Romance
on a Budget - Love Is Patient, Kind, and Cheap
by Nicole Dean
Valentine's Day is around the corner and men from Alaska to
Florida are breaking into a cold sweat. They've bought into the fallacy that
romance equals money. Men everywhere have been frightened off by television and
movies and believe that romance is something outside of their budget. They are
wrong.
When I think of the most romantic and breathtaking stories that
my friends and I discuss over coffee, we don't talk about flying off to Europe
or drinking the most expensive champagne. The little things like holding hands,
reading stories together, and lots of laughter are what we hold dear.
I've put together a list of ways to show love -- without running
up your credit card bill. And, ladies, this list is for you, too. Initiate the
following ideas with your Sweetie, and show him how much you care. The ideas
below are for men or women and fit every budget.
Love Notes - Leave Love Notes for your Sweetheart to find.
Pampering - Brush her hair. Scratch his back.
Wildlife - Feed the ducks, squirrels, birds, turtles or fish
near you.
Games - Turn off the TV. Sit and play cards or board games
together.
Cooking - Find recipes to make with your sweetheart.
Candles - Candles should be used every day -- for meals, bath
time, snuggling.
Read together - Choose a book and take turns reading it to each
other.
Photos - When is the last time you had a photo taken together?
What are you waiting for?
Work Date - Surprise your love with a lunch date.
Stroll - Leave the TV, phone and computer behind and go on a
walk together.
Spell it Out - With Sidewalk Chalk, write your names in a heart
on the sidewalk where your sweetheart is sure to see it.
Entertainment - Go see a High School or College play or concert.
It is affordable and fun!
Slow Dance - Turn on the radio and dance to the songs you fell
in love listening to.
Star Gaze - Drive out to the country and look at the stars.
Volunteer - Choose a charity or cause that means something to
both of you and work together to make the world a better place.
Love Story - Write how you met, fell in love, how you felt, what
your thoughts were. You will treasure looking through these books over the
years.
Love Grows - Plant a garden together. Herbs, vegetables,
flowers, fruit -- anything you both like.
Cheer - Go to a High School Sporting Event.
Warm Hearts - Snuggle by a campfire or build a fire in the
fireplace.
Watch the Clouds - Lay together and watch the clouds go by. Talk
about the different shapes you see.
Connect - Hug, Hold Hands, Put your Arm around your Sweetheart.
Big Money - Write your Sweetheart a Check for One Million
Kisses. Or make a coupon book of treats for him or her.
Window Shop - Go downtown and window shop.
Early Days - Look at photo albums of yourselves when you were
kids through your dating years.
Puzzles - Do a jigsaw or crossword puzzle together.
Wish List - Both make a wish list of things that make you happy
and put them in order. Hugs, dates, gifts, time together, intimacy, etc. Then
look at the lists. They may surprise you.
People Watch - Sit on a bench and watch people go by. Try to
guess their stories.
Play - Go to the park and swing.
Kiss - Before you part for the day, kiss for 10 seconds. It is
much better than a quick peck on the cheek.
Picnic - Get take out food or make a picnic lunch. Take your
time and enjoy your meal together outdoors.
Throw Rocks - Go to a pond, creek, or lake and throw rocks. Try
to skip them or aim for different targets.
So, although an occasional expensive dinner is appreciated, it
is truly the day-to-day affection that builds romance and love. Yes, Love is
Patient, Kind -- and Cheap!
Nicole Dean is the owner of www.showMomtheMoney.com -- a fun and exciting site
for Moms and Work from Home Moms. (
http://www.showmomthemoney.com ) She lives in Florida with her much loved
Husband of almost 10 years, and their two silly children.