Time for 2: Not only are regular date nights fun, they help strengthen marriage, too

What's your excuse?

Seriously. There must a reason you and your sweetie haven't been on a date in a while.

Is it because you're uncomfortable leaving your kids? Maybe money is the issue. Or perhaps all you want to do is just "veg" on the couch after a long week at work.

Either way, those aren't reasons to not have a regular date night with your husband or wife, according to Lindsey Rietzsch, a Utah mom and author of "How to Date Your Spouse."

She believes any married couple can and should be able to take one night a week, or a month, to go on a date. It's something that can help remind them they are more than just a mom or a dad and can also reignite a spark of romance into a relationship.

"That's kind of how you fall in love all over again," said Rietzsch.

Research backs her up.

There are studies showing couples who regularly have fun together, whether it be through a regular date night or other activities, have stronger relationships than couples who don't connect in a positive way, according to Howard Markman, co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver.

In fact, one of the leading causes of divorce is because couples say they "grew apart" or "fell out of love," Markman said. Other reasons include infidelity, addictions, a lack of communication and a lack of commitment to a marriage.

As of May of this year, reports show at least 6,000 couples in Utah have filed for divorce. The most recent national statistics show 3.6 couples divorced in 2005 for every 1,000 in the population.

At the Center for Marital and Family Studies, Markman and his colleague Scott Stanley have been studying marriage for more than 25 years. They also run one of the top-recognized programs for divorce prevention and marriage enhancement, known as PREP.

From Markman's perspective, the antidote to most any relationship ill is to focus more on fun, friendship and romance. Date nights, if done regularly and done right, are a good way to talk, connect and also have fun, he said.

Even President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, who have been married for 16 years, still have regular date nights. Just last month, they were mildly criticized for jetting off to New York to watch a Broadway show, but relationship experts said it was a great example for other couples to find time for fun and passion.