Investing in Time Together

In January, Todd and I were talking about where we would like to go and what we would like to do in 2013 as we usually do at the start of each year. One thing Todd mentioned wanting to do is go to the ClevelandMuseum of Natural History.  Honestly, I didn’t even know Cleveland had a Museum of Natural History!

I was talking to one of my co-workers about Todd wanting to go to the Natural History Museum and he had mentioned that they had a blue whale exhibit going on until the end of the month.  I immediately went online to see what it was all about.  Low and behold, the exhibit went through January 27^th.  We only had a couple more weeks to go if we wanted to see this exhibit.

 

I mentioned to Todd that there was also a Mayan exhibit coming to the Museum starting February that I wouldn’t mind checking out.  At $12/person plus parking, Todd wanted to look into a yearly membership.

Come to find out, we can get a 1 year membership for the two of us to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for $75.  This includes unlimited visits for the two of us, 4 extra tickets if we wanted to bring guests, and 2 free parking passes.  At this price, if we attend 3 exhibits, the membership pays for itself.  But wait, there’s more.

In front of a true-to-life size whale heart!
It is over 6 ft tall!

 

As part of the membership, we can get into hundreds of othermuseums around the United States for free!  This got us to thinking.  We are trying to save money this year and stay close to home.  We can travel all over Ohio and to Pennsylvania and see all of these cool museums and science centers for free!  Not only would it be fun, it would be inexpensive (we are within driving distance to many of the locations within Ohio and Pennsylvania), and we are spending time together.

 
 

Both Todd and I share the secondary love language (if you haven’t read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, I highly recommend it!) of quality time.  This means we feel most loved when our love language is met (his is physical touch - mine is acts of service) as well as our secondary love language is being met.  We have also decided that we are investing in a membership to the Cleveland Zoo as well.  This way, we can spend quality time throughout all seasons this year.  I absolutely love animals and by purchasing a yearly pass to the zoo, we would only have to go twice before it pays for itself.  You will most likely find us at the zoo on our 6 year wedding anniversary this year on May 3^rd!

 

Todd and I are complete nerds when it comes to museums and learning.  Even though the budget is tight this year, we are investing in time together:  Just the two of us – exploring the world (OK, Ohio and Pennsylvania…but close enough).  There will probably be some mishaps along the way, but we are going to be making memories together…and I cannot wait! 

 

 

What do you do to invest in your marriage?  Do you have a yearly membership with your spouse to the gym, musicals, concerts or museums?  Do you feel they bring you together as a couple?