Whatever Happened to Romance?
So, as you may tell from my album title that I’m a total romantic! I was brought up with the movies from the 1920’s and 1930’s where love seems so easy and romance was popping up in every way of life. I suppose, because I have never been in love, I’m still clinging on to the picture perfect romance like I used to see in the movies.
I’m not saying romance is dead because I have been swept off my feet many times before! I love spontaneity and surprises. I once went on a date with this guy and he wouldn’t tell me where we were going he just told me where to meet him and what time. We ended up going to this tourist attraction called London dungeon. Definitely a 10 for originality! I was telling my friends about it for weeks!
Tell me what you think about romance.Share your favorite romantic gestures, movies, books, or even songs in the comment box below for a chance to win a romance prize pack!
*The Prize Pack will include:
- Signed Victoria Hart Press Kit and/or CD
- Victoria Hart mini poster
- Box of Godiva Chocolates
- $50 gift card towards a romantic dinner ($50 AMEX gift card)
I love comments…so feel free to tell me what you think!
Loads of love
Victoria Hart
Xxxx
The Gather Editorial Team will select five (5) winning comments based on originality and creativity, appropriateness to topic, and clarity of essay. All comments must be submitted by September 1st. The winners will be announced on September 5th.
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 69
Great contest! I'm so excited to share!
Like Romeo and Juliet or Antony and Cleopatra, I believe my husband and I share one of the great romances of all time. We were friends for several years and almost overnight, our relationship turned into something more. From the moment we realized how much we cared for one another, it was like a fairytale...and still is even 7 years later.
The most romantic and wonderful thing he ever did for me (and you'll love this if you love surprises!) was fly me to Bermuda without telling me where we were going. It was about a year after we started dating, and he wanted to take me away for a "Valentine's trip". Well, the Valentine's thing was just a cover...he was really taking me there to propose :) After months of covertly trying to wring information from me (ie, "Would you rather have a big tv of lesser quality or a smaller, brandname tv?"), he gave me the perfect proposal. He secured a room with a balcony that overlooked the ocean and on Valentine's night, took me out there to tell me a Valentine's story. At the end of this beautiful story, he pulled out the little blue box (Yay! He went with the smaller, brandname!!!) and asked me to be his wife.
We just celebrated our 3-year wedding anniversary, and will celebrate 7-years of togetherness in December, but our lives are just as full of passion and romance as they were 7 years ago.
Thanks for letting me share!
Jerrica
The most romantic moment I've ever shared with anyone, was on my boyfriend's birthday. We went to the store and bought a pint of ice cream and a box of plastic spoons, and then drove to the cemetery in town and ate it and watched the sunset... he was leaving the next day to go back to Canada, so that made it even more special.
I also remember our first dance together. He put "You Look Beautiful Tonight" on the computer and we just started dancing... It was such a sweet moment, and the best slow dance I've ever had! And it took place in my bedroom, instead of some dance hall or something.
When it comes to music, I find romance in the smallest bits of lyrics. Flowers, clouds, all of that seem romantic to me... I'm easily wooed, I suppose. But mostly... it's just having someone know me enough, that they can do something amazing without even having to think about it.
What a wonderful contest and a way to share romantic stories.
Sometimes I think I'm married to the most romantic soul on earth. He has never forgotten a birthday, anniversary and always brings home little things for no apparent reason. But I think he out did himself for our twenty-fifth anniversary. We flew to Washington, DC to see a Josh Groban concert. Stayed at a very luxurious hotel. I'm not sure how he arrainged all of this but when we returned from the concert, the bed was filled with rose petals, champagne was chilling, candles were everywhere and flickered in the night breeze, on the balconey were more roses (25 white one's, one for each year of marriage) on the table were strawberries and a chocolate fondue. On my chair was a scrapbook that he made for me that depicted everything from our first meeting, through our anniversary this night. It wasn't just the night that was special.
Instead of the 25 days until Christmas, I had the 25 days until our anniversary. Every day I received one white rose until the 25 were delivered to our room. I can't imagine what it took to pull everything off, but I am still filled with such memories of that anniversary.
He's a great guy and I love him so.
I could add more, music is the soul that blends nature, beauty and love, expressed by a songwriter, sometimes thru pains and unpleasant experiences.
I was greated at the door with Pitcher of sex on the beach and a box with a bathing suit beautiful silk robe with a palm tree theme amd led to the bedroom to change
I felt kind of odd getting in this get up but went along but decided to go along with it to be sociable took a hot bath that had roses in the tub and started to relax and feel wonderful
Then the best surprise of all I ( a bit tipsy from the drink walked into the livingroom to find a glorious fire in the fire place,and sand and shells all over the wooden floors.A chaise lounge for two awaited me with Jimmy Buffet on the stereo and we were alone as our friends went to her parents in wash D.C,
memories like this keep me going as my partner passed away ten years later.
the planning and execution of my beach in Baltimore Md. will always make me smile on Christmas.
I have plenty to tell. I have fallen the hardest. Smittened - oh my - I can't get it out of my heart and worst of all my wife understands why I cry! Seriously it's your music. I do so wish I could be in love with you but I'm married so all I can do is fall hopelessly for your music. This is serious! I ordered the the album from the UK via amazon and received the fancy import from Japan. U.S. fans - eat our hearts out you'll have to wait a few more days for the official American album debut.
I'll tell you what's so good about being in love with your music. For starters it makes the world class traffic in Atlanta disappear. An hour with your music "washing my tears away" and I'm at work. But honestly, the next release should warn against tapping you feet while in the drivers seat- oohh... I noticed that the staff of the TODAY show had the same difficulty with their shoes the day you appeared.
Attention Gather readers - take the Victoria Hart "Toe 2 Toe" challenge. Give a listen to "Wonderful" at http://victoriahart.com/music.php and you'll wonder how those taps got put on your shoes. Yours is the only performance I have heard where a wink is probably included at the end of every verse. Now stop that.
Victoria - when I read the cd notes and found out that you are credited for some of the music yourself, I knew that my feelings for your work were even deeper than I had dreamed. I was having a having the blond moment and to make matter worse I was feasting on your gift of "Chocolates And Strawberries". Things are really beginning to get confused.
I'll end with the only words that come to mind, "It's too late to stop loving you"
Warm regards
Scott - Lilburn Georgia USA
When the day arrived, I ordered a feast of curries, samosas, kebabs, dal and naan from a local Indian restaurant and when it arrived we took it down the hall. We were very surprised to find that the patient hospitality coordinator had transformed the drab room into a private dining salon with banners, ribbons, pretty dishes, crystal, silverware, flowers and candles. My husband and our son even dressed up for the occasion and brought dessert from the Cheesecake Factory. It was a very touching evening and we had a very pleasant time away from my usual hubbub of pokings and proddings.
I think we all cherish the thoughtfulness of the hospital staff in seeing to more than just my physical health, but also providing us with a little romance.
Once while we was shopping he noticed that I liked a pretty bed spread and bought it. That wouldn't be something I would have done at the time we needed other things.
He is used to living close to an ocean-so everytime we went to a certain bar and grill he would by a cluster of seashells, one was a plant hanger.
It's just the little things, a special memory.
I met a man about 30 years ago. He was very handsome and moved in across the street from me. We both were coming out of failed marriages. We dated for awhile and even got engaged, but I guess our timing was all wrong. I would say it was a case of cold feet for both of us. We went our separate ways. We moved a good distance away from each other.
All the time we were away from each other, I always thought about him. I had other family priorities, a son who was very ill, so I never followed up on my feelings.
Eventually, my son's illness got the best of him. It was complications from juvenile diabetes. He passed away and it took quite a few years to come to terms with his death.
As fate would have it one day I bumped into this man's niece. She told him about our meeting and he told her to get my phone number. Since then he's been calling once or twice a week. We are finally going to go out. I won tickets to a concert, a group that use to be popular when we dated, Earth, Wind and Fire.
Thirty years later, I'm going on a first date with this man. We've changed a bit since then. I'm as nervous as a teenager going on her first blind date. It's very exciting, but isn't it ROMANTIC? Dancing under the stars.
The saga continues........Love and Romance never dies, sometimes it just gets postponed for awhile. I will let you know the outcome.
We met before Christmas. Our first date was in the end of February. Our engagement was announced in mid-April. Our wedding would be the first Saturday in October, but first we needed "our" apartment. He helped me move into it (he moved in after our honeymoon) in midAugust borrowing a pick-up from a friend. My old apartment wasn't air-conditioned. It was just the two of us loading up the pick-up. Friends would help us unpack. It was a typical, hot, hazy, and humid day in south Jersey, and I'm sure my deodorant didn't hold up. He drove the pick-up, and I followed in my car. As we were stopped at a red light, sweat and dirt covering me, he called the guy selling flowers over. He bought the flowers for me, and had the guy go back to my car to deliver them. His first bouquet for me.
Forward ten years later, I had lost a job, and was having trouble finding a new one. We needed me working, so money was tight, and I was feeling useless without a job. He came home from work and told me that we had to go out immediately -- I didn't need to get dressed, or even needed to wear shoes. (I should have worn shoes. LOL) I never ask him where we're going, because I love the surprise of discovering his secret impromtu adventures. He had found a small naturalized lot outside of our little town that was filled with a wide variety of daisies, chicory, goldenrod, and other wild flowers. We spent half an hour picking all the flowers we wanted, and came home laughing with the biggest bouquet we've ever had. His motive was simple -- to make sure that I would smile and know he still loved me. It worked.
Forward again, through some tough years when I became disabled and then three years later, he became disabled making that time when I was jobless seem so silly, and we're finally able to find a cheap little cottage near a lake to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Both being disabled, our first day on any trip away from home must be spent recovering from the effort of packing and getting there, even though we can't drive for more than an hour anymore.
With that, I was quite surprised to come out of my leisurely shower to find that John wasn't in the cabin. I was bearly dressed when he returned excited. He had strolled down to the lake, a mere 100 yards or so away. I had to come and see it. He grabbed a few pieces of bread. (Again, I don't ask!) We fed the minnows at the water's edge, laughing and watching them pushing the pieces of bread around, before finally able to grab enough to eat them. On the way back, we found more wild flowers, including two varieties in my favorite color - purple. I could reach one of them, but the other, prettier one, was right in the middle of a large muddy patch. He got them for me. Our vase was an empty, plastic soda bottle, but it was a beautiful bouquet.
The next day, John slipped coming out of the leaky shower, and hurt his shoulder so badly, he was in agony, too sore to sleep or drive, so our vacation was cut short. The shoulder took 4 months to heal, and still hurts on cold or rainy days. We still remember the day we fed the minnows and picked flowers together.
Some where over the years, I've developed a passion for gardening, connected to my love of flowers, but include veggies and herbs, both because I like eating fresh produce and because John is an excellent cook. I've been disabled for 8 years now, but haven't adapted well. I tend to take on too much with the gardening, and can't keep up with it every day. It's a container garden, so needs to be hand watered every night. John helps me, even though it isn't his hobby. (Well, maybe it is now.) Just last night, we gathered flowers out of our garden for a bouquet. again. All purple flowers, except for one medium sunflower.
Flowers are a romantic thought, but they have continued to remind me how much my husband has loved me over the years, no matter what life brings us, or how "useful" I feel.
In fact, in my humble opinion, it is precisely the little things about love and romance that speak the loudest about both the giver and the receiver of that love.
So, sit back, and enjoy my contribution to love and romance!
One of my most romantic moments always happens over a special home cooked dinner and then snuggling on the couch with my sweetie over a romantic movie. But which Movie? That could be 'Dr Zhivago', 'Ghost', or 'Out of Africa'.
Dr. Zhivago is my favortie so I will start there.
It amazes me to see that this romantic film 'Dr. Zhivago' remains fresh and exciting after almost four decades, even to viewers who are younger than the film. To me the best romantic moment happened when Omar Sharif and Julie Christie are at the frozen country estate and he writes her a poem.
Second on my romantic movie list is 'Ghost', especially when Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore sensuously mold clay together.
Another romantic movie moment that always excites me is when Robert Redford washes Meryl Streep's hair by the river in 'Out of Africa'.
These have been my favortie places to be romantic and stroll hand in hand with my love:
Strolling along historic Mystic Seaport in Conn. .
Wandering through the gardens of historic Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina.
Taking a moonlight walk on the La Playa Negra in Costa Rica.
Walking along Narragansett, Rhode Island's quite coves , watching the fishing boats in the harbor.
Tracking native birds while on a hike in Carara National Park in Costa Rica's tropical rainforest.
Meandering the narrow cobblestone lanes of the village of Fira on Santorini, Greece.
Small things are cute. If you see a food product in a grocery store that comes in a smaller package than usual, get it, because there's a very good chance it's cute. The same goes for travel size shampoo, toothpaste, and so on. Find a store that sells doll house stuff, and your supply of cute things can be limitless.
My list of Cute Things
Teddy bears.
Puppies.
Cherubic baby archers.
Those photographs where two little kids exhibit an unnatural affection for each other and only the roses are in color are extremely romantic.
But you also need to have Low Light.
Any kind of low light, you see, is romantic, hence why dinner dates after dark are more romantic than lunch dates at noon.
Candles are romantic and CUTE and emit low light.
Sunrises and sunsets scream romance.
Combine these low light sources, and it stands to reason that the air of romance will be so thick, your beloved will be blind to anything else but the radiance of your shimmering self. Open the curtains on a sunset and light some candles, and you might even be able to get away with watching a TV during dinner.
Then you must incorporate something Red
You see, red is romantic, because red is the color of love and passion.
Consider roses. Red roses mean, "I love you." Yellow roses mean, "Let's just be friends," which is synonymous with, "You are irritating, and I hate you." So if you do not want to be wrong. Get red roses, red ribbons, red balloons, red teddy bears, red puppies, and red tickets to the World Series, and your love will fall hopelessly under your spell.
But you still need Background Music
Background music is romantic, and note the word "background," because not just any music is romantic. For music to be romantic, it must be too soft to hear and may not be lively, funny, or good. Like it or not 'Elevator music' is the most romantic genre of music out there.
Oh, and you better not forget the Chocolates.
Chocolates are not only romantic, they're complimentary. When you give a box of chocolates to your beloved, it says, "You could pig out on this tub of lard and bloat out to three tons, but you'd still be the apple of my eye." It doesn't matter if it's true -- it's the message that counts. But the real reason to give your loved one chocolates is because any loved one worth there salt will turn right around and offer you some. It's a win-win no matter how you look at it situation. So go buy a cute, red shaped chocolate heart, give it to your love in the dark and you are in like Flynn.
Now this brings me to those Fancy Curly Things.
Flair and flourish is extremely romantic.
Whenever you purchase a greeting card, get one of the ones with all the curly red scribbles on it. When you write letters, make the tails of the 'g's and 'y's really long and the loops in the 'd's and 'b's and 'p's really big. That's way romantic.
And in finally I present the Most Intrinsically Romantic Thing Ever!!!!!!!!
The single most romantic thing in the universe can be calculated scientifically.
It is, simply, a small red candle made out of chocolate and shaped like a teddy bear holding a heart with red scribbles all over it that plays a stupid tune when you wind it up. Give one of these to your love at sunset on your way out with the guys or girls, and you will be able to stay out all night and still strengthen your relationship.
One of the most romantic books is Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. I know it was made into a good movie, but the book is even better. It will make you both laugh and cry. If you haven't either seen the movie or read the book, then I don't want to give a lot a way. It takes place over a long period of time, from before World War II to the presant day.
Sparks' follow up book, The Wedding, is also a true romance. It follows some of the same characters in today's world. Putting this book down is impossible, since you will become attached, wanting to know how things ultimately turn out. I still will give nothing away, as I want you to savor every page.
As for romance, I'm an old fashioned girl. Romance starts with me with a simple hug, smile and holding hands. My husband and I have been married 23 years and he still makes me laugh. Sure I would like the flowers but its the simple things he does that make me smile. Like tell me every day how beautiful I am, like ask me every day how my day was and sharing a joke with me.
I am a sucker for romantic movies and my all time favorites would have to be Titanic and Dirty Dancing.
Good luck with the contest!
A sacred feeling shared by TWO
towards a path of ADVENTURE
A sacred felling shared by TWO
towards a path of TRUTH
A sacred feeling shared by TWO
towards a path of FAITHFULNESS
A sacred feeling shared by TWO
towards a path to become as ONE
A sacred feeling shared by TWO
towards a path beyond UNKNOWN
hey nothing fancy, just a thought about romance, not really romantic but its all about ROMANCE...
Twenty years later, my dear husband makes the morning coffee-which he doesn't drink-and brings me a cup before I ever get out of bed.
Romance is a kiss before you go out the door, an unexpected hug, a phone call just to say "I love you."
My husband met me when he brought a friend to visit his wife in the hospital. I worked there and she was a patient of mine. The next day she said he had asked her to get my phone number and address, if I were willing to give them to her for him. Of course, I promptly handed them over.
He came by my home that same afternoon and we made a date for the following evening. We went to the drive-in and saw "The Chartreuse Caboose" with Edgar Buchanan and Molly Bee. My husband asked me to marry him and said he'd fallen in love with me the moment he'd seen me.
He was in the Air Force at the time. We went out the next four nights and then he left for his hometown to tell his family he was getting married. He returned ten days later and gave me an engagement ring.
We met on October 8th, 1961 and were married December 30th, 1961. He still opens doors for me, never leaves the house without kissing me, kisses me good night, and tells me he loves me at least once a day (though more often than not, it's several times a day).
When I had a quite serious surgery done, he cared for me, sometimes in humbling circumstances, always with kisses and hugs and told me that I was his, "to have and tol hold".
I do not claim to be a great writer but I am a romantic! This in spite of the fact that I have been married and divorced twice. I have no desire to marry again but I still want to have a great love again, even at my age of 69 or later. I thought I found it with my second husband, I was his third wife, he his now on to his fourth wife and I still am looking for my great love.
My doctor tells me that I have a heart of a 45 year old so that I plenty of time! He should know.
Thank you for letting me tell my story,
Suzanne Shaw
Ypsilanti, Michigan
I feel romance is seeing an elderly couple loving looking at one another and tenderly walking hand and hand through the park. Romance is seeing a baby fall asleep on his father's chest (as well as the father).
Romance is not what Hallmark,Hollywood, or Fifth Avenue can sell us, it is what we make from our lives with our families and friends. Sometimes these three can get an idea of it for a card, a movie or a television ad, but these ideas are inspired by real life experiences that we can all relate to. Music is something that can beat express thses kind of feelings of various types of love. Performing acts of love at any time for anyone is romantic.
As for my personal experience, I have had many. I have had people bring me chicken soup when I was sick, give me rides when I needed them and had a friend with me when my beloved cat was put to sleep. She was totallt there for me that day. I was able to bury my cat on her property.
I am divorced and like everyone else on this panel a hopeless romantic. I wait for my prince charming to come into my life. In the mean time, my life is rich and full of love and romance from my family and friends!
Thank you for allowing me to share!
Kristine Becker
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Just a note to let you know that romance is definitely not dead! After 39 years of marriage my husband still knows how to sweep me off my feet! Just last week he was mowing the yard and I went out to ask him if he needed some lunch....he cut off the mower and looked at me with those big blue eyes that just melt my heart, and said "Do you know how much I love you and how much you mean to me?" I replied is that a yes on the lunch? He said "it has nothing to do with your getting lunch for me, it has to do with the fact that I wouldn't want to imagine my life without you." He continued to tell me that mowing gave him time to think about how blessed he had been to have me in his life.
I don't know what I ever did that was good enough to deserve this man in my life, but I thank the good Lord everyday that he sent us to each other! We raised 2 beautiful children and now we are raising our adorable grandson. I can only pray that my children will end up as happy as their parents!
If I never get another love lesson from my husband again, I will always remember that he could mow the yard and be reminded of how much he loves me!
My husband and I have known eachother for seven years, and have been married for four. ANd, I have to say, that I have never felt more beautiful, more spectacular, more loved than I do right now. When I look in the mirror now, I don't cringe as often; I actually find myself smiling. It's amazing what unconditional love can do for a person.
Every time I have to go away on business, there is a letter waiting for me in my bag. Each time I return, there is one waiting for me in the mail. He actually will take the time to mail it, like when he was courting me. (Did I say courting? Yes I did. He courted me :) ) I get a smile each and every time. And my heart dances with such joy. I have every letter he has ever written me, and he has all of mine. Too many to count! My birthday is the sixth of September, and we have plans to celebrate with a dinner he has prepared, and the first song he ever played for me: Etta James' At Last.
Along with Champagne, and one of my special cheesecakes! (If you only knew--I wouldn't make one for him until after we were married! Yes! It's that potent!)
Romance is defenitely in the eye of the beholder. For this former hider: it lies within the unconditional love, and letters from a very loving husband.
My husband of 41 years did the most wonderful thing for me on our 25th Anniversary he called me at work and told me that he wanted to do something really special for our anniversary and to go home and get ready for a date and he would pick me up and take me somewhere really special. He picked me up and took me to our favorite restaurant which was in a near by town. He had made reservations for us and we had a special meal and after that was over the waitress bought a silver tray with a rose and small gift on it! I opened this gift and it was a 1 carat diamond ring! I almost fell off my chair! I could not believe he would surprise me in such a wonderful way. Every time I look at my ring I think about that night and the plans he made for me in such a wonderful, special way!
The most romantic things, I believe, happen naturally, without effort, even in the worst of circumstance. About twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I had always wore my hair long, and I always knew that Kenny liked it that way. I had also been thin. When I went through chemotherapy, because of the steroids, and the adverse reaction they caused in me, I gained to 212 pounds. I lost all of my hair. I was scarred from portocaths and major surgery. I felt like I had lost everything that made me feel feminine and desirable . . . . that is until Kenny looked at me. He would rub my bald head and love me with all the passion, and even more than he ever had. He looked at me as if I was still his nineteen year old bride. We are celebrating our twenty-fifth anniversary and he still looks at me in a way that makes me know, to him, I am beautiful. Though I am older, I will never be to him.
Well, I am not sure if my story is as exciting as the ones above, but it is important to me. I am not currently in nor have I every been in what I would call a committed relationship, but I had a very romantic moment a few months ago. I was upset over a variety of issues including adjusting to find out that my ex-boyfriend is gay, and finding out that my plans to teach overseas had fallen through. So I was in a "Where do I go from here" mood. I was emotionally overloading on a wonderful friend of mine as we were exiting the ballroom dancing establishment that we frequent on Friday evenings. As we hugged goodbye which is our usual custom, he just held me close to him for several minutes;I am not sure how long we silently embraced, that number is unimportant. A few minutes later he wispered"If I am making you uncomfortable, just knee me in the groin". I said I was pefectly fine. So we just stood there, in our embrace, for a few moments more before saying goodbye for real this time as we both had to get up early on Saturday. As I reflect on this moment, I must always remember that no matter where this may lead, that intimate moment was just what I needed.
Well it happened last year on my parents anniversary my dad planned a major suprise for my mom we all were in it all my siblings .My dad bought my mom a fake ring and put it in a gorgeous Tiffany's jewelry box put it in the bag and then dressed up in a way I can't describe my mom was preparing something in the kitchen and he came down and did this whole ceremony for her where he put the bag in her hands and let her to the family room where we all followed to watch he had her sit down and asked her to open the box she did and when she saw the fake ring her face was puzzled she said thank you but didn't get it from behind his back he pulled out the real box with the ring which he and my siblings had gone to pick up earlier in the day they choose the ring a while back but I couldn't go becuase of classes I had in college. Well she saw the box and she gave him this romantic look and opened it was she surprised or what wow thats the most romantic thing I've ever seen. In fact that was also the most romantic thing my dad had done that I had seen!
While I was walking through Boston, enjoying the beautiful harbor, but lonely, my cell phone rang and it was Mark! He had hopped on the next flight out, said he couldn't spend the day without me and that he would follow me anywhere around the world!
Tears came to my eyes to think that a lonely day turned into the most beautiful because of his love and thoughtfulness.
His love for me is the most romantic part of who he is. And needless to say I love him too.
I'm envisioning bike rides in the park, walking along moon lit beaches, dinner out or dinner in, and the like. But, I gotta convince my partner that this is the best thing to do. You see, she's not seeing this romantic angle. I'm trying as many spontaneous and surprise things as possible to win her heart back, like I did many years ago.
A romantic prize pack - I can't go wrong (I think).
I would have to say that the most romantic thing that I have ever done was a Valentine's Day. I took a mental health day from work and created this awesome dinner with some great wine to do with it. Then I went and I put on the my favorite album from Harry Conic Jr. I waited for when my partner would arrive home from work and I greeted him at the front door with a glass of wine and a red rose.
Edwin
He called me on Sunday. We went out on our first date on Monday. We have been together every day since!
On Labor Day weekend of 1998 (just over 4 months later), Jeff invited me to go with him to Atlanta to visit his brother and his wife. We flew down and Jeff seemed really jumpy about our luggage. I thought he was just being a little strange. He took me to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. At the end of the meal he pulled out an engagement ring and asked me to marry him! I accepted with tears in my eyes! (No wonder he had been so worried about the luggage - the ring had been inside!) We were married two months later in a gorgeous private ceremony.
Here it is 9 years later and we are more in love now than we were then! We have a wonderful 4 year old son and my older son, from a previous marriage, lives with us too. I know some people worried that we were rushing into it, and that we didn't know each other well enough...But we did! We knew that we had found our soulmates!! And I thank God every day for this man!
Romance is not the big things you do for each other. Romance is the little things that you do for each other every day.
The first one, was the way he propsed to me. I knew it was coming, I just didn't know when. My ring had been on lay-away and I knew it was close to being paid off. After church, he told me to change. I didn't know what we were going to do, so I put on some long pants, and a long sleeved shirt, with tennis shoes and asked him if this was fine. He said yes. He had planned a picnic, and drove out to a metro park near his house. We just sat in the beat up blue pick up truck, stared at the lake. Then he looked at me. I said,"you look happy." He said I am, then asked me to marry him.
Another time, he bought me a huge bunch of wildflowers when I got looked over for Secretary's day, at my new place of employment. They are still the prettiest flowers I have ever recieved.
A couple of years ago, he went to get our new tags, for our license plates. He walked in with a smile on his face. I aked him, what ws up. He handed me a piece of paper, and he told me he bought me customized plates. I really had no idea, and it was a personal, unexpected gift. It was almost as good as a diamond ring.
He has done many special things on a daily basis. I don't think he sees this as romantic, but, on a day that I am tired, and he cooks dinner and does the dishes, thats what I need and he fill sit for me. I think that is what romantic is.
Even with my skeptism and relative contentment with my life, I did on occasion miss male conversation and just having a man's point of view on certain subjects. However, I didn't want the involvement of a one-on-one relationship. Nor did I feel I had time for it! I was willingly working two jobs to purchase and furnish a home I could finally call all my own. Had I wanted a relationship, there would have been no time for it. So, to satisfy my latent desire for male companionship without the baggage, I got into the habit of talking on a chat line. Was this ever a revealing experience! Although I advertised myself as someone looking for friendship only, I was amazed at the conversations that ensued; everything from men wanting phone sex to men who wanted to talk incessantly about their failed relationships. However, in the midst of all of that, one evening I was lucky to chat with a man who seemed too good to be true. He was my age, loved the same things I did and blessedly was in no hurry to become involved in a relationship beyond conversation. We talked for around six months before he made a gentle request that perhaps we should meet. It took me another three months before I agreed to meet him for dinner. I was so afraid....not that I would be disappointed in him (I already knew he was someone I wanted in my life) but that he would be disappointed in me. We had not exchanged photographs, so neither of us had any idea what the other looked like. Honestly, I didn't care. The nine months of conversation, late at night when we would talk about our day, our families, our interests and values brought us closer than any number of real-life dates could ever accomplish. There was no pretense nor need for it.
We met for dinner that night; were married four years later (okay, so I remained overly cautious). We are now sharing grandchildren, plans for retirement and day to day life. I have no need to talk on the phone late at night or to work two jobs. I am in love for the first and last time. That I can say with conviction!!!
this is a great idea that you came up with.~10 from me
I doubt i will win but i am a hopeless romantic..
i like things simple and i give simple (well,depends on the mood)
I think that if 2 people are in love spending time together no matter what we are doing is romantic to me..but to give an example
I live in vegas with my girlfriend and family..my girlfriend is from PA and was living in maryland when i met her..she is a divorced beautiful woman whom i love and has 2 chidlren from her previous marriage.
her ex has custody but by mutual choice only..
anyhow.she at one point was saddened that she was away from them and i helped raise them myself so i knew the feeling.
to get to the romantic part.
.while she was at work on a partoicular day,i had a surprise for her..
i got out her childrens pictures..bought some candles and flowers..
i made the bed...laid some of her childrens pictures on the bed in particular way...laid rose petals around them with the rest of the flowers in a vase and i lit candles around the room as i heard her pull up in the drive..i also laid her favorite nightgown across her pillow for her .
i had ordered chinese food which unfortunately didnt arrive til 20 minutes after she got home,but it still cheered her up.
anyhow.i pampered her that evening and we just sat down,ate dinner and i made her a bath to relax in.i told her to relax and enjoy the bath and when she got out,she dried off.unrobed and i perseeded to give her a body massage.
after which we just lay in each others arms as she fell off to sleep,with a smile on her face.
to us that was very romantic,it wasnt about sex,it wasnt about release.it was about 2 people who love each other and one trying to make the other smile.
this was one of the most romantic evenings we have had.i didnt think of myself,i thought of how sad she was and i attempted to remedy that if only for one evening.
she loved this day as much as i did for she did give me a romantic kiss and told me she loved me when she saw everything layed out.
well,i know i dont have a shot,but thanks for reading
I want happy endings. I want smiles on all the faces and love in all the hearts. I want couples who meet and fall in love at first sight. Yes, it does happen! I am living proof, and have been happily married to a wonderful man for twenty-five years.
What is romantic to me? Simple things: a yellow rose on my birthday because he remembers that it's my favorite flower. Opening the car door and helping me out, even though I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself. Scooting my chair in when I sit at a table, or any small gesture that shows he thinks I'm a lady, even if I don't always act like one. A warm shoulder to cry on when I'm upset, and someone who understands I may be yelling, but I'm not mad at when I'm venting.
Romance isn't always about sex, but about being in love and finding ways to show the other person how much you love them. I really like what Christopher K. described. That was really sweet and probably just exactly what was needed. Way to go, Chris! (Please give my husband detailed directions, I want that evening too.)
Many years have passed and I moved back here from the "Big City" to the Valley and began to look up old friends, and here was Steve in the phone book, still at the same place with a new girlfriend after a divorce. What was so romantic was he said, "Wow! Ellen. My daughter just brought a box of pictures over from the old house from when I was married, and inside was a picture of that horse! You were the first person I thought of , so tender was that time, and now here you are!" Now that is being remembered, and, he also set the stage in my heart , and the bar, really high for showing heart and romantic gestures, He could have just rode a bike to see me. First love's are always so bittersweet, as you know you are going to grow and part, but the birth of romance and personal passion are born in these moment, back in time. Ellen b
I hate that modern pop music is more about sex than love. You don't have to shake your hips like Shakira or reveal as much as Britney Spears to be a sexpot.
My favorite love song is "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. The lyrics are highly romantic and the Righteous Brothers take me back to my college days and holding a girl in my arms as we danced. Once I was dancing with a new girlfriend and I got so carried away by the warmth of her body against mine that I got completely lost in the moment and I told her that I loved her right then and there. Uh-oh, she had a boyfriend at another college! That was a mess.
Strangely enough my wife and I feel deeply in love during a snowstorm. She had an assignment for her college teaching class, which she had to complete at the Boston Museum of Science. It was January and there was a snowstorm. So we trudged through a foot of snow to the museum. Then back to my apartment for some cocoa and cuddling. Then I tried to take her back to her mom's through the worsening snowstorm. My car got stuck several times, but I was her knight in shining armor and finally got her back.
As we dried off at her mom's I remember this incredible hazy, light headed feeling coming over me. Soon we were exchanging I love yous. The feeling persisted and a few montha later I proposed and she said yes. During the "courtship" period, I remember cuddling with her as we listened to music. Our favorite was Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini," there is a part where the music wells up. I can still hear it in my head now. It seemed to us as a rebirth of love.
But, that was many years ago. Now she has just gone off to work while I struggle to find a job as an accountant. Reality sucks. :(
Here is the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/v/4SyEP9P5Kkw
Now, thats the real deal. :)
Twenty-five years ago my husband and I met just before Thanksgiving at a Parents Without Partners party; I was a parent without a partner, he was the DJ playing the music.
It was love at first sight. Yes, it does happen!
I was Christmas shopping with Fred to buy gifts for the boys. He led me over to the Macy's jewelry counter and "casually" asked if I could pick any ring there, which would it be. (My heart was beating so fast; it was exciting to be shopping for jewelry because my former husband had never once done so!) I pointed to a simple ring with a single ruby embraced by two small diamonds on each side. When I looked at him, my heart sank as he seemed to have lost interest.
On Christmas morning, Fred and I and my two young sons were gathered at the tree. They were busy drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top, eating homemade sugar cookies, and decorating their ears, noses and hair with ornaments. I was busy trying not to be noticed as I scanned under the tree for a little black box. I finally saw a box for me from Fred, but it was a large one. Oh, well, maybe next year, I thought.
When it came to my time to open a gift, I opened the large box from Fred, and pulled out a full-length pink down coat. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it was certainly practical.
I kept searching through the tissue and I tried to hide my disappointment that no little black box was inside the big one.
Fred asked me to try the coat on. Oh, I thought, I should be grateful at getting this practical coat, so I put my arms in each slot, buttoned it up, then put my hands in the pockets spinning to model it. As I did so, my fingers touched something small and hard inside. My hand pulled out a little black box out and my "grateful for something practical" turned into "Oh my God, I am so excited, you're going to be so happy tonight!" It was the ring!
I lost the ring I so cherished the next year when I traveled from California to Oregon to my sister's funeral (she died of breast cancer), but Fred and I have spent 25 years "romancing" in big and not so big ways. I wouldn't trade a thing.
If people have to ask where the romance has gone then they are overlooking the not-so-obvious daily gifts right in front of their eyes.
Romance is:
• an ear at the end of your day, even if it's for a few minutes;
• two feet that walk the dog on weekend mornings so you can sleep in;
• hands that fix dinner now and then so you don't have to cook 7 days a week;
• an aching back that goes to work every single day (even though it could be on disability) so the bills can be paid;
•a sense of humor that makes you laugh even when you're grouchy;
• and a soul that sees all the goodness in yours and knows what you are really capable of —and expects no less.
I love being married to my romantic friend.
My best days seem to have been
With you and
Not with you.
When I feel the need for solitude
You can live with being alone
Together.
And I the same with you.
Systole, diastole
The everyday heart.
To read, to write.
To paint and to be painted.
To go away, come back.
Renewing Renewed.
Some years, we have stopped together
To gently press the bad days into good.
and kill any fatted calves
That have wandered into the vicinity.
I am lucky for there is romance too.
The sweetness only hummingbirds,
Honey bees and chocolate makers know
As you and I suspend the words and
Laughing,
Fly
The moment
Like a pinfeather fledgling,
Like a silly drunken kite
Breaking away from its string.
NH
This takes place before we were married. I was divorced and had a three year old son living with my father and younger siblings in southern Missouri in the Ozark country. He was a special education teacher and farmer in central Minnesota. He was my brother's best friend in college.
He had been counseling me, before I moved to Missouri, after my divorce on how to put my life back together. Not able to put in practice my legal secretary degree in southern Missouri and needing to support myself and my son, I had opted to join the Marines. When he had heard that it was my goal to join the Marines, he was concerned what that choice might mean for my son and I.
One morning on his way to his local bank, he parked along side the road and walked into a grove of trees and knelt down and prayed. He asked the Lord why He would not send a good man for me and my son. Any man would be lucky to have her. She's beautiful, kind, and loving. He then prayed, "Please God, Can't you do this for her?"
He heard a still small voice that stated, "What's the matter with you? Aren't you a man?"
He got up, went to the car, turned around, went back to the farm, said "no" to his mother's plan to meet and entertain his millionare uncle, wired flowers, and drove twelve hours straight to my father's home in hopes of encountering me. I was not there. So, he patiently waited the entire day until I arrived home.
It was at this point he said to me that I need someone in my life and I have to get it off my chest and tell you how much I love you.
We have just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary! God is so good!
Foot note: No, he did not receive an inheritence when his millionaire uncle died. What a sacrifice. Love and romance often are built on great sacrifices.
So what exactly am I saying? I wish someone could tell me. I guess I'm wondering where all of these wonderful and delightful women came from. And furthermore, why am I only now realizing that they exist, as I contemplate ever more bizarre methods of pretending that most of my hair is still extant in this world, and that the differential between my waist and my inseam can still be represented by the digits of one hand. (Thank you, those of you who at first thought that I must be growing ever taller.) Some of the most striking women I've met in recent years are fully, exhuberantly silvery gray haired beauties, with no qualms or apologies for their acceptance of who they are. Why should they feel otherwise, as I'm certain that they continue to turn heads every bit as much as they did in their less mature days.
Romance. That's what this is supposed to be about, isn't it? Well, if finding the world to be even more abundantly blessed with the beauty and charm of the feminine kind is a form of romance, albeit not entirely reciprocated, then I find romance everywhere I go. I honestly don't feel lecherous in my enjoyment of this, because I'm not lusting or fantasizing about women in a physical way (not ALL the time, anyway.) I find that the pure joy of suddenly catching my breath when a beautiful woman comes into view, perhaps in an attractive dress, or simple jeans and a t-shirt, is one of life's true pleasures.
I'm sure that I've completely missed the original point of your post. Indeed, I've strayed from the original point of my comment, whatever it was. I'm sorry for the ramble, but thank you for reminding me of the simple joy of contemplating romance. Who knows? Maybe someday contemplation will lead to consumation (consummation?) And to all of the wonderful women who brighten the day, I offer an appreciative thank you... I shudder to contemplate a world without you.
(Just imagine how romantic I'll be in my eighties, when just about every woman will be a "young babe!")
I never thought love was going to find me. But in my mid-thirties, Deb came along.
We lived together for about four years. Being too proud for my own good, I refused to marry her until I had a secure job to support a family.
When I bought a bar, I was set to ask for her hand. Up until that time, we had not concieved a child that we both wanted. I was sure that was my fault.
But because I didn't want to live without Deb, I thought we could adopt.
I had desided to ask her to marry me on either valentine's day or her birthday, which was March 15th.
But God must have know my intent. One Tuesday, Deb called me froma phone booth and told me we were pregnant!!! The child would be born in late August or September. I figured I wouldn't wait the year I had panned to wait, and I would pop the question that valentine's day and we'd get married in June.
Debby had no idea. We went to dinner on valentine's day, with my sister Sue (whose birthday is was) and her husband Ron.
I had it all set up. When we sat down to eat our salad, I had arranged for a young lady from the local university to come to the table and play her violin, while I got down on my knee with ring in hand.
The musice was a bit loud so I wasn't sure what I was saying, but Deeby's eyes were filling with crocadile tears and she was shaking her head "yes," so I think I was asking the right questions.
I had recently been transferred from Hickam AFB in Honolulu, HI to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX. Just before the move, I broke up with my boyfriend of over two years. It was a hard time and even harder with the move. I was a single mom in the Air Force and my son's father had taken off while I was pregnant. I decided to dedicate myself to my son and forget about men and dating. Of course, when you're not looking.....
I enjoyed two-stepping and spent about one evening a week at a local country bar in Wichita Falls. I meet many men there, but was determined to stay just friends. Then one night I meet a special guy. He was ok with the just friends thing, and very patient. We were friends for about a year. He traveled from Fort Sill, OK each weekend to spend time with my son and I. He was always the perfect gentleman and never put any pressure on me to be more than friends....That's probably why I fell in love with him. That and the day my son woke up with chicken pox...instead of freaking out or running for cover, he got up with my son, took him into the kitchen, found some itch relief cream, and then the tow of them proceeded to cook me breakfast and serve it to me in bed!! It was a very memorable occassion and just cemented our relationship.
We have been married almost 14 years now and have two additional sons together. I got a dozen red roses each time we found out we were pregnant. He is still my best friend and a wonderful daddy to all our boys. He is the only father my oldest son, now 18 and a senior in high school, has ever known. They still surprise me once in a while with breakfast in bed....
Thank You for ALL of the Romance you bring into People's Live's! Especially Mine!!! I wish I could have that One Special Romantic Nite with My Husband, Stephen! You See, We have 6 Children, and have been taking care of my Parents also, And Don't even get to stay or sleep in the same Bed or Bedroom Anymore! :( It's been a long ong time, but Our Love Keeps us Together! :) My husband & I and Our 6 Children, All 10 of us live in a Ranch Home, That Belongs to My Mom & Dad, But, We cannot even spend 5 minutes alone together! :( Oh, How I wish, Just One Nite, after 11 Yrs. Of Marriage could be Magical Again, If even only for 5 Minutes!!! :)
All My Love,
Your Friend,
Susan XOXO.......