Whether it’s been a few months or a few years, keeping romance alive without resorting to clichés isn't always easy. Our five-step guide for the romantically challenged is here to help learn how to be romantic.
For his second wedding anniversary, Harris opted for something more original. “I gave [my wife] a series of hand-written letters, each one sealed in its own envelope and tied with a piece of ribbon,” he says. “I told her that she was only allowed to open one whenever she was having a bad day. The idea was that my words would help cheer her up throughout our third year together whenever things got stressful or overwhelming.” 3. How to be romantic: Take the initiative
Cindy Myers, a fourth year psych student at the University of Toronto, thinks that many people have trouble being romantic because there are no specific guidelines or absolute rules surrounding the subject.
“[Some people] need talking through it,” says Myers, speaking from experience. With one college boyfriend, she ended up arranging everything for “his” romantic date nights to her—right down to what he would wear for the evening—because he kept asking what she wanted. “When you’re forced to throw out pointers, it doesn’t seem so romantic after that,” she says.
Romantic effect often relies upon the element of surprise. After all, you’re hoping to achieve emotional impact—and what kind of impact is possible if you can see it coming from miles away? That doesn’t mean that you need to whisk your beloved away to an exotic resort in Barbados (although, we always endorse that!) Just look for ways to show that you care. Be spontaneous. Be affectionate. And trust us, being romantic on otherwise ordinary days (ie., not anniversaries or birthdays) is a sure way to earn extra points.
Keep reading for even more romantic tips that will make your partner swoon on the next page...
