you can join other dancers and the public for a night of “real” dancing.

Plan a Valentine’s Day That Honors Your Love & Connection

Calendared holidays aren’t always aligned with how we feel in our personal or romantic lives. But Valentine’s Day is a reminder that keeping romance alive is essential for a healthy partnership. The team at Reproductive Resource Center (RRC) hopes these date night ideas for you and your Valentine will provide options that meet you where you’re at.

Do you need support on your fertility journey? Schedule an appointment with RRC.