Romance Your Relationship: The Perfect Date

Is the first thing you reach for in the morning a steaming cup of java? Let’s face it. Many Americans are addicted to their morning cup of coffee and aren’t about to give it up. While some people drink coffee for the caffeine, other people simply enjoy the taste. What about the health value of coffee? This issue remains a cloudy one. Some studies have shown health benefits of drinking coffee including a reduced risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver cancer, and gall bladder disease, while others have shown negative effects, particularly from the caffeine. Fortunately, there are some ways to turn that morning cup of coffee into a healthier drink. Here’s how to make your daily coffee healthier.

Romance Your Relationship: The Perfect Date

If you are looking to put some romance into your relationship, nothing will do that faster than the perfect date. Sounds simple, right? But what exactly is the perfect date? Individuals have their own idea of what “perfect” is and even those ideas can be lofty — like the fantasy that is always better as a fantasy than it is when it is fulfilled. You can romance your relationship and have the perfect date without all the day dreaming bells and whistles.

Six Elements of Romance for the Perfect Date

1. Laugh together. Feelings of amusement and happiness create uplift in the mood. When people laugh together, their whole beings identify each other in a positive way. This is why a sense of humor is near the top of many people’s “Mr. or Mrs. Right” characteristics list. It doesn’t mean you have to be the source of your partner’s amusement.

• Take your loved one to a comedy show. Make sure the performers’ resonate with your sense of humor. Never pick someone who may be offensive to your partner’s sensibilities.

• Play a game that requires each of you to do something that makes you laugh.

• Spend some time with kittens or puppies. Watching them play can be an endless source of amusement.

2. Establish trust. Part of your date should be something you have done but your partner has not. Teach your partner how to play miniature golf, bowl, play pool or anything else that requires some instruction. Remember not to be too serious. It isn’t about winning or losing. It is all about your partner putting their education in your hands — even for a short while. If you like, you can let your significant other be the teacher.

3. Step out of your comfort zones. Do something together that feels risky. You don’t have to explore a cave, go mountain climbing or jump off a bridge while attached to a bungee cord, though those ideas are good ones. Anything that gets the adrenaline pumping with an element of the unknown thrown into the mix establishes a bond.

4. End your date with something that is traditionally romantic. A fire on the beach, a stargazing moment on the hood of your car, or a late candle-lit dinner is nice.

5. At the end of your evening, stand in front of each other, take hold of each other’s hands and look into each other’s eyes. Tell your perfect date about the highlight of your day, keeping eye contact and making sure he or she knows you enjoyed the experience because of his or her presence.

6. If you live together, carry the date through until morning. Breakfast in bed is often a good choice. If the next day is a busy one, do something small to remind your partner of the previous night. A love note placed where your partner will find it, a rose that is waiting for her when she gets to work, a song request on his or her favorite radio station… It does not matter what you do as long as you fan the glowing embers.

The best way to romance your relationship is to create positive feelings together. The perfect date is one where attention is on each other while both experience a range of pleasurable feelings.