Ladies, let’s talk. If you’ve been obsessively updating your Pinterest board labeled “Future Mrs. Goals” and dodging family questions like a professional athlete (“So, when’s the proposal happening?”), then congrats, you’re officially in the pre-engagement limbo. It’s that thrilling, slightly stressful stage where you’re 99% sure he’s going to pop the question but still have to pretend you’re totally chill every time he reaches for his pocket.
But before you get lost in a whirlwind of ring selfies and bridal expos, let’s focus on what really matters: your relationship. Wedding planning will come soon enough (and with it, the inevitable debate over whether to have a donut wall or a macaron tower). Right now, it’s time to have fun, make memories, and strengthen your bond before you say yes to forever. Here are eight fun date ideas to keep things exciting, deepen your connection, and remind you why he’s The One (even if he still doesn’t understand your Starbucks order).
1. Try a “First Date” Reboot
Recreate your very first date, awkward small talk and all. Wear the same outfit (or as close as you can manage), order the same food, and reminisce about those early butterflies. Bonus points if you dramatically reenact your internal monologue from that day. “OMG, does he like me? Should I laugh at his joke? What do I do with my hands?”
2. Take a Surprise Road Trip
Tell him to clear his schedule, pack a bag, and get in the car. Where are you going? He doesn’t know. Do you know? Eh, kind of. Just pick a random small-town destination, find the quirkiest attractions (World’s Largest Ball of Twine, anyone?), and embrace the adventure. Road trip snacks and a questionable playlist featuring both of your guilty pleasure songs are mandatory.
3. Cook a Fancy Meal… with a Catch
Yes, you could follow a normal recipe, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, take turns choosing ingredients at random and figure out how to make a meal out of them. Will it be a Michelin-star masterpiece or an inedible disaster? Either way, you’ll bond over the chaos, and possibly learn that neither of you should ever be left alone in a kitchen.
4. Attend a Wedding Together
Crash one if you must (just kidding, legally I cannot condone this), but ideally, attend a real wedding together. Watch the couple exchange vows, take mental notes for your future nuptials, and enjoy the free cake. Use it as an excuse to casually discuss what you want in a wedding, like how your guest list will definitely not include your cousin’s weird plus-one.
5. Sign Up for a Dance Class
Whether it’s salsa, ballroom, or a TikTok choreography that makes you question your coordination, learning to dance together is both romantic and hilarious. If nothing else, you’ll have a go-to move for your future wedding reception that isn’t just awkwardly shuffling in a circle.
6. Tackle a “Couples Challenge”
There’s something about facing an absurd challenge together that brings you closer. Try an escape room (where you’ll quickly learn who’s the problem solver and who just panics), build Ikea furniture (RIP to your sanity), or attempt a viral couples yoga pose and prepare for inevitable failure. The goal? Bonding through chaos.
7. Do a Digital Detox Date
No phones, no social media, no distractions, just the two of you. Maybe you go on a hike, have a picnic, or sit at a coffee shop and people-watch while making up dramatic backstories for strangers. The real challenge? Not reaching for your phone to check if someone liked your last Instagram post.
8. Create a “Pre-Engagement Bucket List”
Before you dive into the land of registries and wedding planning spreadsheets, make a list of things you want to do as a dating couple before the proposal. Maybe it’s a weekend getaway, volunteering together, or watching every Marvel movie in chronological order (a true test of commitment). The goal is to celebrate this phase of your relationship before the next big step.
The Final Word (and a Nudge to Spill the Tea)
Look, society puts a lot of pressure on engagements, like you have to craft the perfect Instagram caption or pretend you weren’t low-key expecting it the night he took you to that rooftop restaurant. But before you get caught up in the whirlwind, take the time to enjoy each other. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the ring, it’s about the relationship.
So tell me, what’s the most fun (or ridiculous) date you and your almost-fiancé have had? Drop your stories in the comments, bonus points if it involves something hilariously unexpected!
Now, back to refreshing Pinterest… just in case.