In the days before cell phones and LCD screens, lovers professed their romantic feelings for each other by dipping quills in ink and penning poetic love letters accented by elaborate script and even the occasional teardrop stain. The most prolific romantics–like the fictional, lovesick Cyrano de Bergerac–spent long hours coming up with romantic ideas and authoring flowery testaments to their objects of affection before sealing parchment with rose-colored wax and sending the correspondence off with a courier as quickly as one could be found.
Old-fashioned romantic love notes . . . with a modern twist!
Whether by horseback, secret delivery in the dark of night, or even tied to the leg of a pigeon, the romantic love letters of long ago overcame obstacles of distance and oppression to reach their objects of affection. While hand-written messages of love are still a necessary and important part of healthy romantic relationships or marriages today, the contemporary romantic no longer needs to order a fresh bottle of ink or keep a courier on hand to deliver sporadic thoughts of love that innevitably pop up during the course of the day.
Some may complain that modern technology has made romance too cheap and easy, but digital innovation, if used sparingly, can help build a better, more romantic relationship with your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband.
Most people today have cell phones, but I’ve met far too many who are hesitant to try text messaging or who think they would have no use for it. Expecially in a romantic relationship, texting can provide an important, unique forum for you and your lover to communicate in a fun new way.
Skip the small talk . . . and get right to romance!
Instead of making a romantic relationship less personal, text messaging can actually increase the amount of communication by allowing couples to express feelings that they wouldn’t otherwise. If, for example, you have a sudden thought at work of a romantic moment you shared recently with your lover, in many cases you won’t have the time or the privacy to call and talk about it. But text messaging allows you to send a very brief, very private message to your lover without anyone around you having a clue.
In addition, text messaging lets us send little romantic sentiments to our lovers without having to surround our message with the empty small talk and uncomfortable pauses that might come with a phone call. Just a few short romantic words are all that are necessary in a text . . . but we would never dream of calling our lover, saying those same few words, then hanging up right away!
Put thought into what you send . . . but don’t overdo it!
So, what kind of romantic text messages should you send to your lover? That’s up to you. You could decide to send a snippet from a romantic poem or a flowery message every day, but often all that’s necessary is a simply “I love you” or “I’m thinking about you.” Even short, sporadic messages like that will show your lover that they are on your mind and help improve your relationship.
One thing to keep in mind, though: it is possible to overdo text messaging. Because it’s so easy to do, it can be tempting to send text after text during boring lulls in your day. Don’t give in to this urge; it can be expensive if you’re paying a few cents per text, and no matter how much in love someone is they can still get annoyed by too much romance. Try to limit yourself to a few romantic texts a day, and you’ll be amazed at the positive difference it makes in your relationship.
So what are you waiting for? Go plug in to a great new way of using technology to add more romance to your relationship today. Get texting!
In Romance Tracker’s last post, we learned that showing your romantic parter you love them is vastly more important than just saying you love them. There are a million different romantic ideas for ways to say “I love you” to your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband, and if you limit yourself to only the spoken word you’re missing out on a whole exciting world of romantic opportunity.
Romantic competition may be just what the doctor ordered!
While some forms of competition can have a negative effect on your relationship (competition that stokes jealous feelings should always be avoided), a little bit of romantic competition can bring you and your lover closer, teach you to interact together better, and add some spice to your relationship or marriage.
For couples who enjoy fitness activities and sports, occasional physical competitions and games can build your romance while helping you both stay in great shape. Something as rough-and-tumble as wrestling or football might be out of the question for some (but not all!) couples, but less dangerous competitive sports such as tennis, track, golf or handball might be the perfect answer to build your romantic relationship.
Romance and learning how to lose
Ideally, the sport should be one which doesn’t give one person an unfair advantage over another, so that both partners have a legitimate chance of coming out the winner. The point of adding romantic competition to a relationship isn’t to establish one person as physically or mentally superior to the other, but to learn how to better interact with each other and—gasp!—even how to deal with not being the winner. Give-and-take is a crucial part of any romantic relationship, and learning how to cope with not getting our way is an important part of romantic competition.
Getting beat by your lover in a romantic game of tennis is a great way to learn to shrug off the inevitable losses that come with any successful relationship . . . and you’ll quickly come to the conclusion that even though you may be losing in the short run, in the long run you’re winning by becoming a healthier, happier couple!
The list of possibilities for romantic competition is endless!
But romantic competition doesn’t have to be just physical. There’s an endless number of competitive games that couples can play while alone together or on teams with a group of friends.
Card games, board games, and even trivia can bring much-needed romantic competition to a relationship just as well as any physical sport. And while it may be tempting to always play on the same team as your romantic partner when with a group of friends, make sure you mix things up a bit by occasionally competing on different sides. Remember, the point of romantic competition is to teach you and your lover how to have fun with being the winner or the loser every now and then.
Romantic competition is a win-win situation!
You’ll be amazed at how much more exciting and healthy your relationship will become by adding some romantic competition at least once a week, whether physical or non-physical. And remember: whether you win or lose the game, you’re always winning by building a better, more trusting romantic relationship. Have fun!
Update: You can check out this great example of using romantic competition to better your relationship from Shoemoney, one of my favorite bloggers. Shoemoney and his wife are having a triathalon against each other, and the winner gets to choose what restaurant they will eat at for a month. What a great idea for building better relationships!
Some people are packrats by nature. I’m sure all of us have a relative who saves every last button and piece of string they come across for fear that they might need it someday! And believe it or not, when it comes to adding some good old-fashioned romantic ideas to your relationship or marriage, being a bit of a packrat can actually come in handy.
Saving souvenirs and keepsakes from romantic times you share with your significant other is a great way to keep a sort of physical journal of your relationship and have fun reminiscing in the future. You may not realize it, but there are tons of small, easily kept items that you and your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife probably come across every month that would make great romantic souvenirs.
I’m not saying that you should save every last receipt from every dinner you have together or that you should hoard the wrapping paper from every romantic gift you receive. That would be pretty ridiculous and boring to look back on! But more interesting items such as ticket stubs from movies and sporting events, a dried flower from a beautiful bouquet, or a shell from a romantic trip to the beach are all small, special things that are great to save.
What you do with these romantic souvenirs is strictly up to you, of course. You could easily keep them in a shoebox and create a sort of romantic time capsule that you could open up to reminisce with your sweetheart from time to time. Or, if you are more ambitious, you could use your romantic keepsakes to create a scrapbook of memories complete with pictures from the evens where you picked up your souvenirs.
Regardless of how you make use of the romantic souvenirs you collect, keeping a box of physical memories is a great way to add old-fashioned romance to your relationship. And when you open that box to look at your keepsakes together, you’ll love the wonderful reminders of the romantic and special times you’ve shared together.
Romantic touching is a vital element in every successful relationship, but far too often couples concentrate on just sexual expression when trying to come up with romantic ideas to introduce more physicality. The truly romantic couple, though, knows the importance of incorporating simple, frequent and random acts of touching throughout their day. A quick hug, a kiss on the cheek, and holding your lover’s hand are all extremely important parts of adding old-fashioned romance to your relationship or marriage.
The very best romantic ideas are the simplest ones, and you can’t get much simpler and meaningful than romantic hand-holding. Holding hands with your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband is something you can do anyplace and at any time. It’s profoundly powerful in showing your lover how much they mean to you, and is a tasteful way to be physical in public without seeming too clingy.
Few issues inspire more smiles from a young couple in love than seeing an elderly husband and wife holding hands during a walk in the park. “That’s going to be us someday,” they say with a grin. But if you’re really serious about introducing romance into your lives, why can’t that be you today?
Unfortunately, hand-holding has become less and less common in a world that emphasizes individuality and self-reliance in relationships. Some people might think that if they are seen holding hands with their significant other, they might be looked at as too sappy or dependant. While it’s true that some people might make that judgment, why in the world would you let anyone else decide whether or not you should add more romantic touching to your relationship?
Holding hands on a regular basis will make you more comfortable with each other, soothe your mood during stressful times, and is a great way to show the world how proud you are to be with your special someone. If you aren’t in the habit of holding hands with your sweetheart, today is a great day to start!
We’ve all seen it: two people who are madly in love and completely oblivious to everything around them, fawning over each other and calling each other pet names that make their single friends roll their eyes in pain. Heck, a few of us have probably even been that couple!
Let me get one thing straight: that kind of public display of affection isn’t one of the good old-fashioned romantic ideas we’re trying to promote on Romance Tracker. It’s one thing to be in love and be proud of it, but it’s another thing entirely to make everyone around you sick. Get a room, for crying out loud!
But having a secret, private pet name for your sweetheart really can be a good way to add a little fun and intimacy to your romantic relationship or marriage. Heck, even couples who promise themselves that they’ll never use sappy pet names usually use them eventually anyway! And here’s a warning: far too often, those cheesy pet names aren’t ones that we choose for ourselves. Sometimes we just have to loosen up a little bit, shrug our shoulders and learn to love whatever cutesy name our lover decides is best suited to us.
But remember: if you have to put up with sappy pet names from your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband you can choose a few of your favorites for them, too! Most pet names develop from unique experiences in individual relationships, and there’s no end of romantic nicknames that lovers have given each other. But there are a few stalwarts that have been whispered by countless lovers over the years.
So here’s a list of 101 of the most common fun, romantic pet names that you can use to flirt with your lover during those private times. Just choose carefully, and keep in mind that I say “private times” for a reason; bust out some of these sappy nicknames at the wrong time in public and you just might end up getting cold water tossed on you!
101 Fun, Romantic Pet Names to Call Your Lover
- Sweetie
- Sweetheart
- My love
- Lover
- Pumpkin
- Baby
- Darling
- Sweetie Pie
- Baby Doll
- My Little Cabbage (French)
- Love of my Life
- Angel
- Beloved
- Dear
- Dearest
- Dear one
- Deary
- Flame
- Heart’s Desire
- Honey Bun
- Poubelle
- Honeybunch
- Lamb
- Jewel
- Loveling
- Pearl
- Pet
- Precious
- Princess
- Prince
- My Sweet
- Sugar
- Treasure
- True Love
- Beautiful
- Beauty
- Gem
- Saint
- Light of my Life
- Object of my Affection
- Angel Face
- Babe
- Buttercup
- Button
- Cherub
- Chica
- Dumpling
- Little Angel
- Little Darling
- Little Doll
- Number One
- Prize
- Tootsie
- Doll Face
- My Idol
- My Everything
- My Life
- Object of My Affection
- True Love
- One and Only
- Inamorata
- Inamorato
- My Passion
- Valentine
- Dove
- Honey Bunny
- Smoochy
- Babycake
- Dream Girl
- Dream Guy
- Woman of my Dreams
- Man of my Dreams
- Dreamboat
- Heartthrob
- Lovebird
- Lady Love
- Main Man
- Main Woman
- Paramour
- Patootie
- Sweet Potato
- Squeeze
- Steady
- Stud Muffin
- Sugar Daddy
- Sugar Momma
- Shnookums
- Beautiful Flower
- Sugar Lips
- Hot Stuff
- Hottie
- Casanova
- Don Juan
- Lothario
- Beau
- Belle
- Sugar Plum
- Hero
- Venus
- Goddess
- My Enchantment
by romancetracker on January 7, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
When you ask many brides what the most important part of their wedding is, many of them would undoubtedly tell you that it’s the wedding dress or gown. Unfortunately, too many brides think that they have to spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress to make their wedding day special . . . and that’s simply not the case! Like every other item you shop for when it comes to your wedding, the gown is another that doesn’t have to be expensive to work.
No one is saying that you should go to Goodwill to buy your wedding dress (although there are undoubtedly plenty of people who do that, too!). But skipping the expensive, high-brow wedding dress stores for a more affordable discount gown outlet can be an extremely smart move. And for an even cheaper option, there are probably plenty of family members and friends who would love to let you use their wedding dress in your ceremony . . . and that would only cost you a few bucks to refit.
As you can see, there’s really no reason to have a wedding gown designer if you don’t have the money to do it. If a friend or family member wants to give you their wedding dress and it’s a little old-fashioned for your tastes, you can also get help from a tailor or talented seamstress to add some modern flair or updates to the dress and make it absolutely perfect for your walk down the aisle.
Don’t pay too much attention to the current wedding dress styles in the expensive wedding magazines or on the models walking down the catwalk. Instead, let your own taste be the judge of what your wedding gown will look like, and shop frugally to find the perfect dress for your shape and style. A subtle, inexpensive wedding dress can be every bit as beautiful as an extremely expensive gown, and with the money you save you can concentrate on a better honeymoon package!
Your wedding day will be one of the most memorable of your life, but that doesn’t mean that you have to spend thousands on a designer for your dress. Cheap and inexpensive wedding dresses are the perfect addition to many weddings, and your guests and groom will find you just as ravishing regardless the price tag on your gown.
by romancetracker on December 24, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
Far too often when planning a wedding, the bride and groom look at the larger picture to the detriment of the smaller things like wedding accessories and wedding favors. While things like the invitation list and reception are extremely important, it’s the smaller things, like flower arrangements, accessories and favors, that may stick out in the minds of your guests. Luckily, it’s not that hard to find cheap and inexpensive accessories and favors for your wedding.
There’s really no shame at all in going to a dollar store or discount outlet to look for a few inexpensive and fun wedding favors or accessories. My fiance is a very frugal shopper, and I’ve seen her take just a couple of bucks and find some really amazing favors and decorations for classy events. If you have good taste, you can pretty much turn anything you find at a discount store into fun, cheap wedding accessories and wedding favors. Just go to the store with optimism and an open mind!
Also, many weddings nowadays have “themes” that you can exploit to make some really great, fun, cheap accessories and favors. If your wedding has a Hawaiian theme, it’s easy to go to the dollar store and find lots of fun items for the reception tables and favor baskets. The same goes for any wedding theme, whether fun and goofy or serious and traditional.
The main thing to remember is that your wedding’s success really doesn’t hinge on just one aspect, such as the accessories and favors, but instead the “entire package” of the wedding. If there are a few kinks or problems here and there—or if a few guests have some small problems with your wedding favors and accessories—who cares? If you are satisfied with the way your wedding was put together, it is the opinion of the bride and groom that matter most.
So when looking for perfect cheap wedding accessories, don’t be afraid to shun the higher-priced items and instead look at discount favors and items. I guarantee that your guests probably won’t notice the difference, and you’ll still have a terrific wedding with lots of great memories!
by romancetracker on December 10, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
One of the most treasured—and amusing—traditions of weddings are the speeches, which usually take part in the reception and feature a sometimes inebriated friend, best man, relative or even bride and groom giving long and wordy toasts. If you need to write a wedding speech or give a toast at a wedding reception, it can be a nerve-wracking experience if you don’t enjoy speaking in front of people.
Luckily, there are plenty of resources online that can help you with free assistance in writing your wedding speech or toast, and a quick search on the Internet can lead you to the perfect words. There is really no shame in relying on an already-written wedding speech to express your feelings in a toast, and if you need help or are not a great writer then by all means draw on the experience of others!
If you have even the slightest writing skills, however, writing your own wedding speech for use in a toast at the reception is the better way to go. Whether you are the best man, a bridesmaid, or a friend of the bride or groom, the audience will simply appreciate it more if you inject some of your own genuine feelings and experiences into your wedding speech. Your wedding toast does not have to be dripping with sentiment, but the audience will be able to tell if you did it on your own.
I guarantee that no matter how badly you deliver your wedding speech, the audience and the bride and groom will be impressed if it truly comes from the heart. It’s important not to make a fool out of yourself, so don’t be tempted to drink too much before you give your wedding toast, even though you think it may relax you. Instead, give your wedding speech with a clear head, in a genuine tone, and be s confident as possible.
For some ideas of what to talk about when you give your wedding speech, think back on your time with the bride or groom and the significant moments you shared with them. Or, if you want, give examples that you have witnessed of the love that the bride and groom share together and why they will have a great marriage. The crown is guaranteed to love your wedding toast speech if you sprinkle it with true, and even amusing stories.
Keep you wedding speech brief and try not to overdo it or be too funny or crude. By staying tasteful, speaking from the heart, and telling the wedding reception audience about your experiences and memories of the bride and groom, you’ll deliver a great wedding toast. The happy couple will appreciate the effort you put into it, and the crowd will love the fact that you gave a genuine wedding toast speech from the heart.
by romancetracker on November 26, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
While some brides and grooms look at their wedding as a solemn event that is best had at a traditional location such as a church, still others are a bit more adventurous and tempted by unconventional marriages such as a Las Vegas wedding at a drive-through chapel. But before you jump the gun and consider buying a ticket to Las Vegas to say “I do” on the strip, consider a few reasons why it might be better to take some time to think about your wedding some more.
While a Las Vegas wedding package would be fun, is it really something that you want your children knowing that you did for your marriage? Granted, there are legitimate reasons for wanting to get married in Las Vegas in a quick wedding. If you must leave and won’t have time to get married later, if your are living in Las Vegas already, or perhaps if you have already been married before and don’t want to do the traditional family thing; all of these are good reasons to have a Las Vegas wedding.
If you really don’t need to get married on the fly, however, you should really chat with your fiance and ask them if it’s wise to go to Las Vegas for a wedding. Although it takes a little extra time and money, a traditional wedding is really a wonderful experience that a new husband and wife will remember for the rest of their lives. And you family and friends might not approve of a Las Vegas wedding, because it’s much more satisfying for them to see you and your spouse share your happiest times together.
If you decide that a Las Vegas wedding ceremony is right for you, at least keep an open mind and consider having a proper wedding at a later date in which all of your friends and family members can attend. At least then your families can get to know each other, see the bride and groom share their vows, and won’t have to buy a ticket for a Las Vegas wedding!
Regardless of whether you decide to choose a fast Las Vegas wedding at a drive-through chapel on the strip, or go the more traditional route of inviting friends and family to a church wedding, remember that the experience is one that will be in your memories for many decades. Do your wedding right, remain true to your heart, and you won’t fail!
by romancetracker on October 29, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off
In many ways, shopping for your wedding ceremony is common sense, and nothing illustrates this more than the necessity of always getting a wedding invitation sample before buying them. Your wedding invitations are often the first impression that people have of your planned marriage, and getting them right is vital. By asking to see wedding invitation samples before ordering them, you can help guarantee that there won’t be any bad surprises.
Asking to see a wedding invitation sample may seem like a pretty simple and silly thing, but you’d be surprised how many brides and grooms fail to do just that while planning their wedding. Many people simply look through a catalogue and order right away, rather than actually get their hands on a physical copy of a wedding invitation sample first.
By actually holding a sample of a wedding invitation in your hands, you may notice subtle differences that aren’t apparent in a catalogue. The paper weight, the gloss or sheen, and even slight characteristics of the font and script writing are all things you might notice from a wedding invitation sample that you wouldn’t see in a book or picture.
And that means that you need to find an actual brick-and-mortar wedding store or print shop in order to speak face-to-face with the people who will design and print your wedding invitations. Ask to see a sample or mock-up of your favorite designs, and compare them side-by-side to make your discussion. You simply can’t make these decisions from a catalogue, and having wedding invitation samples in front of you will help you make up your mind.
Never be afraid to ask a printer to see wedding invitation samples before you order them or pay, or you may end up making a decision you will regret. There’s no worse feeling than getting hundreds of wedding invitations and wishing you had gotten samples before buying!