Eclipse awakened a hopeless romantic.

The third movie in the Twilight series left me breathless from beginning to end. My romantic side came to life. Sure, I floated back to Earth when the lines between fantasy and reality crossed… like when Edward said, “let’s wait until we’re married” as Bella was about to rip her clothes off.

It was right about then I started thinking about love and marriage in the present.

People have become comfortable with the notion that romance is dead.

It doesn’t have to be.

Eclipse reminded me to make time for romance. I don’t have to be a vampire to fight for romance and drink it in.

Try these 13 easy suggestions:

Plan talking dates. Once the kids are in bed or the work put away, be present, TV and distractions off. Look at each other. Fall in love sharing ideas and dreams again.

Spark romance with romance. It’s easy to wait for the other person to make the first move. Start with the only thing you can control – yourself. Write a poem, give a back massage with no strings attached, buy flowers, send a sweet text message.

Shower together. This doesn’t have to lead to sex. Just enjoy the view, get clean and soak in a wet kiss.

Snuggle. Reach over to the other side of the bed and cuddle up, no matter how badly you need sleep.

Simply think of the other person. Pick up his favorite item at the grocery store, pour a glass of wine, take over the dishes for the night.

Cook together. Come up from behind to steal a kiss.

Dust off and open the wedding photo album.

Read in bed together. Just being quiet in the same room can be incredibly romantic.

Hold hands and walk around your own yard. See how the garden is growing, check out the new flowers popping up, share your plans for the patio.

Make it a routine. It’s so easy to fall into a rut and take each other for granted. Make it a routine to do the opposite. Steal away for the weekend, role play, have date nights just the two of you.

Avoid petty fights. Are you quick to point out the faults and expect the favors? Take a moment to think about how you act and behave, both in public and private. If something makes your cringe, make it better.

Slow dance. With or without music, with or without coordination.

Share an umbrella. The closeness reminds me: There is only him. When it rains, let romance pour.

All of my best nights have happened since I met you. – Edward Cullen, Eclipse

Photo by Miriam Cardoso de Souza

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SEE ALSO:

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