Romance

Roses and candles can help spark romance.

The date was 07-07-07, perfect for weddings. In fact, it has been reported that this date was one of the most popular dates for a wedding all year. Churches and wedding chapels were booked months in advance just to secure that date. But after the wedding comes life, and to keep the fire of true love burning it is just as important to romance our spouse after the wedding as it was before. We had a few thoughts about this and would like to provide some romantic ideas we have done that are easy and inexpensive.

Ideas for husbands:

• Take a walk together holding hands. During your walk, tell your wife three qualities she has that you appreciate most.
• Take over folding the laundry for a week AND put it all away.
• Give your wife a coupon for three hours of your time and attention to be used this week. The time must be scheduled ahead and protected by both of you.
• Fill a basket with your wife’s favorite things, like beverage, magazine, candy, lotion or cologne and surprise her with it. Also, put in a note that says you will do one of her usual chores this week.
• Write a poem about your wife’s top three qualities and read it to her aloud.
• Give your wife two hugs per day this week. With each hug say thank you for two things she has done for you today.
• Hide your wife’s favorite “whatever” and prepare several clue cards that will lead her to it.
• Before your wife wakes up put sticky notes around the room with “I love you” on them.
• Purchase tickets to a movie your WIFE would like and mail them to her with a note telling her how much you appreciate her. If necessary, have child care arranged ahead of time.

Ideas for wives:

• Go for 48 consecutive hours with NO criticism or judgments toward your husband, only encouragement and complements allowed. Tell husband when time begins and ends.

• Serve a romantic dessert just for two by candlelight. Then ask questions like: what is the one thing you most want to accomplish in your life; when you were a child, what did you want to grow up to be; and what makes you feel masculine. Show you value what he shares.
• Give your husband a 30 minute massage using lotion.
• Give your husband an evening off from all responsibilities.
• Make a large banner; an old sheet works great, to hang on the front of your house or garage. Write MY HUSBAND IS WONDERFUL. Let it surprise him when he comes home.
• Wash his car inside and out. Put little dabs of perfume on his steering wheel. A few sticky notes with kisses, hearts or I love you on them are a fun touch.
• Cook a simple meal in: an apron only, formal wear or a chef outfit. Serve on nice dishes and eat by candlelight. Soft music sets the mood. During the meal tell your husband two things in the last week you appreciated that he did for you.
• Write a love letter to your husband reflecting on when you first met, what brought you together, thank him for one major sacrifice he has made for you and why you look forward to spending your future with him. This must be mailed, not hand delivered.
• Put on his favorite outfit and take him to the dance floor. This can be at home or a favorite dance spot. Let the music bring out the best of the evening.

Keep romance in your marriage by scheduling a date night at least once a week. If childcare is needed trade babysitting with friends to keep expenses down. Your spouse is worth it.