Nice Ways to Celebrate Your Anniversary....

One of the most romantic things to do with your sweetheart on your anniversary arguably is to relive your first date. If the two of you went to a movie, rent the same flick and enjoy it together. If your first date included dinner at a nice restaurant, get reservations and go there again if you still live nearby – otherwise find another place with similar cuisine.

Some couples enjoy cooking together. Preparing a romantic meal to enjoy by candlelight in the privacy of your own home could be just what you both need for a relaxing evening. If one of you gets home from work before the other, you could even surprise your spouse with a romantic home cooked dinner.

For those bigger anniversaries, like 10th, 15th, 20th and so on, perhaps a “second honeymoon” is in store! Save up your vacation days at work and plan an exotic get-away to a location you both dream about but have never experienced. Pack only what you will need and forget about the cares of every day life. Bring your cellular phones only for emergencies and forget your cares for a week or two and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Plan a date together as you did before you got married. Go see a show in a major city and enjoy the feel of downtown, find a drive-in movie and bring some popcorn, snacks and snuggle while you enjoy the double feature, or plan a simple night together at home with take-out food from your favorite restaurant, comfortable clothes and a good movie you both enjoy. Cuddle up, relax and just revel in the happiness that is your own.

If you cannot afford an entire vacation, take a weekend or a three-day weekend to a resort within driving distance and escape from the world. Turn off your phones, order room service and take in the beauty of the area around you as you relax together and wash your cares away with the same champagne you toasted with on your wedding day.

If your anniversary date falls on a workday and you can both afford to (based on your workloads), call in sick and spend the day together. Sleep in, share in a lazy breakfast and just bask in the love and commitment you have together.

If you wish to strengthen your bond, consider renewing your wedding vows. A justice of the peace is generally available to assist you with this, or you could contact your parish officials. Remembering the vows you took on your marriage day can ignite a fire of passion within you both again if daily stress has been drawing you apart.

Whether you plan anything extra-special or not, exchange gifts with each other and reminisce about your years together. When selecting the gift, keep in mind how well you know your spouse, and try to remember any clues dropped about what he or she most would like to own.

With advance notice, ask your children or those close to you to make a trip to your hometown for a night out to dinner. Make reservations at a classy restaurant to celebrate your years together as a family and when it comes to dessert, be sure to indulge!

Make an effort to get up a bit earlier than your spouse and surprise him or her with breakfast in bed. Thinking of your love used to be the first thing you thought about in the morning and the last thing before going to sleep, but in your years together, you have the blessing of being in the arms of your loved one and seeing him or her as the first and last thing each day.

By Kathryn M. D'Imperio  
 

..... Romance