The days are long gone when it's the guy's responsibility to plan an outing. Relationships are all about equal
responsibility these days, so whether you're straight, gay, lesbian . doesn't matter, this pertains to you.
The best way to create a lasting memory is to use your brain. Candlelight dinner and a night at the movies is a great
way to show you care, but it's one in a string of standard romantic evenings your special someone is likely to have shared
over the years. Showing how well you know a person is a surefire way to niche out a place for yourself in their heart, and
sidestepping the traditional "laws of dating" will prove your worth keeping around.
Be Romantic - In lieu of candles, why not try a sunset . on the beach . with a picnic. Don't get me wrong. Thinking up a
candlelight dinner and creating the meal from scratch is still high on everyone's "romantic dream date" list, but for that
extra oomph, dig a bit deeper. Get an old fashioned picnic basket and fill it with your special someone's favorite food and
appetizers - could be caviar, could be mac and cheese. The point is it's memorable and required thought. And if the beach
isn't right for you two, perhaps the place you first met or a special outdoors spot for you. Taking the time to plan
something so thoughtful will earn you major bonus points.
Be Spontaneous - When I was a kid, one morning a year, my mom and dad you used to wake us up and tell us we weren't going to
school. We were going to Anaheim, aka Disneyland. It was spur of the moment and from the heart. That was mom and dad, but it's
really no different than dating someone. The intention's the same . so maybe Disneyland is Napa, a night in the city, a late
night harbor cruise, breakfast in bed. You don't have to be elaborate to say I love you, and you also don't need a reason or occasion.
Be Childlike - Adults take relationships too seriously. Sometimes, it pays to just goof off and have fun. Things like miniature golf,
a drive in, bowling; board games are a great way to spend time together without breaking the bank or doing the repetitive dinner,
dessert, movie night. The biggest mistake new couples make is letting their relationship burn out quickly. Dropping your guard and
acting like a kid sometimes is a great way to shake things up and keep it fresh.
Be Dramatic - On the same token, if you keep it low key and laid back more often than not, maybe a trip on the serious side is in order.
Going all out for a date doesn't necessarily mean you have to max out your credit card. Sure, you can do a five course meal complete with
violins, a horse drawn carriage ride and a midnight flight to Fiji, but cooking the meal followed by a poem you wrote or violin you played,
finding a romantic escape in your neck of the woods neither of you have yet to discover . those things take just as much skill, if not more.
And just think of the cash you'll have saved in the end.
Be Creative - I was working in an upscale design furniture store in college when a man came in and asked if we could put an engagement
ring in an Asian Tansu Dresser he'd just purchased. He was sending his girlfriend on a scavenger hunt which would end at the dresser
with a marriage proposal. He'd spent the whole day planning. That takes talent, and when she said yes, I guarantee it was a moment
she'd never forget. Rack your brain for things that are out of the ordinary. And the don't necessarily need to break the bank. Use
your friends. People have all sorts of jobs these days. Anyone owe you a favor? Travel agents, real estate agents, spa workers, limo
drivers, caterers, restaurateurs, musicians. The "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" approach is a great value.
Be Nostalgic - Revisiting a favorite place with special memories is always a safe bet, particularly because it shows the moment meant
something to you. Now, the danger is the memories you hold fondly actually happened with another person, so only go this route if you
trust your memory implicitly. If you're certain you have the right someone, be sure to bring up your fond memories . work them into the
evening with specific detail. If that doesn't affirm your devotion, nothing will.
Be Yourself - In the end, there is no better you to be than yourself. I know that sounds very Tony Robbins, but it's true. After all,
you're the one who got the date in the first place, so there's something in you that keeps this one coming back. By all means, be
creative and incorporate elements outside yourself into your date planning. But in the end, they should all be extensions of you .
your thoughts and ideas. That's the best way to know if they're really interested.