It’s no secret that one romantic relationship is never exactly like another, and that the strengths and challenges present in your romance make it as unique as a set of fingerprints.  That’s why I don’t like the term “relationship expert.” The only real expert when it comes to your relationship is you and your significant other, and any romantic ideas you might find here or from similar sources will be useless unless it’s tailored to your relationship’s specific dynamics.

The importance of not having things in common

The uniqueness of your romantic relationship springs partially from external influences that you have little control over: your environment, the people around you, or even your health.  But the ingredients that play the biggest role in any romantic relationship’s success or failure are, without a doubt, the individual qualities of the partners themselves.

Have you ever really taken the time to identify the unique talents, quirks and interests that your sweetheart brings to your relationship?  Having things in common with your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend is very important to the success of a relationship or marriage, sure.  But letting your lover know that your appreciate and encourage their unique qualities–even if they are qualities that you will never share with them–can be just as important. 

Do you appreciate or tolerate?

Are you someone who understands and appreciates your sweetheart’s unique qualities, or someone who just tolerates or ignores those unique qualities?  A person is a conglomeration of each and every one of their interests, experiences, strengths and weaknesses.  Understanding those qualities, and appreciating how they have shaped the person you love, can give you much greater insight into how your relationship works . . . and how to improve it.

One of the great things about a romantic relationship is that a good partner inevitably broadens our horizons and makes us a more complete person.  Allowing yourself to learn from your sweetheart’s unique qualities and interests won’t just help you appreciate them more; it will also broaden your understanding and help you live a more fulfilling life.

Encourage individuality . . . and become closer!

And if your partner has are a few unique qualities or interests that you know you’ll never have in common with them, there’s nothing wrong with not joining them.  Even the perfect couple doesn’t have everything in common, and it’s healthy to have hobbies or pastimes that you can practice by yourself.    

Your sweetheart will inevitably have certain qualities or intersts that aren’t appealing to you.  But promise yourself to consider those qualities and appreciate how they make your lover who they are.  By helping your lover to be proud of their unique qualities, and by telling them that you appreciate those qualities, you’ll build a much more open, romantic relationship.

Ironically, by encouraging a certain amount of individuality in your romantic relationship, you’ll quickly discover that you and your sweetheart have more in common than you ever dreamed!                 

So you’ve already learned the secret to watching romantic movies with your significant other . . . but you don’t know what movie to pick for a fun date or a special, romantic night together and add romantic ideas to improve your marriage or relationship?

Look no further! Romance Tracker’s extensive poll on the most romantic movies of all time is finally complete, and the top ten picks may surprise you. It’s a pretty diverse list; some good-old classics, a few of modern titles, and multiple genres to boot. But all of them have a few important things in common: great writing, great originality, and great romance.

So look through the list, pick out a couple that sound good to you, and curl up on the couch with your sweetheart for a great night full of old-fashioned romance. Your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband will thank you for it . . . just make sure you don’t forget the popcorn.

And if you have your own opinion on a romantic movie you think should have been on our list, why not let our readers know by leaving a comment below?

The Top Ten Most Romantic Movies of All Time

1. Casablanca

The most romantic movie of all time has more than just romance; there’s also murder, mystery, patriotism, bar fights, and . . . dead Nazis! It just doesn’t get much better than that. And the final scene, when Rick gives Ilsa the famous “hill of beans” speech before sending her off with Victor, is probably the greatest example of selfless love in cinema history. If you don’t know what “we’ll always have Paris” means, you need to go rent this movie now.

2. Edward Scissorhands

Tim Burton has made some pretty weird doggone movies, but Edward Scissorhands is an amazing modern romantic fairytale. Everyone can relate to the story of a person whose heart aches for someone who they could never have, but Edward’s character embodies “so close, yet so far” like no other. How the heck can you hold the person you love when you have razor blades for fingers?

3. An Affair to Remember

Hollywood has rewritten this one a few times in recent years, but there’s still no substitute for the original. The final scene, when Nicky Ferrante sees his painting and realizes that Terry is paralyzed, is one of the greatest in cinematic history. If you make it to the credits without at least feeling some twinge of emotion, then you’re officially a sociopath.

4. The Princess Bride

This 1987 fairytale classic gets a little silly at times, but even with the bad jokes and midgets in rat costumes it still ranks up there as one of the greatest romance movies of all time. I don’t know if true love can really bring a man back from being “mostly dead,” but this movie sure makes you think it’s possible. As you wish!

5. Cyrano de Bergerac

Okay, there have been about a million movies made out of this classic, tragic story, and I’m sure they’re all pretty darn good. Even Roxanne, the modern version that stars Steve Martin as a big-nosed firefighter, isn’t too bad. But My favorite is the 1990 French version starring Gerard Depardieu, and if you can stand reading subtitles it’s one heck of a date movie.

6. Somewhere in Time

Okay, the idea of some dude using self-hypnosis to travel back in time is kind of lame, but once you get past that, this is a great romantic date movie. The idea that a person’s one true love might exist in a different time is pretty original, albeit depressing, and Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymore are great on screen together. And if Richard hadn’t left that damn penny in his pocket, they might have stayed that way.

7. Romeo and Juliet

Come on, I had to include this one on the list. It’s another romantic classic that has been done countless times on the big and small screen, with the most original probably being the modern version with Leonardo DiCaprio where everyone was walking around with automatic firearms. But the Romeo and Juliet on this list is referring to the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli version, so rent that one.

8. Braveheart

Yah, there’s a lot of blood and guts in this movie, but remember: William Wallace cut up all those Englishman because they killed his one true love. That, along with the fact that this is such an awesome movie, gives it a secure spot on the list of the most romantic movies of all time. So what if the title sounds like a Care Bear?

9. The Quiet Man

Not a lot of our generation has seen this movie, but believe me, they’re missing out. Just like “Casablanca,” “The Quiet Man” is more than just a romance movie; it’s also hilarious, has some great drunken brawls, and is about a boxer who is trying to run away from a past he’s ashamed of. And you can chalk up the kiss between John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, during the windstorm on in the field, as the best ever.

10. The African Queen

Yup, that’s two Humphry Bogart movies on this list, but he deserves it. “The African Queen” lets us watch as the pious Rose Sayer reforms hard-drinking Charlie Allnut with her love . . . and they go on to totally sink a Nazi battleship together! Toss in some awesome rapids and a cool scene with leeches, and you’ve got a top-notch date movie.

There are few better ways to add some good old-fashioned romantic ideas to your relationship or marriage than taking your wife, husband, boyfriend or girlfriend out on a thoughtful, fun date. Whether it’s your first date or you’ve been together for fifty years, an original, special romantic date will refresh your relationship and help you and your lover fall in love with each other all over again.

Luckily, the possibilities for unique fun romantic date ideas are endless. Regardless of where you live or what your circumstances are, fresh romantic ideas for dates surround all of us. What might seem commonplace to one person can, with a little old-fashioned romance, be turned into an amazing, exciting idea for a date with your special someone.

Below are 101 fun romantic date ideas, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to possibilities for you and your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend. Use this list to come up with fresh dating ideas of your own, and leave a comment if you think of any that should be on the list!

101 Fun Romantic Date Ideas

1. A date at your favorite coffee shop
2. A date at the local park
3. A romantic picnic date
4. A date to a baseball game
5. A romantic afternoon walk together
6. A date to fly a kite together
7. A date at the beach on a sunny day
8. A putt-putt golf date
9. A horseback riding date
10. A canoing date
11. A date to a soccer game
12. A romantic camping trip date
13. A date to a classic car show
14. A date to the local spa to pamper each other
15. A date to the local zoo
16. A date running a marathon or jogging together
17. A date at a high-class cocktail lounge or restaurant
18. A date to test-drive new cars together
19. A date to a volleyball game
20. A date to learn to para-sail together
21. A date cooking a romantic meal together
22. A date to meet each other’s family members
23. A date at the local museum
24. A date to the county fair
25. A birdwatching date
26. A date to pick fruit together at a local orchard
27. A date to take your kids, nieces or nephews to the park
28. A roller-blading or rollerskating date
29. A date to a football game
30. A date to tour new homes together
31. A date to learn to scuba dive together
32. A date to carve pumpkins together for Halloween
33. A date to the local flea market
34. A date to ride a romantic ferris wheel together
35. A date to look at flowers at the local greenhouse
36. A date to watch a romantic DVD or video together at home
37. A date to go on a hiking trip together
38. A date to play a round at the local golf course
39. A romantic dinner date at a four-star restaurant
40. A whitewater rafting date
41. A date to window shop at a nice shopping center
42. A date to go fishing together
43. A date to a basketball game
44. A date to a local art gallery
45. A date to color eggs together for Easter
46. A romantic tour of local historic places
47. A date to build a snowman together
48. A date at the first place you ever went out together
49. A date to a local air-show
50. A rock-climbing date
51. A date at the local mall arcade to play games together
52. A date to buy ice-cream on a hot day
53. A date to go to your local comedy club for some laughs
54. A date to pick wildflowers together
55. A date to tour local college campuses
56. A date to a hockey game
57. A date to an aquarium
58. A date to go boating together on a nice, clear day
59. A date to learn surfing together at the beach
60. A date to a play or a live stage show
61. The classic “dinner and a movie” date
62. A romantic afternoon sharing old pictures from your childhood
63. A date to the planetarium or science center
64. A date to a carnival
65. An afternoon sightseeing drive on a nice day
66. A date to a batting cage
67. A romantic ride in a horse-drawn carriage
68. A date to your local bookstore
69. A date to the pet store to pick out a pet together
70. A date to a boxing match
71. A date to the gym to exercise together
72. A date to a karaoke bar for some singing
73. A date to build a sandcastle together at the beach
74. A date to wash your cars together
75. A date to the horse-racing track
76. A date to your local pool or swimming hole
77. A go-cart riding date
78. A date to a romantic movie
79. A date to go shopping for new clothes together
80. A date to a downtown nightclub or dance club
81. A date to walk your dogs together
82. A date to a stock car race
83. A date to go target shooting or a shooting range together
84. A date to read to each other at the park on a nice day
85. An overnight date at a nearby bed-and-breakfast
86. A date to a local antique shop
87. A romantic sledding date on a snowy day
88. A date to a wishing well to make wishes together
89. A date to a wrestling match
90. A date to a local winery
91. A date to go bungee jumping together
92. A date to a friend or family member’s wedding
93. A date to local garage sales to go treasure hunting
94. A hunting date
95. A date to go skydiving together
96. A date to listen to the symphony together
97. A romantic hot air balloon ride
98. A date to play Frisbee together at the park
99. A date to a local amusement park to ride roller coasters
100. A date to a rock concert
101. A date to the casino to learn a new game together

Yup, you read that headline right: unplugging that automatic dishwasher isn’t just a way to save on your electric bill, but it’s also one of many great romantic ideas that can add some good old-fashioned romance to your relationship. But how?

There’s no big secret to making your loving relationship or marriage more romantic. Romance is all about spending time with your lover, sharing new experiences together and making them the most important part of your life. And sometimes doing the simplest things together helps us become more comfortable and romantic with each other; things like preparing a meal together, going for a walk together . . . or even washing the dishes together.

Even if you’re by yourself, washing your dishes by hand can be a calming, relaxing and meditative experience. Don’t laugh! The warm water, the gentle scrubbing, and the attention needed to be paid to each fork and glass can combine to help you get your mind off of your troubles and release tension.

Similarly, washing the dishes with your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband is a super way to relax, spend time with each other, and work together. Washing, rinsing, and drying each dish together, and incorporating some romantic touching and communicating while you’re doing it, can be a bonding experience that will add a new dimension to your relationship. And it’s a great followup to sharing a romantic meal together!

Even if it’s just once a week, washing the dishes by hand with your lover is one simple thing you can do to add more old-fashioned romance to your relationship. So unplug that dishwasher, get the water running, and cozy up for some squeaky clean romance!

One of the great things about being in a romantic, loving relationship is that there’s no end of new and exciting romantic ideas for things that you and your lover can do together to grow closer and make your relationship or marriage more exciting. But the best activities to share together are the simple ones, and sometimes after a romantic meal or date the perfect thing to do is curl up together on the couch and pop in a romantic movie.

Notice I say “curl up together on the couch.” I’m personally not a big fan of movie theaters when it comes to building romantic relationships; movie theaters are dark, they don’t encourage interaction, and aside from holding hands it’s difficult to pay much attention to your lover while you’re there. Building a better romance is all about sharing private time together and getting to know each other better, and it’s just tough to do that in a dark, packed movie theater.

Here’s the secret to watching a romantic movie with your wife, husband, boyfriend or girlfriend: it needs to be an active experience, not a passive one. It’s a great chance for you and your lover to whisper to each other, hold each other and learn about each other’s romantic tastes. Pick out a romantic DVD or video that both of you will enjoy, whether it’s a romantic comedy, a modern romance or a romantic classic. (By the way, I’m a huge fan of Casablanca, but I’ll leave the movie choice up to you!)

And unlike being in a movie theater, talking and interaction should be encouraged when you’re watching a romantic film with your lover! Use this time to laugh together, to comment on how much you like certain characters, or to find out what your sweetheart thinks about romantic situations in the movie. Romantic movies often concentrate on topics that pop up frequently in relationships, and watching them together is a great chance for you and your partner to talk about what you would do if those situations occurred to you.

Having said that, though, there comes a time to shut your mouth, cuttle with each other, and just watch the movie! Turn the lights down low, have a good bottle of wine nearby to share, and make sure your hands pay attention to your lover while your eyes are on the television screen.

Watching romantic movies together is a relationship cliche for a reason: because it’s a terrific way to build a better relationship and spend time together. So go find a good romantic flick, shun the movie theater, and snuggle up on the couch together tonight!

Yesterday on Romance Tracker, we saw a few romantic ideas about how introducing romantic massage into your relationship or marriage is a great way to show your appreciation for your lover, regardless of how well you do it.

Surprisingly, preparing a romantic meal for your lover has a lot in common with romantic massage. Many of us (especially men, but perhaps a few women as well) might be apprehensive about trying to cook new foods for our lover. But regardless of your skill in the kitchen, it’s really a super way to show your romantic partner that you care enough about them to try something new . . . and you might just surprise yourself at how well you can cook, after all!

You may notice a recurring theme here on Romance Tracker: it doesn’t really matter how well you do certain things in your romantic relationship, but rather that you make an attempt, show your lover you want to make them happy, and have fun doing itregardless of how well it all comes out. Preparing a romantic meal for your sweetheart is no different. So get over whatever fears you have of trying something new in the kitchen and crack open a cookbook!

If you’re looking for recipes, there are thousands and thousands of resources available to you on the Internet and at the bookstore; everyone’s culinary tastes are different, and you should know what kinds of foods your lover enjoys better than anyone else. If you don’t, it’s time to ask! Remember, cooking for your wife, husband, boyfriend or girlfriend is also an opportunity to learn more about what they enjoy and how to make them happy.

One important tip: if you’re just starting out and this is the first time you are preparing a meal for your romantic partner, don’t go out on a limb and try anything . . . exotic. Stick to a simple recipe that you know your lover will enjoy. Even though your sweetheart will appreciate the thought no matter how the food turns out, you don’t want to stack the deck against yourself by choosing a complex recipe that’s easy to mess up. Remember the cardinal rule of romance: keep it simple!

Once you’ve chosen your recipe, make sure you spend just as much time on preparing the scene and making sure the setting is as romantic as possible. A great meal can be made ten times more romantic by eating it in the perfect environment, and a candlelit table and soft music are just as important to this project as a perfectly cooked dish.

Surprising your lover with a romantic meal in bed or when they come home for lunch or dinner is a terrific idea, although it might take some planning on your part. But if it’s your first time in the kitchen, why not ask your partner to prepare the meal with you? Cooking together is a wonderful way to grow closer and have fun together, and once you try it you’ll probably want to do it again. Besides, if the meal doesn’t turn out perfectly, you won’t take all the blame!

If you haven’t tried preparing a romantic meal for your lover yet, it’s time to bust out the pots and pans. You’ll get a real kick out of what a wonderful, relationship-building experience it can be to serve your partner a delicious meal that you make with your own two hands. Now get cooking!

It’s no secret that physical interaction and touching are romantic ideas that play important roles in successful romantic relationships, but you’d be surprised at the number of lovers who are hesitant to explore the wonderful world of romantic massage. Many fear that they might do it wrong or that a good massage is something that can only be given by a professional. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course, and romantic massages are easy to do, they make you feel great, and they are a wonderfully effective way of building a better loving relationship or marriage.

Many times, the setting and surroundings of the romantic massage are as important as the massage itself. Very few of us can claim to be a master masseuse (or masseur, for the males), and it’s true that there are many advanced techniques that might take some practice to get good at. But by setting the scene for romance before the massage, you’ll set yourself up for success and make your lover feel special regardless of how good the massage is.

Try to give your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband a romantic massage in a quiet, calm, warm place where they can close their eyes and concentrate fully on the experience. Don’t plan the massage session at a time or place where you might be interrupted, and make sure you’ve set a romantic scene beforehand. Soft, romantic music can help, as can scented candles. Want to surprise your lover? Have a romantic massage set up for them after they get through with a good, hot shower, when they are especially relaxed.

As for massage techniques, there are plenty of resources available on the internet and in the bookstore for lovers who want to learn how to give the perfect, professional romantic massage. But in reality, massages are a lot like romance; the trick is to ask your lover what they like, be gentle and patient, and discover great feelings together. There’s nothing wrong with buying a massage book or taking a massage class, but why not discover what feels good together?

You may be hesitant to try give your lover a romantic massage if you’ve never tried it before, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t. Trying new things together is part of building a better romantic relationship, and who knows . . . you might even get a romantic massage in return!

No two people are exactly alike, and one of the reasons that a loving, romantic relationship or marriage is so good for our hearts and our minds is that it presents us with exciting new experiences we’ve never tried before. The more lovers have in common, the better their romance can be. And while the the qualities you share may have attracted you to your romantic partner in the beginning, concentrating on the things you don’t have in common is a romantic idea that can help build a better, more fulfilling relationship.

What are your lover’s hobbies and interests? Perhaps they enjoy watching a certain sport, or listening to a certain kind of music, or a specific fun activity. I’m sure that one or two of those interests are things that you’ve never given much thought to trying yourself. But taking some time to explore your sweetheart’s interests will do wonders for your romantic relationship, and might even lead to a little fun for you!

Showing interest in your romantic partner’s hobbies when they aren’t expecting it will give them a nice surprise and show them that you want to learn more about the things they enjoy. The easiest way to do it is to just come out and ask your lover to teach you about a particular hobby or interest and let them know you want to share in the fun. Ask your lover to be patient with you as you learn, and make sure to let yourself laugh and have fun when you make the inevitable mistakes.

Or, if you like to surprise your lover, why not learn all about their hobby or interest by yourself and then give them a pleasant shock by showing how much you’ve learned? Your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband is sure to be delighted when you quote some facts about a topic they’re interested in or when you demonstrate your proficiency in an activity they enjoy. Imagine the look on your lover’s face when you tell them you’ve been teaching yourself in private in order to make them happy!

Most importantly, though, learning about your sweetheart’s hobbies and interests will give you even more in common and even more fun, exciting and loving experiences to share together. Broadening our horizons and learning to do new things together are both vital to bulding better romantic relationships.

Well, have you decided what new hobby your are going to take up yet? Start today and I guarantee you’re romantic relationship will be better for it!

Nurturing a successful romantic relationship or marriage means finding time to spend with your significant other, but in today’s busy world it can be difficult to balance a hectic career and other obligations with your responsibilities as a romantic partner. Sure, you may think that you’re spending enough time with your lover and that they know that your romance is the most important thing in your life. But are you certain of that?

Reiterating to your sweetheart that your romantic relationship is your number one priority–even more important than your career or other obligations that might keep you away–could be one of the romantic ideas that you need to take to build a better romance. Many of us take for granted that our lover knows that they are our “number one,” but sharing a romantic partner with a busy career or hectic schedule can sometimes make a person feel second best.

You might make a point to romantically hug your lover as soon as you get home from work or to spend as much free time with them on the weekends, but simply telling them that they are the most important priority in your life is just as important.

How you tell them is up to you. Whether it’s with words, in a card or romantic note, or with a romantic text message, letting your lover know that they are the most important thing in your life will work wonders for your loving relationship.

Your career or other important duties may keep you away from your lover more than you would like, and your romantic partner probably knows that you have certain obligations that your have to fulfill in order to be a good parent, role model or spouse. But when is the last time you told your lover that they are much more important to you than anything else in the world?

It’s a simple thing to say, but you’ll be amazed at how much more fulfilling your romantic relationship will be if you tell your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband that they’re your number one priority. Let them know . . . today!

The scene of two lovers whispering romantic poetry to each other under a picturesque tree is somewhat of a sappy cliche anymore, but reading to your sweetheart–not necessarily poetry!–is still a great way to build your relationship and interact with each other in a fun, romantic way. And if you choose the right material, reading to your lover can be a two-for-one: imagine how great it would be to learn together while sharing your love together!

I know, I know–reading out loud is the type of romantic idea makes many people uncomfortable, and for some of us it might bring to mind embarrassing memories from high school literature classes. But the natural discomfort we feel at the thought of reading to someone is exactly why reading to each other is a great way for romantic couples to become closer and learn to trust each other.

Although it may seem silly at first, I promise you’ll see wonderful romantic results from setting aside time to read out loud with your significant other. It’s bound to inspire some mutual giggling, and having fun together is an important part of any romantic relationship or marriage. And after you get past the initial discomfort, you’ll quickly find that reading each other will help build trust and make you and your lover much more comfortable with each other.

After all, learning to become more comfortable with each other, and getting over the natural embarrassment we may feel in certain situations, is a natural progression in healthy, loving relationships.

What you read to each other is completely up to you. If you’re both feeling very romantic, a good book of love poetry is easy to come by. You can go for the classics, or choose from a huge selection of contemporary romantic poetry if that better suits your tastes. Is there a novel or collection of short stories that you or your romantic partner enjoy reading alone? Try reading passages to each other and you’ll open up a whole new world of romantic interaction and discussion.

Whether in the privacy of your own bedroom or beneath the cliche tree in a beautiful park, reading to your boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband is a great way to build your romantic relationship and foster trust. So go grab a good book and get to reading!