Romance

When people hear the word romance they usually think of the grand gestures like a candle lit dinner at an upscale restaurant, a bouquet of beautiful flowers, boxes of fancy chocolates or expensive jewelry. Most of this has been embedded in our thoughts by ad agencies who have created commercials and print ads for jewelers, florists and chocolatiers. At the beginning of a relationship many of these romantic gestures do take place for a couple of reasons. One, our endorphins are in high gear when we are first in love and two, we want to impress a new partner. Nothing wrong with this as it is a natural reaction to want to please a new love.

We all know that this beginning romantic stage doesn't last forever. The better we know a person, and become more comfortable with them, we are not as quick to do the grand gestures to impress. It doesn't mean that romance should go out the door and be replaced with complacency; it just means things change with time.

The reality is that it's not the big things that are romantic as time passes, it's the small surprises that keep romance alive. As we get older we are more aware of this fact, and we appreciate simpler acts of thoughtfulness:
  • Although receiving a bouquet of flowers is nice, having someone stop on the side of the road and pick some wildflowers to bring home means much more.
  • Jewelry is nice, but something small that has meaning to both of you is far better than an expensive piece to impress.
  • Chocolate - hard to say no to chocolate, but none of us needs a box, just give them something they love or maybe even a single Hershey's Kiss.
  • Going out to dinner is great once in a while, however, on a beautiful day a picnic can be far more romantic.
The grandest gestures to keep romance alive are the little things we can do every day:
  • Make a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate for your partner.
  • Do one thing for them that will take a "chore" off their daily list.
  • If you have children, take them out so your partner can have some time alone.
  • Make them their favorite dinner and do the clean-up.
  • Call a sitter and plan a date night as a surprise.
  • Wash their car.
  • Go for a quiet walk together.
  • Leave them a special card just to let them know how much they mean to you.
  • Hold their hand or give them a kiss for no reason.
Sometimes when we are in our daily routine we forget how much someone means to us. That is when we need to take a moment to put more effort forward. The most important thing - tell them every day that you love them.


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