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