Of all the romantic things I could ever possibly dream of, nothing beats being whisked away on a whim for a romantic weekend getaway, with all the planning taken care of for me, with a laid back itinerary that actually focuses more on us just being together. Is this a fantasy that could quite possibly become a reality, or is it something that only seems to happen in the movies (or to friends, of friends, of friends)? Does it have to cost a fortune? And, probably most importantly, is this something either half can put together, including the one who doesn't order pizza over the phone all that well?

Here's a list of what you need to do to take such a lofty dream make it a reality:

Is this the right weekend? Nothing will ruin your plans more than picking a weekend where your partner really has something important to do. You could even hint throughout the week that you just want to "keep it mellow" on that weekend. Just be sure whatever plans you do make can be easily broken, in case something truly important does factor in.

How much can you afford to spend? Before you even think of where to go, you need to plan on the budget. Even if all you have is $100 to splurge on yourselves, you can definitely do this! I always get fantastic hotel deals online, and camping at state parks can go for as little as $8!!! Don't be shy about asking friends to use their vacation homes or RV's, too!

How far from home do you need to go? Since this is probably Friday to Sunday night tops, time is a factor, so booking a flight would really cut into your together time and add a bunch of unnecessary frustration. Plan on spending no more than four hours on the road, and don't forget to include the average rush hour delays. Not longer than two hours into your drive is when you two should stop to eat dinner, so be sure to choose a midway location.

What destination would make your partner's heart truly sing? Of course, you have to have a vested interest here, but this is really more for your sweetheart's benefit. Does she like antiquing? Does he like race car meets? How about a music festival? Just be sure whatever entertainment you choose does not become the main event!

What about everyone left at home? Call Mom or another trusted relative or friend to sit at your house for the weekend. She or he can watch the kids, feed the cat and water the plants while you two are away. Offer a future favor in lieu of payment, so you don't cut into your budget. Just be sure to tell whoever it is to keep it all a secret! Shhhhh!

What are you supposed to bring? Think of what his or her normal bathroom routine is and grab everything that's normally used, along with two full changes of clothes (think favorites here!). Be sure your partner leaves for work first so you can pack for the both of you and tuck it all away. Leave from work early so you can pick up and leave, straight from work if you can! Just be sure to give him or her a call first, stating you wanted to go out for dinner.

With Valentine’s Day slowly lurking around the corner, couples just starting out can feel a lot of anxiety building up as to how to approach such a romantic milestone. Expensive jewelry, pricey get aways and black tie engagements are off the list, and candy and flowers can be misconstrued as either being more friendly than romantic or simply lacking in creativity altogether. Fear not, for there are lots of inexpensive yet cherishably memorable ways to beat Cupid at his own game and set the tone for the rest of the year!

To start, take into consideration all the things that define your special someone and eliminate the obvious answers. Beneath the career and major passions lies that nugget of gold that will direct you to finding the perfect way to celebrate the Big Day. Where did she grow up? What did he do before starting his job? Does she occasionally indulge at the local greasy spoon? Does he amazingly break away from his closest friends to check out the newest art exhibit? Without coming straight forward with these types of questions, you can peer into your new love’s background and come up with some great ideas!

If she grew up in rural Alabama, a big city like ours can make her feel a little homesick at times. Why not grab a cook book and learn how to make an authentic southern dinner! Stop by her home with a bag of groceries and take the time to write out the recipes onto sheets of paper, perhaps with a cute background for her to keep. Remember to select recipes that are fairly simple and require very few pot and pans. Remember, the idea is to share the experience of getting to know each other through creating a meal, and not to groan over ruining her pans and leaving a mess! And yes, a vase full of cheerful daisies and marigolds would be very appropriate, along with a light hearted, romantic comedy on DVD.

If your special guy used to play bass in a garage band back in high school, find out which performers were his idols as a kid. Then, check the local papers to see if any bands in his preferred genre are playing and head on out! Now mind you, you don’t have to score Van Halen reunion tickets; if your man’s into 80s rock bands, finding a local bar that hosts cover bands would be just as fun! And hey, those guys usually take requests! Top the night off with a quick bite to eat at a short order diner and chat over coffee and pie until you both feel the need to wind down.

Tomorrow, I’ll share a couple of my most memorable Valentine’s Day celebrations with you that should spark your imagination even more! Stay tuned!

First of all, many mobile or cellular phones come with the capabilities of sending text messages or SMS. SMS stands for Short Messaging Service and it is the ability to type in a message that is delivered in text form to a cell phone. Interestingly, technology has allowed for text messaging between cell phones, or from a computer to another computer, computer to cell phone, landline to cell phone, and even a Pocket PC to a cell phone. No one really knows who invented SMS or text messaging, and no one really expected it to catch on. It is a simple technology yet amazingly, many people have found the art of sending text messages a great way of communicating.

One of the nice features about text messaging is that many mobile phone carriers allow for free or very inexpensive text messaging- both inbound and outbound. However, it is important to check your mobile phone service provider’s plan to ensure that you can use the service for free. If your provider charges a few cents per message, remember not to get carried away and only text within your budget. You may find text messaging so much fun that it is easy to turn those cents into a few hundred dollars, so text wisely and carefully.

You may wonder why anyone would need text messaging when they have a telephone and can make calls easily and simply. To begin with, text messaging offers many benefits. Like mentioned before, text messaging is often offered for free and many users can send free text messages via their computers to a mobile cell phone user. This is a nice way to send a message to your romantic other if they are at work, or if you know that they are busy and would be interrupted by receiving a phone call, but you would still like to send them a nice message or greeting.

Many cellular phones come with standard greetings, but these often don’t express the true feelings that the sender wants to convey in their message. However, if you find it difficult to choose the right text message, here are some great ones that will express to your partner how you feel:

I Love You or I Luv U

Always and Forever…I Love You

You Rock my World

I will always love you

You have captured my heart

Miss U, want U, need U

I’m yours forever and a day

Thinking of U

Missing U Terribly

Wishing U were Here

Love letters make perfect gifts for anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day and other holidays, or for any time you want to add a touch of romance to your relationship. Love letters last a lifetime and often become treasured keepsakes. Spoken words may be cherished, but can be hard to remember, but when declarations of love are put down on paper, they last for generations.

First, you will need to choose the paper that you are going to write on. You may prefer a special stationary that is purchased from an office supply store or even have your letter transcribed by a calligrapher. If your handwriting is legible and fanciful, you may prefer to write the letter yourself. You can also write your love letter on your computer and use a specialty font and beautiful stationary to print the letter on. All of these options are fine, and you shouldn’t feel that you necessarily have to hand print the love letter, computers work perfectly and produce great results.

You may also choose to place a picture of yourself on the love letter as well. You can tape or glue a photo of yourself on the top of the letter, or you may prefer to use the assistance of a computer photo-editing program. Here, the computer really comes in handy as you can add scanned photos as well as other clip art to decorate your letter and simply print the finished result.

Once you have determined how your love letter will look, it is time to work on the contents, or the body of the letter. A good way to start is to make sure that you are in a quiet environment without any distractions. This includes turning off the television and even unplugging the phone. If you like soft music, you may find that it helps your creative juices flow, however if it begins to distract you, turn the music off. After you have created an atmosphere that will allow you to concentrate, you should begin brainstorming all of your partner’s best qualities.

Make a list of these characteristics and traits; try dividing the characteristics into physical traits, emotional characteristics, and spiritual qualities. They will be the basis for your love letter. When you are finished making this list, you will make another one. This list will focus on your dreams, plans, goals, and visions for your future together. Put everything that you are hoping for in the future on the list. Now, using your list, you will have the necessary material for constructing your letter.

Your love letter will consist of the opening, body, and closing. Here are some examples of great openings for love letters:

After you have opened the letter and wrote the contents, you will need a great closing. Here are some wonderful closing lines for love letters:

However time has a way of bringing lovebirds down from the clouds and setting them firmly in the seat of reality. Children, work, bills, and the pressures of every day life are constant reminders that a commitment in your relationship requires determination and hard work.

It is to be expected that as time progresses, your love will change. Not all change is bad however, but it is change and sadly, many couples fail to embrace these changes hand in hand and instead of moving ahead with their new lives, they drift further and further apart.

One of the first areas where couples tend to lose their closeness is in the area of romance. Without romance, many couples fail to remain at the level of intimacy that they experienced when they first fell in love. Here are some tips that every couple can use to help keep the romance in their relationship and reduce the chance of losing intimacy.

Keep romance in your relationship by dating each other

Dating is how you and your partner first began to explore each other. However, most couples stop dating once they feel that their relationship has become secure. By enjoying a date night each week, you can ensure that you will not only remain intimate but also continue to enjoy each other’s company. It is also a good idea to dress your best and treat each other as you did when you first began dating as well. The pressures of life will always surround you, let your date night be a time where you and your partner can escape from the world and relax with each other.

Spend time learning something new

This is a great way to enjoy each other’s company and add some romance back into your relationship. Whether you learn how to play golf, cook exotic foods, or take ballroom dance lessons finding something that both of you can learn together will be greatly rewarding. Just make sure that both of you agree upon the activity.

Write love letters to each other

Instead of surprising each other with love letters on the spur of the moment (though that is a wonderfully romantic idea), why not decide ahead of time to exchange love letters. Pour out your true emotions, dreams, and feelings into your letters and exchange them. This is great anytime of the year, but is also a wonderful gift you can give each other on Valentine’s Day and anniversaries.

Keep the romance in your relationship through kissing

After the children go to bed, you and your partner can engage in a wonderfully stimulating activity- kissing. Try kissing each other for 2 minutes, you are sure to feel romantically inspired at the end of your session.

Take a vacation together – without the kids

Just getting away from everything can be the most romantic time spent in your relationship. Whether you travel out of the country, visit an exotic location, or just stay at a hotel in your hometown, a vacation is a great way to keep the romance alive. If you don’t have much time, finances, or can’t find a weeklong babysitter, consider a weekend getaway. Your relationship will be renewed and strengthened and it is amazing how simply finding the time to reconnect with your partner can revitalize and deepen your connection with each other.

However, there are many people who struggle with showing or displaying affection and wish that these qualities and characteristics would come effortlessly. There is good news. With a little work, effort, and by using some romantic tips, tricks, and techniques you can become a hopeless romantic and bring joy and happiness to your partner.

The first requirement for being a true hopeless romantic is to spend time with your partner. Once you make time for your partner, you will find that even the simplest things can become romantic. Taking time to watch the sunset, look at the stars together, or just taking a walk around the block hand in hand are wonderfully romantic activities that require little more than an effort and desire to be together. Without a sincere desire to spend time with your partner, you can never truly be romantic. However, when you know that your partner is the apple of your eye, opportunities for romance abound.

Romance is easily found when you spend time together, but you must ensure that the time spent is one that is joyous, fun, and positive. A romantic experience can quickly turn sour with a negative or critical comment. If you are in a romantic mood, you will need to be sure that you don’t spoil things by saying harsh or critical statements. If your partner says something or does something, simply overlooking the comment, or changing the course of the conversation can help keep things in focus.

The goal is romance, not political debates or power struggles between the two of you. For some couples, sometimes the most romantic gesture is simply to listen while the other person does the talking. If you have planned a romantic evening together, it may be important for the other person to vent a little about their day so that they can relax and truly enjoy the mood. Try not to solve problems, pick sides, or offer opinions, just listen and your romantic efforts will not go without reward.

The next step in becoming a hopeless romantic involves learning how to express how you feel. It would be very simple to state, “Give your partner cards decorated with hearts and bows,” or “ Make sure you bring home flowers and chocolate,” but when it comes to truly expressing how you feel, candy, cards, and flowers are just a few of the trinkets you can give. Also, women need to find ways to express their love towards their partners and candy, flowers, and chocolate tend to be gender specific forms of romance.

True romance can be expressed in any manner that conveys the message, “I love you” or “You are special to me,” to your partner. The best way to determine how to speak your partner’s language of love is to understand what touches their heart. When you know what means the most to your partner, your expression of love will be significant and appropriate. Creativity abounds when you know what your partner likes, what their hobbies are, and what holds sentimental value to them. By knowing these things, you can become a hopeless romantic and ensure that your partner knows how much you care about him or her.

One of the first steps that you will need to take is to assess the trouble spots of your relationship. When you first fall in love, it seems that both members are wearing blinders to each other’s faults. However, it may not take long before friends and family members can see the character flaws in your mate that you refuse to see. Yet within due time, your eyes will be opened and you too will realize that although you love your partner, there are some traits that he or she may possess that can cause your relationship stress. It is a good idea to realize that your partner always had these traits; you just failed to realize them because of your newfound love and overwhelming feelings of admiration.

Choosing to focus on those negative qualities will over time, rob the love and joy of your relationship – and yes, even your romantic life will suffer. To truly have creative romance, you will need to begin by allowing your partner to be human. Understand that they aren’t perfect and love them anyway. Remember that they are still the same person you fell in love with. Also, it is important to realize that it isn’t your job to change your partner. One way to sap any romance from your relationship is to constantly criticize, nitpick, and critique your partner. Love your partner and create a positive atmosphere in the little things and you will lay the foundation for a life of creative romance.

There, now that the groundwork has been laid, here are some tips and ideas that you can use to help create romance in your relationship.

Know what your partner likes

It may seem obvious at first, but many people make the mistake of trying to create romance without ever finding out what their partner truly likes. If your guy likes to see you in lingerie, why spend your money on a new dress to wear to the club or a restaurant?
Maybe your partner would rather have a romantic bubble bath for two instead of a new bouquet of flowers. It may be a nice though (dressing for him; buying flowers for her), but if it isn’t what your partner truly wants, then you are missing the point of romance.

True romance is knowing what pleases your partner, and taking the time to make them happy. If you don’t know what they like, then ask them. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed. There will always be something that you can learn about your partner, and don’t be surprised if your partner’s preferences change over time. Relax and go with the flow, you will keep the romance in your relationship alive.

Take the time to look into your partner’s eyes

Again, this may seem a very simple thing, but it is amazing how quickly a relationship can change from passionate to passive. Gazing in each other’s eyes can stimulate the senses and create romance. Make sure that you use plenty of eye contact in your day-to-day interactions as well. You will be amazed at how much you can say to each other with your eyes.

When you are around others, give your partner your undivided attention

If you want to create romance and keep it alive, then make sure your partner knows that they are the most important person in your life. Disaster can strike in an instant by giving another person more attention then your partner. Face it, some people like to be flirtatious and it seems they thrive on causing trouble in other’s relationships. If you notice that your partner is feeling uncomfortable with a situation, address it immediately. Your partner deserves to feel that they are the number one person in your life. Once they know that they are your one and only, the romance will follow naturally.

However there are definitely some favorites that everyone can agree upon. Here are some choices to consider when choosing romantic music.

From Him to Her

You Are So Beautiful: Joe Cocker

This song continues to be a favorite among those in love. The lyrics are beautiful and it truly describes the adoration he has for the love of his life. Joe’s heartfelt cry makes this one of the best love songs of all time.

When a Man Loves a Woman: Percy Sledge

The soulful serenade from Percy Sledge describes how every man in love views the object of his affection; in perfection. What woman wouldn’t want this song dedicated to her?

Have I told you Lately: Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart’s smooth tones are perfect for telling her that you love her. There isn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t melt as you gaze into her eyes and tell her how you feel, while Rod is singing this ballad in the background.

Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love: Barry White

There is nothing more romantic than the soothing bass of Barry White. He was often referred to as having a Velvet Voice, and when creating a romantic environment, Barry White delivers every time.

Always and Forever: Luther Vandross, Heatwave

Whether you listen to the classic by Heatwave or one of the newer remakes, Always and Forever continues to lead the way in top romantic songs. It is also perfect for weddings, or anytime you want to let your woman know that your love is eternal.

From Her to Him

Because you Loved Me: Celine Dion

Celine seems to be the epitome of romance. When it comes to singing the words that express how you feel towards your man, there is clearly no better choice than Because you Loved Me.

Here We Are: Gloria Estefan

This must be one of the best songs for women to play when they want their man to know that they want some intimacy.

Endless Love: Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross; Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross

Both of these versions are incredibly awesome. The lyrics are perfect for declaring your unfailing committed love to your partner.

You Light Up My Life: Debby Boone

You Light Up My Life is one of those songs that just says it all. When you want to tell your man how you feel play this song in the background.

When I Fall in Love: Celine Dion and Clive Griffin

What better song to express your truest sense of love, honor, and lifelong commitment then When I Fall in Love.

Whether it is dinner for two, a quiet evening by the fireplace, or if you just want to say I love you, by using these songs, you can ensure that your romantic evening will be complete. So light the candles, pick your song, and let the romance begin.