Sweet Surprises

[WildcatGirl]

Warning...sappiness ahead...if you're a cynical about romantic relationships I urge you to stop reading now...lol.

Ok, Capcat and I were lamenting about the need for some new discussion topics on the ladies forum this morning and it reminded me of a thread on another board I used to post on (a board that was pretty much all women so it was a lot like our 'Ladies Discussion' forum)

Anyway, That thread got started when a member posted a question to the group about needing some original ideas for her BF's upcoming birthday. The poster explained that her BF had a good job and pretty much if he actually wanted it he bought it...and with her job as an administrative assistant if he did want it and didn't already have it then it was probably way out of her budget to buy for him. So this left her trying to get creative and do something that was special and unique for him but that wouldn't cost her a lot of money.

Well the thread started off with everyone answering the question with as many low cost ideas as possible and kept going way beyond the BF's birthday with many more ideas (some more costly than others) for showing affection andlove. I shared a lot of things I had done in the past, since I've always been kinda like that girl too...anything I could afford that he wanted he probably already had...so get creative and fun has always been my goal...and judging from the reactions I've gotten it's a pretty good idea. So let's put on our sappy romantic hats and swap some inspirations. Not necessarily just for a special occasion but for little everyday things you might do to show someone you care and you are thinking about them.

[PsychoCat]

I have a friend who for her hubby's b-day put on all black leather, borrowed a motorcycle, pulled up in front of their house revingggggggg the engine ...her hubby came out and needless to say was shocked...she handed him the extra helmet, said get on!! ......and away they went for a picnic she had all packed....always thought it was a good idea just never got around to doing it lol

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_104.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSxdm040)

[WildcatGirl]

I'll start off with a few that come to mind right away so you guys have some examples...then I want to see what everyone else can come up with:

A list of 100 reasons why I love you...these could be e-mailed, typed up, put into a small pocket notebook, put in a binder or even printed out on fancy paper and framed.(I actually did some 200 something when I did it because I found that 100 came easily and I could still think of more so it was equal to the number of days we'd been married at the time.)

Starting on your wedding day (or your next anniversary if it's too late for the wedding day) keep a small pocket calendar each day for the next year write a memory from that day...it might be something you did together or something sweet the other person said or did...simple everyday things are best simply because they often go unnoticed. On the next anniversary give the person the calendar or use the computer to make a fancier version with your notes typed neatly or you could even do like I did and make a website then e-mail them a link. (I think this one is great in more ways than just the gift...if you are making it a point to find something to write each day...not just on the good days but the days you don't get along so well too...then you are focusing on the positives...and what newlywed couple adjusting to each other couldn't use time focusing on the positives)

A resume to be their lover...complete with a cover letter explaining why you're just the person for the job.

Does your SO have a favorite muffin, doughnut or bagel...get up early and run out to get one (or two) for them wrap it and put it in their car with a note or a greeting card wishing them a good day.

Give them a call or send them an e-mail...just to say I'm thinking about you.

If (and only if because you're trying to be nice not cause trouble) you know their boss well and they would work with you...arrange a surprise afternoon off and show up to pick them up from their office...what you plan for that afternoon off is up to you and what you think would be the most welcome plan for your SO...a picnic, a matinee, or just heading home together for a little one on one time.

I have several others...but I better get back to work...and I think you all get the picture.

[surveyor]

I'll respond with the guy's POV with regard to things my wife has done that I appreciated:

Sometimes she'll mail a card to me here at the office for no special reason. Sometimes she'll have someone else address it so as to throw me off. Really makes me smile for the rest of the day.

Somewhat similar as above, but with Hallmark e-cards.

Purchase a different bottle of bourbon or scotch for me to try.

Purchases a whole bean coffee for me that I may not have tried yet.

Makes a dessert favorite that I haven't had for a while just outta the blue.

Sometimes if she gets home from work earlier than usual (and always earlier than me, as I have an hour long drive) and time permits, she'll fire up the charcoal grill and grill orange bourbon salmon or something else she knows I like. This has always made me feel a bit guilty, because she doesn't really care for salmon that much, but she knows I love it. In addition, there'll be a glass of bourbon or shiraz waiting for me when I come in.

Last summer she planned a weekend in Chicago for the two of us, unbeknownst to me. She had me thinking we were travelling somewhere with her parents, when actually they were driving us to the airport.
She had never flown in her life and was deathly afraid of flying - swearing she'd never set foot on a plane and that the only way we'd see Hawaii was to drive to the west coast and take a cruise ship. Yet, she forced herself to overcome such fear and got on the plane. Now she wants to fly to places we previously had been resigned to gruelling drives.
All these things don't really cost much (the coffees bourbon, scotch, etc. come out of our liquor budget, thus the special part is surprising me with something I've not yet tried) but the thought and care put into these little things remind me over and over again that I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to marry my best friend.:)

[WildcatGirl]

PsychoCat wrote: I have a friend who for her hubby's b-day put on all black leather, borrowed a motorcycle, pulled up in front of their house revingggggggg the engine ...her hubby came out and needless to say was shocked...she handed him the extra helmet, said get on!! ......and away they went for a picnic she had all packed....always thought it was a good idea just never got around to doing it lol

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_104.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSxdm040)
I've thought of renting a car that we couldn't afford to actually own before...but never thought of the motorcycle...but for a guy who loves them I'll bet that was a fantasy come true. Great idea PsycoCat!

[capcat]

WildcatGirl wrote:
Not necessarily just for a special occasion but for little everyday things you might do to show someone you care and you are thinking about them.
I'm not a real romantic. However, I know what means a lot to my husband and they happen to be the same things that mean a lot to me...our children.Most of our children are grown and their childhoodsareboth animportant part of our past togetherand a symbol of it. So...I think the most meaningful things that I have done for him center around that. We have some priceless (to us) andcandid photographs of them, which Iam now havingenlarged as a Christmas gift to put in his office.As stressful as his day gets, and as corny as this sounds, Ithink they'll be awelcome refuge. Ihavealways wanted to record a collection of songsthat he can relateto memories of his time with them as they were growing up. He often thinks of himself as the absent dad, too busy with work to fully be there for them, but in reality heisn't givinghimself credit for the very important contributions he made.

[WildcatGirl]

capcat, I think those are very sweet ideas...and as a parent I can understand what you mean about those pictures being a 'refuge' from the daily stress...my office is FILLED...and I mean that...with pictures of my family...some professionala some candid...but all bring back wonderful memories when I need a mental break...The song collection is similar to something I've done...but it was more of songs that reminded me of him...or of our rleationship in some way...I also recorded little sound bite intros for each song telling him what it was about this song that reminded me of him/us...then burned the songs with their respective intros to a CD and used a publishing software to make a case insert...you might could use the intro idea to tell little 'stories' about times associated with the songs...that would take him right back to those happy times.

[CATHYnKY]

My spouse doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. I try to cook a nice Italian meal for him with a great dessert. I will schedule an over night trip somewhere. He helps his Mom at her florist on Saturdays so its hard to do.

What I would like to do and may, is book a limo, make a reservation somewhere we haven't been and do it 'just because' rather than have to have an occasion. He would probably get on me for spending all that money. But it sounds good, doesn't it?:rolleyes:

[capcat]

CATHYnKY wrote: My spouse doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. I try to cook a nice Italian meal for him with a great dessert. I will schedule an over night trip somewhere. He helps his Mom at her florist on Saturdays so its hard to do.

What I would like to do and may, is book a limo, make a reservation somewhere we haven't been and do it 'just because' rather than have to have an occasion. He would probably get on me for spending all that money. But it sounds good, doesn't it?:rolleyes:
It does, Cathy. Maybe you and some friends could chip in for a limo ona special occasion (for example, to celebratethe second Tuesday after the first Thursday of the month, something like that :D) and make it a girl's night out :cool:.

[WildcatGirl]

Count me in Cathy...I love girls night...and with a limo for a designated driver how can you go wrong???

[CoquieKat]

It helps to know your SO's love language, too. Some things that I'd find incredibly romantic wouldn't do much for him, and vice versa. With DH, I know his are "acts of service" and "quality time" to a lesser degree. Making his favorite meal (meat loaf, mashed potatoes, brown beans, cornbread, and pecan pie) seems to do wonders.

Back when we were dating, I made a personal web page for our first Valentine's Day together. I included pictures from throughout our relationship (we began dating in March, so we already had nearly a year's worth by then), as well as a sappy love letter. He said it made him cry.

When I make lunches for the next day the night before, I'll sometimes tuck a little gushy note into his lunch bag somewhere. Nothing too over-the-top; I never know who else might be around when he opens his lunch!

Finally, at night, instead of hanging out on the Internet, I'll go and watch TV with him, even if I have no interest in the show that's on.

[freethrow]

I am not a romantic but this is just the sort of thing that would please me the most. I am not into cards and notes and candles and fancy dinners and things. Being whisked off for some special " just me and my SO" time in this way would mean much more to me. Especially if she got VERY personal with me while there. :)

PsychoCat wrote: I have a friend who for her hubby's b-day put on all black leather, borrowed a motorcycle, pulled up in front of their house revingggggggg the engine ...her hubby came out and needless to say was shocked...she handed him the extra helmet, said get on!! ......and away they went for a picnic she had all packed....always thought it was a good idea just never got around to doing it lol

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_104.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSxdm040)

[WildcatDan]

I recorded this for my wife for Valentine's Day last year. (The song was written by Michael W Smith but my wife likes my version better!) Be gentle, it was recorded using a cheap computer microphone.
http://www.wildcatnation.net/x/Music/Love of my Life - Dan R.mp3

[PsychoCat]

Is there a link to hear it or am I misssing something? lol

[WildcatDan]

PsychoCat wrote: Is there a link to hear it or am I misssing something? lol
Weird... no idea what happened there - it was there when I previewed it...

Can you see it now?

[WildcatGirl]

sorry...not there...I'd love to hear it too...

[WildcatDan]

Hmm... it works for me... let me try one more time... (You should see what looks like a windows media player window)

http://www.wildcatnation.net/x/Music/Love of my Life - Dan R.mp3

[WildcatDan]

http://www.wildcatnation.net/x/Music/LoveofmyLife-DanR.mp3


If that doesn't work then I give up!

[WildcatDan]

Wow. I totally managed to kill this thread!

[WildcatGirl]

Nah...just aren't many romantics out there I guess ;)

[TRexSmarts]

I'm romantic but all I can do is give away my tips to other guys or girls to do for their SO since I don't have one.

TRexSmarts

[WildcatGirl]

Dan, I finally got a chance to listen...I love that song anyway...but you did a good job...we could use a few more men in my church choir...you available?:D

[WildcatDan]

Sure, I will just drive down to Alabama every Sunday for the service. :D

[WildcatGirl]

Glad to know you are willing to be so dedicated...we start at 8:300 tomorrow morning;)

[TRexSmarts]

Can I come? I can get on my tricycle and start heading that way right now?

TRexSmarts

[capcat]

Dan, I am so dense I wasn't sure if thatwas you singing. You have a beautiful voice. What woman would not love a recording like that made just for her.

[WildcatGirl]

TRexSmarts wrote: Can I come? I can get on my tricycle and start heading that way right now?

TRexSmarts

Sure...so I should expect you for next weeks service then TL?

[WildcatDan]

Oh.... Lisa... sorry! I overslept this week. I will try to make it next week!

[WildcatDan]

capcat wrote: Dan, I am so dense I wasn't sure if thatwas you singing. You have a beautiful voice. What woman would not love a recording like that made just for her.
Thanks! My wife really did seem to like it!