Section 1 : Creating Memories for Special Days

Think of a birthday party you may have had as a child. One where your friends came to your home dressed in their better-than-ordinary clothes, and you played games like Musical Chairs and Pin the Tail on the Donkey, before sitting down to a special dinner that ended with a candle-lit birthday cake, ice cream, and those great presents. Days like this were magical; ones that you will never forget.

I'm sure you would agree that we all grow up looking forward to special days. Remember how the whole world seemed to revolve around birthdays and holidays when you were young? You waited with such longing for these days that never seemed to come quickly enough. Feelings were further enhanced by a warm family setting and time spent with those you loved. When you got a little older and had a boyfriend or girlfriend, you added anniversaries and Valentine's Day to those days you considered special. With time, the birth of a child or other important events may have been added to your list. These are the special days that occur every year. The very reason they are special is because there are only a handful of them. If half of the days of the year were like birthdays, their specialness would decrease dramatically and their magic would disappear. There would be little cause for celebration.

For many, the very idea of romance conjures up the image of a special day. A day when one partner goes all out to make this day stand out in their lover's memory. A day when a person sets out to make the ordinary worries of the world vanish from their partner's shoulders. A day to become immersed in the innocence and freedom of childhood, and leave daily concerns behind. A time when everything is infused with wonder and your creative thoughts run freely. After all, isn't that the very way you feel when you're in love and look into your partner's eyes? A feeling that nothing beyond what you are seeing and experiencing could ever be more important?

Because most of us lead rather busy lives, it can be easy to forget about romance. We tend to get involved in the routine of our lives, and rely on the fact that there are set days throughout the year when romance takes the fore-when it is very much a responsibility.

This type of obligatory romance is often a person's main focus when he or she wants to express love to his or her partner. There are a number of days in a year that lend themselves very nicely to this idea of "special."

Birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, and Christmas are keenly associated in our society with gifts and romance. The aim on these days is to create the kind of "special day" we have just talked about. On the other side of the coin are the expectations that arrive with these special days. We have had it imprinted in our minds that such days require special treatment, and there is an inherent pressure that accompanies the arrival of a birthday or other holiday. As the number of days in a year for "special" plans can tend to get intimidating, it is hard for even the most creative of people to keep their offerings fresh and romantic. We can all use some help now and then. Planning something creative or romantic for birthdays, anniversaries, or other days that are inherently special can be a positive experience. And because they are set dates, you can design something carefully for them well in advance. Take advantage of the time and always be open to new ideas. Often, romantic inspirations spring up where you least expect them.

The planning and execution of your gift should be fun. It is very easy to become passionate about something and become immersed in its preparation. When you act out of love and caring for your partner, there is the potential for a special day for both parties. Dreaming up romantic ideas for your lover shouldn't become a worrisome task. With the help of this book, you can look forward to these special days as much as your partner does, just like you did when you first met. Go with the feeling and trust the results as you experiment with your expressions of love. Although all the entries found in Part I are located in specific chapters, there is no rule saying you can't customize them for a different occasion. Have fun and let those feelings of romance be your guide.

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