Happy Valentine’s Day!

https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/opinion/contributors/2016/02/13/make-time-romance-every-day/80177498/

It Doesn’t Have to be Valentine’s Day to Date Your Spouse.

My wife and I have had some wonderful Valentine’s Days in the past. I remember the first time I tried to cook for her. A friend let me borrow her apartment. I cooked steaks and had the whole romantic thing set up for Jan, with flowers and all.

When I was in residency, our hospital had a yearly February ‘Sweetheart’s Ball,’ and all of the residents would be excused from work while the faculty took over our roles in the hospital. I’ll never forget how lovely my wife looked in her black party-dress, dark curly hair down around her bare shoulders. Wow. Anyway, back to the point. We have had a lot of delightful romantic times on and around February 14. But as the Day is now upon us, I’d like to offer some advice to the young, and even old, couples out there.

First of all, romance may seem spontaneous but it requires attention and effort. Sure, there are moments of wonderful emotion that sneak up on us. But if we don’t take time with our spouses, romance can be a tough sell. For instance, men, if you ignore your honey for the entire football or deer season, a bouquet of roses at the last minute will earn you a sweet, sarcastic smile and not a lot else.

Likewise, for the ladies, a man won’t feel romantic if he isn’t appreciated throughout the year. If he feels berated and belittled, the last thing on his mind will be sweeping you off your feet or twirling you around the dance floor.

And to both men and women, make an effort! No, our love mustn’t be predicated on appearances. But for heaven’s sake, try to dress up for special times together! It’s a sign of respect. And no, guys, it doesn’t mean your nice John Deer hat. It means leave it at the house. Ladies, yes, it means perfume and lipstick and that dress you know he likes to see you wear. I may be a Neanderthal, but it’s just how things work for most of the men and women in the world.

Second, build on the basics. What I mean is, date one another! I don’t care how long you’ve been together, married or not. Schedule, intentionally and regularly, date nights or date days. This isn’t complicated. It’s about time talking, listening (attention men) and holding hands. Some of our absolutely best dates have involved a quick snack of appetizers and a much needed trip to the grocery store. Freezer section flirting is the best!

I don’t know how many times we’ve wandered the romantic aisles of Lowe’s, looking at things we’d like to have in the house someday, or talking about repairs we need to make. Heck, my Jan loves yard work and a trip through the riding mowers is as good as a walk through the jewelry store. (Take that boys!)

Third, grow and stay active together. Find a hobby or activity you love, or you can agree on, and make it a date. It may be biking or fishing, taking an art class or volunteering for the church or a service organization. It might be fixing up the house or cleaning the attic. But do it together and talk. A lot. Couples thrive on communication, so never forget that. We’ve found, over the years, that movies may be fun but that afterward, we didn’t have any time to talk. Couples need to decompress, process, discuss and dream. They need to talk about what the kids are doing, and on some dates, need to make a vow not to talk about the kids at all, but only one another.

These days Jan and I have ‘workout dates.’ We go to the gym, work hard to stay fit (for ourselves and one another), then get lunch afterward. Believe it or not, if you eat properly, it isn’t as silly as it sounds. Ice cream and cake after workouts aren’t the same, by the way. (OK, maybe every fifth or sixth.)

It’s a time of red-roses and chocolate candy, dinners by candle and champagne; but mostly in theory. For much of the world, Valentine’s Day will be an exhausted kiss after the children are bathed and in bed, or holding hands during night-time prayers.

Fortunately, romantic dates come in many varieties all through the year. Just be sure that however you do it, you do it with the singular goal of loving your spouse better with every passing day.

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