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True Romance for Couples with
Kids: 10 ideas
Author: Susie Michelle
Cortright
In my marriage, some of the
most memorable evenings have
also
been the least expensive.
Sure, I have enjoyed the
bouquets and
the boxes of chocolate, but it
is the folk music in the ski
lodge, the sips of Chardonnay
on our summer porch swing, and
the
nights spent reading in bed,
side by side, that really
stand out.
Anyone can splurge on a formal
dinner or a pricey bottle of
perfume, but it takes
creativity, forethought, and
time to be
truly romantic.
The key lies in personalizing
your celebration. Here are ten
ideas to fuel your own
creativity:
1. Empty a box of chocolate
(either into your mouth or
onto a
plate...) Then cut out 50 to
100 hearts from lace doilies,
construction paper, or fabric.
On each cutout, record
something
about him that you love. Be
specific, "The way you
smell when
you come to bed at
night," "The way you
take care of me when I’m
sick," or simply
"Your recipe for
pancakes."
Another variation: Write down
100 cherished memories of your
life together. Fold the
cutouts, place them in the
chocolate
box, and top with a red satin
bow. The time you spend coming
up
with these ideas will
contribute to your own
romantic mood, and
what he thinks is a plain box
of chocolates will be a gift
he’ll
keep close to his heart
forever. And you can add to
the box each
year.
2. Build a romantic fire.
Before the kids go to bed,
have fun
roasting marshmallows. After
their lights are out, host
your own
indoor picnic, complete with a
bottle of wine and
chocolate-covered
strawberries.
3. Recreate your first date
together. What were you
wearing?
Where did you go? Do you
remember what you talked
about? Spend
the evening reminiscing and
reflecting on how far you’ve
come as
a couple.
4. Spoon all night.
5. Choose a book in which you
are both interested, fiction
or
nonfiction. Read a new chapter
each night before bed. This
cozy
tradition will allow you to
spend some quality time
together and
often makes for
thought-provoking breakfast
conversations.
6. Make a tape of the songs
special to your relationship.
Include "your song,"
songs from your wedding, songs
from
favorite movies. Add a
personal voice dedication and
leave it in
his briefcase, Walkman, or car
stereo.
7. Turn off the TV.
8. Kidnap your husband.
Arrange for a babysitter for a
few
hour--or a few days. A friend
of mine had a lot of success
with
this one. She knew her husband
had always wanted to get
married
in Vegas, but he had agreed to
a large, formal ceremony
hosted
by her family. So, after they
had been married 10 years, she
surprised him at work with a
packed suitcase. They caught
an
evening flight and renewed
their vows before an Elvis
impersonator in a Vegas
chapel. Years later, they’re
still
talking about it.
9. This one requires a
babysitter, too. Next time
you’re
visiting your parents or
in-laws, leave the kids with
their
grandparents and travel to
another town, where no one
will
recognize you. Check into a
hotel or B&B. Dress like
another
woman. Act like another woman.
It’s fun to slip into
another
persona from time to time.
10. Have a scavenger hunt.
Write a few poems, wrap candy
kisses
inside, and hide them around
the house. Each poem should be
a
clue to finding the next one.
Make sure the final clue lands
your man someplace you want to
end up for the entire evening.
A
romance package, including a
bottle of champagne and new
lingerie, is a nice touch.
Create a memory this
Valentine's Day, not with your
pocketbook,
but with your imagination.
Copyright 2003 Susie Cortright
About the author:
Susie Michelle Cortright is
the author of More Energy for
Moms
and Rekindling Your Romance
After Kids, as well as the
Soul
Snacks booklet series,
featuring creative ways to
nurture
yourself and your family in 15
minutes or less. Each of these
publications is available
through Momscape.com, a
website
devoted to helping women
celebrate and embrace their
diverse
roles: http://www.momscape.com
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