Dear Reader, please don’t underestimate the power of little notes and those little gifts or favors. It can seem mundane, such as a tiny sticky note I left for my paramour the other day. All it said was “You’re right…,” plus the explanation that I had been wrong about trying to discard the lamp shipping box by myself (he had offered since it was quite cumbersome, but I had previously declined the help). Later on when we connected, he referred to it fondly letting me know he got it –- as if it was romantic! Occasionally, on the way home from work I will pick up a seaweed salad for him at the local Asian food store (the fresh ones they make on-site are his favorite). For a material cost under five dollars, I have brightened his day!

FROM THE BLOGS

Taking a similar concept a whole lot further, Karly Randolph Pittman at First Ourselves explains how to cultivate gratitude for your partner via a notebook -– and how it saved her marriage while going through a particularly trying patch. As a bonus, through it, Karly also found a way to ask for what she wanted. Like many of us may have felt, early in her relationship she erroneously assumed that if someone loved her, they would just know what she needed. Check it out here.

Here’s a brief post with advice on how to have fun and conduct flirting at parties without it later resulting in a fight with your loved one…from LifeTips. Follow this link.

For singles, Toni Coleman says you need a Dating Elevator Speech when attending a singles event. Like the prepared elevator speech one uses to pitch their talents for work, your dating elevator speech pitches something about yourself beyond the surface – beyond your appearance and grooming which can overshadow first impressions. Having one can make you more confident, take the edge off meeting new people and help things go more smoothly during that initial conversation which can be nerve-racking! More here.

Here’s to ever-brighter days with our loved ones. (: