Romance? What is Romance?

by Cory H. on February 9, 2009

Last week’s free flower giveaway was a bit of an eye opener for me. When I asked men to leave their most romantic story, I was surprised that so many of the answers were so…not romantic. Initially, I thought it was just me, but then my wife commented on it after reading the entries…then a friend of mine was like, “Dude, the guys who read your blog are totally not romantic. Guess that’s why they think you can help them, huh?”

At first, I was a little offended at my friend’s insinuation, but after some thought I was like, “Well, Cory, you started this site because you thought it could be a resource.” So…yeah, I guess there are quite a few guys out there who have no idea that men & women think different things are romantic.

Men see romance as a task to complete.

Is it true? Many of the comments on that post were about the way that men proposed to their wives. A few were about what they did for their wives before they were married. I can’t be sure, but I don’t think any of the stories occurred within the last 2 – 3 years.

Is romance a list of set procedures? Can you maximize the return on investment of a romantic gesture and calculate out what you can get with the least amount of effort? I am guessing that any women reading this are repelled just by the idea of that last sentence.

Romance as relationship maintenance.

Responsible men know that they need to get their car serviced. You change the oil every 5000 miles, put gas in, and get the brakes checked. Romance is the equivilant of relationship maintenance. Take your wife out for a date, bring her a gift for no reason, praise her regularly, and touch her lovingly. Regular romance is better than any single gesture of love over time.

Last week, when I asked for a story of the most romantic thing you’ve done for your wife, perhaps I did you all a bit of a disservice by putting attention on that singular event. Attention should really be paid to what are you doing now?

What does ongoing romance mean to you?

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my wife loves potato fries so today on the way back home from work I decided to get her some on a whim. I had to run several blocks though to make my bus connections on time. But the expression on her face was worth it. She does small stuff like this more frequently than I do. I guess this is our ongoing romance.

I didn't bother entering the contest, because I don't have any big romantic moments. Instead, I buy flowers for non-occasions, cook for her, do the dishes when she doesn't expect it, rub oil into her back... whatever.

I don't honestly know if she recognizes this as my attempt to be romantic or not. There's lots of room for me to improve. But I came here because I put effort into other areas of development, so why not romance as well?

Steven Fishers last blog post..NERD

Good observations. I felt bad/weird that my "Most Romantic" was my proposal as well. That's why I even checked it with my wife first. ;-)

But in reality, since you asked for the "Most Romantic Thing", you probably could have expected most of the stories would have been related to the "big" moments -- proposals, weddings, having a baby, etc.

You're right that the romance of marriage is in the day to day. Like Hayden says, the romance starts to really shine in the little things.

Particularly once you have kids. There aren't many opportunities for big romance moments when one won't fall asleep until 10 and the other is awake and in your bed at 3 AM thinking there's a dragon in the closet.

So you create a few "special" moments, but you thrive on the glances, the smiles, the funny things the kids do and say, and the little gestures of love in the day-to-day.

I agree with the thrust of your post... but echo the sentiment that "you got what you asked for" by asking for the "MOST" romantic thing.

Michaels last blog post..Granite City Theatre Project Moves Forward

This is a really hard question to answer. For me and Chris it isn't so much an activity or event... It's his attitude towards me and our marriage. He'll do anything if he knows it will make me happy.

For instance, yesterday we made pumpkin cookies together. Not particularly 'romantic' unless you take in the fact that he probably won't eat most of them. Or the way he brings me water, turns on the fan, and doesn't leave his underwear on the floor.

It's a bunch of little things that show he considers me - my happiness and well being - and does them without any fanfare or expectation of a pat on the back.

He does a thousand little acts of service that make me feel loved and adored and appreciated.

So I don't know. If that isn't romance, then what is?

Hayden Tompkinss last blog post..How to Rock Your Valentine’s Old Skool!

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