I do like to read middle grade and young reader books which I talk about a bit more here but now I also keep my eye on the children's section and even the adult stacks with a mind to a dream: of sitting by the bedside of a happy child as I read from a book I love and they are coming to love on a normal night in my future life. Here are the ones I'm holding in my dream.

When was the last time you posted up in the kids' section of Barnes and Noble? If you're a mom, you might be like, "Um, yesterday?" But I am not yet a mother! I am a 28-year-old woman who, to the average passerby, has no reason to be in the children's section of Barnes and Noble.

It may or may not be a radical notion to you, dear reader, but I believe in children's books for grown ups wholeheartedly. My best friend always says girls are born knowing exactly who we are and what we like, and then we turn twelve and the world starts slowly taking those things away from us.

Is hope such a dirty thing? Is it embarrassing to believe your life could get better? I don’t think so. Change is vulnerable. Admitting we want something we don’t have is scary. It brings up a lot of insecurity and pain of the past. Being brave and trying for the life you want anyway is deserving of reward in my opinion. So buy yourself a self help book AND a cookie. 

Which is what I do! Whenever I am facing a new challenge, I download a self help audiobook that someone recommends on the topic, be it an article like this or someone I know who is knowledgeable on the subject. I go for slow walks and just listen. I don’t try to solve anything or rush through. I just walk and listen and trust that there is always some solution to every quandary. No reading even required. And that cookie thing, don’t forget. 

I think there’s this really damaging concept that pervades dating and relating that love simply doesn’t last. I hate that. I don’t have a lot of years under my belt but I don’t care what anyone says or thinks. I will do whatever is in my power to reject that belief. To instead believe that love has no limits, can always be reborn, and can transform even the darkest of nights in our lives. I just don’t see the point in thinking otherwise. 

To that end, with a little creativity and an open mind, date night is so magical. It can ignite that elation of a first kiss, the intensity of new love. I hope these ideas refresh and restore your date night ritual and remind you that love is too important to take for granted.