Romantic Antics

Last night, the kids went to bed early and I got to spend some quality time with my husband. Very rarely do we get alone time together to just hang out, so we take every opportunity we get. I'm extremely blessed because I married a pretty romantic man. Let me elaborate on why he's considered romantic, he just runs with my corny ideas, no hesitation.  He does sweet thoughtful things all the time, I won't take away from that, but his participation in my antics is what really melts my heart.  I'll share a few of them with ya'll.

2nd & Charles (or Mr. K's Bookstore or any secondhand bookstore).Yesterday we traded a few DVDs that we don't watch for store credit. (2nd & Charles also takes books, games, & tablets.)  Then we roamed the store and found a book of our own, and a few books to read together. This was my husband's idea & I loved it! I recently started a book club, that completely fell through. He remembered that, and said we were going to have our own book club. Together, we picked the books City of the Sun and The Last Good Man.  We begin reading Monday, and we have a week to finish each book.   

Last night, when the kids were sleep, we played a game I made for us about a year and a half ago. I named it "Us, Me, or You". (To keep this post from droning on I will actually post the game and instructions tomorrow: so you can make it yourself if you want.) But there are also plenty of couples games or just board games you can play.  You can get two decks of cards in a pack from Dollar Tree. A little intimacy mixed with competition is pretty fun. 

We're also supposed to be trading a box of letters, drawings. &/or cards. He keeps finding my letters laying around the house so my box is empty, and I am 100% sure that he has not written one thing. So we've arranged to trade them for Christmas.  It'll give us both 3 months to fill up our boxes with corny romance. (One day he had a box, I asked what was in it, and he said letters to you. I got all excited, and he informed me that he was joking. I then replied we now have to trade a box of letters.  So he got himself into this one on his own!) 

A dance in the backyard. We were actually supposed to dance on the balcony the night of the fire, with the sounds of the sea in the background it would've been so romantic. But I think a dance on the back deck under the moon and the stars will be just as beautiful. I don't care where we are, as long as I get my dance.  Add a few drinks or a meal and some candles and they will totally create some ambiance.

The jar of love, that we often forget & then remember about. It's got little deeds in it. Kiss forehead, run bath water, one dance together, pick a day to cook dinner*, pick a movie, ask about day, rub feet, massage back, sexual acts, draw a picture, write a note, sing to me, paint my toes/get your toes painted, dance for me, pick a day and a craft to do on that day*, give me money, take photos together, sappy social media post, send photos, send a sweet text, send a flirtatious text, compliment, pick a board game, hug, rub head, fix dinner plate, kiss cheeks, offer to help with something, etc. etc. Unfortunately, our jar is in storage right now, but I'm working on finding it.  It made every day slightly romantic AND it made me a less selfish partner. With this: I wrote deeds on scraps of paper, folded them, and put them in a jar. We'd alternate days picking out of the jar.  Whoever is the one picking is the one doing the deed, and they have to have it completed (*planned) within 24 hours. 

A false birthday party. I recently blogged about this one.  I made my husband feel special and loved and got on his nerves all at once: it was awesome! And the kids can get involved in this one too (if you want).  The most romantic part about this is, they know you've been thinking about them all day! 

Jeffrey's also been talking about exercising together. We've done it together, twice . The first time he laughed at me. The second time, he had the boys crying and breaking a sweat, because the walk was so tiring; it was awful and hilarious at the same time. Obviously, he pushes a whole lot harder than any of us do.  But there's a difference, this time, we're planning on doing different things for different reasons; we're just doing them together.  I'm planning on doing yoga and dance, while he lifts weights and works his body. I'm doing it for relaxation, energy & fun, and so I can spend time with him.  He's going to do it to tone his body and clear his mind. We also plan to begin walking around the neighborhood as a family (but I'll definitely have the stroller handy for when the boys get tired).  We will benefit from this activity as individuals, as a couple, and as a family. So I'm pretty excited to start this stinky, sweaty, romantic-ish family activity. And I am already prepared for him to drive me crazy during walks, but it'll still be pretty fun talking junk to each other. 

Video games. I don't care too much for them.  But he'll buy those video games that are made like a movie, where he has to choose actions, & he lets me decide what to do. Even if I pick something that'll probably get him killed- he goes with it. I have the power, & I find this entertaining. It's not romantic, but we're spending our time together & we're both enjoying the video game- which is something he loves! So I'll take it! 

Movies and drinks. For some reason, I really enjoy the comedies lately. Depending on the show or movie, pick a word or action and drink on it. We used the word "f**k" on the movie Train Wreck. And this party game just gets better the lamer the movie. We shall play this game again tomorrow night with The Brothers Solomon DVD that I bought from Dollar Tree.  We are gonna drink at every "joke" funny or not. The goal isn't to get drunk or tipsy either, it's just to enjoy the movie & have fun. I could do this with lemon or pickle juice and still have a great time! 

Mail a letter or a card.  How simple, right? Like send it in the mail with a weird return address; it's a fun surprise. 

Pop-up on lunch break.  That had to be my favorite thing when I was working.  Seeing him outside when I took the trash before break just made my heart skip a beat.  

The idea of romance is really what you make it.  I am easily moved and woo-ed by everything my husband does.  He is an amazing man, anything he does that lets me know he thinking of me makes me feel good.  The act of pursuing each other is the greatest (and most fun) way for us to keep the spark in our relationship.  When we were both working and with children, our relationship took a backseat.  It took realizing and stealing any moment we could, but we created a completely different, but absolutely beautiful romance  and I wouldn't change a thing.