Keeping Love Fresh: Lessons from a Crab Date Night

This October, Maurice and I decided to shake things up with a seafood date night. If you’d been there, you’d have seen us both cracking crab legs, bibs on, hands messy, eyes locked over a mountain of crustaceans. It was all very romantic—and a little hilarious. There we were, pinching and cracking away, determined to get every last bit of crab meat. It was an evening filled with laughter, a little bit of shell splatter, and a reminder of why dates are so important for keeping our love fresh. As it says in *Song of Solomon 4:10,* “How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine!” (Or in this case, better than crab legs!)

But this got me thinking: like seafood, marriage requires attention, seasoning, and a little spice to stay fresh. If you don’t keep stirring the pot, you risk letting things go cold. In *Matthew 24:12,* we’re warned that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Isn’t it true in marriage, too? We must intentionally guard our love so it doesn’t grow stale or get too comfortable. Here are three simple steps to keep the fire burning:

Schedule Quality Time. 

There’s nothing quite like sitting across from each other, phones down, and sharing a meal that’s a little out of the ordinary. A fun or unusual dinner keeps you laughing together, talking, and finding joy in each other’s company. And if you’re trying to eat crab without making a mess, you’ll definitely be laughing! *Proverbs 17:22* says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Make date night a medicine for the heart and the soul.

Express Appreciation Often. 

Let’s face it: we get so used to each other that sometimes we forget to express how much we care. But that night, between bites, I told Maurice how grateful I was for him. Those little words make a big difference. As *Proverbs 16:24* reminds us, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Don’t let your love grow cold—speak words that are sweet and nourishing.

Laugh Together. 

Life is serious enough. Laughter brings us closer and keeps things light. If you can laugh over seafood splatter and messy hands, you can laugh through life’s messes, too. Ecclesiastes reminds us in *3:4* that there’s “a time to laugh.” Find those times together and cherish them!

That October evening over crab wasn’t just dinner—it was a joyful, messy reminder of the bond God has blessed us with. No matter where you are in marriage, make the effort to keep your love fresh. And remember, whether it’s crab legs or life’s other challenges, love is sweeter when you savor it together!