Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! I’m sure you're already seeing Valentine’s Day themed candy, gifts, and cards in stores.  Valentine’s Day can be a fun day when you’re in love, have a crush, and/or secret admirer.  Many of us that celebrate Valentine’s Day can get caught in the commercialization of the day; when truthfully any day, every day is a great day to express love to your loved one.

My husband and I do celebrate Valentine’s Day, however we do not put as much emphasis on February 14th as we did when we were dating. Over time we have naturally learned more about each other and do our best to celebrate our love every day not just one "special day."  We do our best to get more and more creative in finding ways to express our love, appreciation, and admiration for one another. A part of that expression of love includes Romance! I love romance and he loves making me smile, so exploring new ways to be romantic is always fun in our relationship. The best part of that romance is that it is not a one way street.  We are both romantic with one another. Don't be afraid to be the one to initiate romance in your relationship if it is lacking.

Romance.  What exactly is romance? Romance is everything you do in the name of love.  Romance is falling in love with your significant other over, over and over again.  Romance is all the things you do to keep your man/woman smiling, happy, and loved.  Romance is creative, imaginative, limitless, and selfless when done in love.  Love and romance go together.  Love feels good by itself, but when you add romance it takes it to a whole new level! Romance re-ignites the passion and deepens the intimacy in your relationship.

The truth is not everyone is romantic, but that does not excuse us from being romantic with our loved one.  You can find romance in nature, books, the Internet, music, your imangination, suggestions from friends & family, etc.  As we are getting closer to Valentines's Day I want to share a few things that you and/or your loved one can do to bring some romance to your relationship over the next month.  I give to you A Month of Romance!

"A Month of Romance"

1.) Send a Love Letter 2.) Share something that you dream of for the two of you 3.) Make a love making music play-list 4.) A picnic at home by the fireplace 5.) A surprise date night 6.) Mail a greeting card to him/her at their workplace 7.) Have dinner catered at home (or hire a chef for dinner) 8.) Make Love by candlelight 9.) Breakfast in Bed 10.) Handmade coupon of love book 11.) Give a gift card to their favorite coffee or juice bar 12.) Watch your favorite or a new love story together 13.) Send him/her a bouquet of their favorite flowers 14.) In-home couples massage 15.) Have a warm towel fresh from the dryer waiting for him/her after their shower

16.) Watch the sunset together 17.) Explore something new to love about him/her 18.) Tell him/her about that new thing that you love about him/her 19.) Share a fond memory with him/her from when you two first began dating each other 20.) Give a new compliment 21.) Send his/her mother/father a thank you card 22.) Give a surprise/just because gift 23.) Make him/her a calendar filled with memorable pictures 24.) Place a love note in his/her lunchbox 25.) Bubble Bath 26.) Find new places to write I Love You 27.) Send a flirty text 28.) Complete one of his/her chores unexpectedly 29.) Kiss longer 30.) Hug longer and tighter

Go now and be romantic! Enjoy.