Did you “blow it” for Valentine’s Day? Did your sweetie give you the worst Valentine’s present ever?  Was it the most unromantic gift you could think of, like a toaster or vacuum cleaner or worse? Did he (or she) forget Valentine’s Day all together? I mean, what’s wrong with a new MOP anyway?  After all, it would be a great way to make your getaway from that relationship.  February has long been known as the month of romance.  From Valentine’s Day (February 14th) to Dream of Your Sweetheart Day (February 13th) to Cuddle Day (February 25th), February brings many opportunities to shower your love with affection.  However, up to now, no day has existed for the romantically challenged who want to show their affection without spending a fortune.   Romance isn’t about how much money you lavish on another.  It’s about attracting the object of your affection.  Romance is about making dreams and fantasies come true.  It’s a time to ignite the soul and recreate adventures of the heart. Romance does, however, have a price.  Romance is about timing, imagination, exploration and creativity.   Hence, National Romance on a Budget Day® was created to be celebrated on February 28th.     It’s a time to put on your thinking cap, kick in your creativity gauge and UP the romance meter. National Romance on a Budget Day® is a time for true romantics to cultivate loving sensual relationships.   

While you’re at it, take the Eden Florist “Romance” Survey and you could win one of many prizes including the book Romance on a Budget - 199 Cheap Thrills, Romantic Antics and Love-Changing Experiences, and 52 Weeks of Romance in a Box! Be sure to order flowers too!

Ooh I need romance babe , I hope you know it’s true
Hope you need romance babe, Just like I do too…  

Okay, it’s not exactly the same lyrics to the Beatles song, Eight Days a Week, but it’s true (for most of us, that is). And just like the lyrics to the song “Eight days a Week, Is not enough to show I care…” Romance is not reserved for holidays and special days, it’s the wise person who is romantic on a daily basis.  And being romantic every day of the week is not that difficult.  It just takes a little forethought and imagination.  I call it planned spontaneity.  And let’s face it, sometimes we need a little help to add more romance to our relationship.

February

Excerpted from Romance on a Budget.

To order flowers, visit Eden Florist & Gift Baskets

 Romance on a Budget by Heidi Richards

Romance isn’t about spending money, it’s about spending time together, spending energy and creativity to attract and keep the relationship exciting and the love alive.   - Heidi Richards

Romance isn’t about how much money you lavish on another.  It’s about attracting the object of your affection.  Romance is about making dreams and fantasies come true. Romance is defined as “an exciting and mysterious quality; a relationship between two lovers.” It is the “act of making your partner feel loved.” Romance is more than an act, it’s a state of being. It’s the heart, the soul and the mind working together to create an adventure, and increase enthusiasm for one another.

“Romance means intimacy and connection, which means paying attention to detail.  It’s making her lunch or giving him a massage.  It’s making the bed together and cuddling.  It’s holding hands and leaving little “love notes” around the house.  It’s touching and feeling and listening and sharing.  It’s excitement and serenity, spontaneity and planning.  It’s telling the other person what you want, and doing the things the other person likes. It’s connecting deeply. 

Romance is about timing, imagination, exploration and creativity.  Being Romantic is about…. being creative, being willing to take a risk. Sometimes it’s being sweet. Sometimes it’s being silly. Romance is about … the right attitude.  And attitude can cost you a little or a lot.  True romantics have the right attitude; and use imagination to cultivate loving, sensual relationships. 

So just how do you develop the right attitude?  Start out with little acts of affection, little things to show you care and can be romantic.  Here are a few suggestions (excerpted from the book, Romance on a Budget) to help you spark your imagination. 

♥          This Kiss (#10) – You must remember this; a kiss is still a kiss… kiss often.  Repeat several times.

♥          Look into My Eyes (#11) – When you gaze into each others eyes, everyone else seems to disappear. And looking intensely at one another  can send a message to your lover that can lead to other things.

♥          You Light up my Life (#15) - Spray the perfume or cologne you wear on a light bulb. When the light is turned on the scent of you will fill the room.

♥          What a Feeling (#19) – Tell your love how much you appreciate him/her.    Write your message on a post-it-note and stick it where it is sure to be found.

♥          Get out of your Comfort Zone (Intro) – Do something impulsive, even a little risky that will excite your lover and ignite the romance. 

  Like the song says “Love Don’t come easy.”   I believe that “Romance Don’t Come Easy. “ But with a little practice and planning, the results can be thrillllllllling….

  Excerpted from the book, Romance on a Budget – www.romanceonabudget.net. © 2008 - Heidi Richards is an Author, Professional Speaker, and Business Mentor and the owner of Eden Florist & Gift Baskets – www.edenflorist.com   Permission is granted to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication is appreciated.