Ways to Keep the Fire Burning: Romance 101

Romance often gets lost in the everyday hustle and bustle of life.  This especially tends to happen when you're working parents, with romance often getting dwindled down to just cuddling. BORING! That is about as romantic as watching paint dry is fun!!!

Oh this field definitely requires much more effort. You can play it safe and keep it traditional with the usual expressions of love or you can opt to be different and get your own creative juices flowing.  Either way, just try to make it fun and something that the person has to look forward to.

Below I have listed a few ideas to help to get you started on your quest to being more romantic. Feel free to leave your own stories or suggestions as well. Good luck!

1.) FLOWERS

Flowers are usually a very easy way to produce a smile on someone's face. In my opinion, the type of flowers should depend on the type of  person. A traditional person may prefer a dozen red roses, while a more radical person may rather have a Stargazer Lily bouquet! Be sure to get a nice vase and possibly some small stones or marbles to match. While your significant other is gone, set it up and put it on display. Simple as that.

2.) RANDOM NOTES

In this digital age that we now live in, filled with e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging, sometimes it can be refreshing to actually see handwriting once in a while.  Especially when it comes to something special, handwritten notes can come across as more personal and genuine because the person actually took the time to write it out. Place these little surprises in places that you know the person will go such as on the refrigerator handle, on the bathroom mirror, on the steering wheel in his/her car, on the front door, etc.  You can use little post it sticky notes or old-fashioned loose leaf paper, or you can get fancy and buy special paper. Feel free to spray perfume or cologne on it and write a small note like "I love you", "I miss you", "You are appreciated", "If you are reading this, then that means that I am gone to work. Although we are apart, I carry you in my heart." Be funny, be cheesy, be flirty, but most of all just be genuine!

3.) CANDLELIT BUBBLE 

BATH

Run a bubble bath and add rose petals on top and around. Dress it up even more by adding small tealight candles along the tub or whirlpool. Take it a step further and add in a plate of dessert like chocolate covered strawberries, cheesecake, or a slice of apple pie with caramel drizzled ice cream, or to keep it simple fresh fruit with whipped cream should do the trick! A bottle of your significant others favorite wine can also be included. You can also play music softly to set the vibe even more.

4.) FANCY DINNER

If you're a good cook then whip up your significant other's favorite meal, and if you lack culinary skills then just order it.  But don't stop there. Decorate the table with a table cloth, fancy plates, champagne glasses, silverware, placemats, and napkins. Of course the favorite wine or beverage should be included. Add candles or roses to enhance it even more. (lay the roses on the table)  If you're comfortable enough, try feeding each other, or if you have dessert and things start to heat up you can lick it off of one another!

5.) BLINDFOLDS

Blindfolds can be used for many things. Something in taking away sight seems to intensify other senses. Blindfold your significant other as you bring him/her to a special location. Play a guessing game based on sounds or smells to see if the location can be guessed.  Or feed him/her and see if the foods can be guessed.  

6.) SMALL GIFTS

Gifts are usually a safe and common way to go when channeling your inner romance.  They don't always have to be big and expensive.  Small gifts are fun too.  It can range from a funny key chain to a  small compact mirror engraved with a message.  Jewelry, spa gift certificate, engraved money clip, tickets to a concert or comedy show, gift cards, framed picture of the both of you, a scrapbook (empty or filled), cuff links, a book, perfume/cologne, a wallet, and lingerie are just some gift ideas.  Give it a more personal edge by custom making something like a mug, shirt, playlist on an i-pod (or cd), or calendar. 

7.) WORD SEARCH

Lastly, while away from your significant other text him/her with instructions to discover a hidden message from you.  Before hand, grab his/her favorite book and make a note for yourself of the title, page numbers, line numbers, and how many words across. For example, if the message is "You are my everything", find pages that have the words and the instructions would read:  Get your book titled Somebody's Gotta Be On Top .Go to page 24. 9th line down. 7th word over.  And it would continue like this for each word.

Remember that romance should be fun, intimate, and genuine.  Discover what things work for you and just keep being creative.  It will take time, patience, and lots of effort, but the end result should make it all worth while. 

Sincerely, Me