First and foremost, this post is a response to Though Catalog's "21 Uncommon Romantic Gestures That Would Make Any Girl Melt."
It seems to me that women (and some men) address topics like this on social media all the time. There have been TONS of blog posts that drop "hints" (more like A-bombs) as to what kinds of romantic gestures one could do to woo their significant other. Well, THIS blog post is about the romantic gestures that are done basically every day, that are taken for granted and simply forgotten.
1. Take Out the Trash
It smells, I know, but mundane activities like this are vital to keeping the romance alive. For example, you two just came home from a swanky night out, ready to pounce on each other, but while you were gone, your dog got into the trash and the smelly destruction is strewn throughout the house. That's going to dampen (or more likely, ruin) the mood, right? Taking care of the boring stuff shows that you're responsible and that can open the door to more trust, respect, and overall romance.
2. Let Them Pick What to Watch on Netflix
Of course she wants to watch Gilmore Girls. So let her. What's a 45-minute episode of Loralai making bratty comments and Rory's dramatic love-triangle compared to you watching Star Trek by yourself while she reads in the other room? At least you'll get some cuddling in and doing something you don't find all that thrilling will allow her to see that you're willing to compromise. You never know, watching Gilmore Girls tonight may lead to watching Star Trek the next time you're sofa-slumming.
3. Help Cook Dinner
Even if you're not the chef in the home, lending a hand in the kitchen is actually really helpful (and super fun.) You get the chance to see them working on something that the two of you will enjoy together at dinner, so why not turn on some music and help out? You may even be able to steal a dance. I'll be damned if a slow-dance doesn't add romance!
4. Kill a S*****
In our home, the 6-letter word for an Eight-legged Creature From Hell is a swearword, which its use can condemn you to unspeakable embarrassment (in some from or another, I'll let your imagination do the rest.) If you know that your partner doesn't like bugs, saving them from a panic attack by ending that little hellion's life may just make your day a little better. And telling them that you killed it, will evoke some sort of "you're my hero" rewards. ;)
5. Let Them Rant
We all have bad days. Listening to your significant other rant about what ever is bothering them allows them not only to relieve some steam, but it can help you learn more about what makes them tick. As my husband says, sometimes you need to "Rubber Duck It," which means that in order to actually process something and move on, you may need to talk it out. When you let them rant, you show that you're a good listener, a key characteristic of great relationships. Therefore, a key to romance.
6. Make Coffee (or Tea) When You're the First One Up
When you're tired, you're more likely to have a bad day. If you're up early, start that coffee maker so your partner has one less time-taker-upper when they're in their morning routine. This way, they'll get their caffeine fix and it will be less-likely that they'll leave late, thus throwing off their whole day. Morning routines in our house are serious business, so when one of us jumps above the morning expectation, the other always finds it sweet.
7. Give Them Compliments, and Let Them Compliment You
When I say compliment, I mean use real compliments: smart, funny, understanding, patient, helpful, thoughtful, kind, inspiring, hard-working, proud, etc. Let them know that you value their soul and all the little things that make them special. Especially for women, I find that people sometimes shrug off compliments, but if you don't accept them, you'll stop getting them. One day, you'll be really sorry you ever said, "No, I'm not." Let them be romantic.
8. Ask Them About Their Day
Again, mundane is meaningful. When you take the time out of your busy/hectic/stressful/crazy day to ask how their's went, it really shows that you take them seriously and value their life experiences. Asking them about their day shows that no matter how much you have on your plate, you care about what they're up to or how they're feeling.
9. Pick Up Those Dirty Socks
Whether they're yours or your significant other's, taking care of your home is really important to your romantic lives. I mean, how can you get down and dirty if your bedroom is already dirty? Cleaning up after yourself around the house is one sure-fire way to ease tension and keep from having a pointless argument. Constant fighting/bickering is the death of romance.
10. Get Gasoline If You're Driving Their Car
Routine is super important to having a good day. Just like making coffee, if your partner has to stop on the way to work, they may get there late, which is just bad manners. When you're out and about together, make sure to stop for gas if they're running low. It's a small, super kind gesture that is so simple, but so thoughtful. You're partner will be grateful.
11. Don't Change the Radio Station
Another thing about being in the car, when you're on the road and that stupid song (that you know they love, but you despise) comes on the radio, don't turn the station. Let them sing the damn song and be happy, because look at it this way, three minutes of annoyance is much better than having them think that you're inconsiderate.
12. Tell Them That Stupid Joke Your Co-worker Told You and Made You Think of Them
Tell them anything that happened during the day that made you think of them. Send them the link to a cute cat video during the day or repeat the blonde joke your boss said at your three o'clock meeting. If you know it will make them laugh, share it. Keeping playfulness in you relationship is a really easy, and, not to mention, fun way to be romantic.
13. Replace the Toilet Paper Roll
...or put the toilet seat down. Let's be honest here, a lot of bad habits are often formed out of laziness. Even making the effort to break these habits shows that you can adapt. As humans, we should all strive to be ever-evolving, constantly working towards being the best version of ourselves that we can be. Making sure that we are becoming better can definitely be applied to our daily habits. And being awesome is totally romantic. *swoon*
14. Hold Hands
Physical intimacy is really, really, really, really important to romance. Even something such as holding hands (which can be labeled as low-key PDA) shows the world that you two belong together, which I don't know about you, but I'd scream my feelings for my husband from the top of Chase Tower in downtown Indianapolis. Trust me, holding hands leads to and arm around the waist to a kiss to several kisses to the we-better-close-the-door-before-someone-sees-this kind of stuff.
15. Say "I Love You"
Three words is all it takes to really convey how you feel about your significant other. Nothing in this world is more romantic to me than the fact that I know (and am told) every day, without a shadow of a doubt that I am and always will be the love of Dylan's life. You just can't beat that.
Remember, when you're out in the world living your lives, fill it with special moments that can be found in the everyday. You don't have to fill the house with vases of long-stem roses or buy expensive champagne to drink on a horse-drawn carriage ride though the city to be romantic. Just being yourself is romantic enough.
