Romance

Like most women, I love romance.  Over the years I've grown away from reading the steamy romance novels and watching movies that raise my expectations too high, but I have not lost my girlish desire to be swept off my feet every once in awhile...  As little girls, many women are introduced to the idea of romance in the movies and television we watch - Disney has cornered the market on impossible romance... the kind that beats all odds and finds our two heroes living happily ever after when evil has been vanquished and all other obstacles are swept aside.  We even learn about romance in the books read to us as little girls, and our elders constantly tell us how we'll grow up and find true love one day...  It's no wonder we expect too much of our men as we get older! 

Realistically, we do fall in love and then crash hard the first time we have a boyfriend.  All our girlish fantasies and expectations are usually squashed in our teens...  some of us are lucky and do find prince charming, but for most of us, this time in our lives is education for romance.  We learn that men as a general rule don't have the prince charming gene programmed into their DNA, and in the beginning of relationships they are much more romantic than later on...  It's really not hard to please a woman when it comes to romance.  All we need is small gestures showing you think about us and know who we are.  Reassurance is something all women need - and for most men, this idea seems silly and unnecessary.  What they don't understand is that women are full of doubt and insecurities - even the ones that seem to be confident and independent - we are all little girls at heart and need reassurance every once in awhile that our man still thinks we are the one for them.  As emotional creatures, women enjoy knowing their men still love them through actions - not always words.  Saying "I love  you" is so easy over time... it is a conditioned phrase when a couple has been together for awhile.  Think outside the box and show her in actions how much you love her... plan a romantic dinner for two, a getaway to some secluded resort, do something around the house she's been asking for without letting her know, buy her that something special she's been talking about for months but would never purchase for herself.... etc.  It usually doesn't take grand gestures... just something that expresses your love and shows you listen to her and care about her thoughts and desires. 

Women can be complicated, but when it comes to romance, we are pretty much all the same.  We don't have to have it, but it sure is nice every once in awhile.  Listen to your woman now and then.... if you have to, write down ideas and keep them in a safe place to consult periodically when you want to do something special.  This is also good for gift ideas... women are constantly saying things like, "Oh, I would love to have that", or, "Wouldn't it be nice to be able to afford that?", or, "I've always wanted one of those!"  Write these things down and I guarantee you'll never go wrong on Christmas or Birthday gifts again!