A Friend asked me not too long ago (OK... quite a while ago) to put together a little Ditty about Romance.
Itseems that I'm a sucker for some good sucking up so I got elected. I agreed. A few moments after I agreed, it occurred to me that it's Fully possible I actually know nothing about romance. I mean, look at us, we're a stressed out couple with The proverbial (albeit large) house with the white picket fence and 2.5 spawn and a dog that leaves us even more stressed and usually snippy with each other. Most days in our house "fuck You" is not a request but more of a directional suggestion. What the Hell would I/we know about romance?
Then a second thought occurred to me. We've been this way for all of our 18 years together. There has to be something we're doing that makes the "directional request" less offensive. I'm not certain I would call it romance rather than self preservation. It really is and always has been just something we do to and for ourselves and each other. It might be a small thing like saying thank you to a large thing like a getaway.
So, how do we keep it fresh or at least this side of not killing each other?
First and foremost we remember that No matter what or who is going on in our lives, we Come first. (Some people may disagree with this but...) Mr B was in my life before we had children, friends, etc... Mr B will be in my life after the children, friends etc... give up hope and leave us. That being said, Mr B is always my first priority. If we're less than enamored with each other, there will come a point when children have to make their own damn sandwiches. Friends will have to entertain themselves. We need us time and we will take it above all else (and literally anyone else).
We believe whole heartedly in public affection. I am stunned almost daily that I still enjoy Mr B's company so much after all these years. My marriage role models weren't that great as a youth. That being said, if I like him so damn much why would I not show it and I mean show it to everyone? Don't get me wrong, we aren't steaming up the glass section of Home Depot or anything but if we feel the need for a quick kiss in line at the grocery, we'll damn well do it and I don't care if your "young impressionable" children are Watching. We even have the "escalator/elevator law". No matter how angry we may be at each other, we are required to take a kiss before the ride ends. I feel lost without holding his hand. We'll be the 120 years olds holding hands in our wheelchairs. If you see us, smile and go on your merry way. We're not hurting anybody.
We (me mostly) believe in mementos. I do still have ALL of the letters we wrote to each other any time we were separated for enough time to write and send them. I can tell you how much postage increased on any given year. Admittedly they are snuggled somewhere in the basement (probably next to the giant PEZ our eldest made in kindergarten). I'm a keeper. I keep all of the special things that make memories. One day my memory will refuse to conjure these things and having them is important. I mean really, I still have the receipt for the hotel room where our eldest spawn was conceived and the calendar where I wrote down the day of our first date (Cinco De Mayo BTW). Once in a while we look back through these items (usually when we're cleaning the basement) and remember that once upon a time we didn't have 2.5 Kids, a dog, and the proverbial white picket fence, and need directions to hell.
We believe in surprises. Mr B doesn't wait until my birthday to leave gifts on my car seat. I don't let the anniversary of our first date pass without calling the hotel and making sure they make a big deal out of it when he's out of town. We don't see the need to wait until real "Hallmark" holidays to buy (or make) each other cards and write gooshy sentimental crap in them. I've been known to receive quite the surprise when I lowered my sun visor only to be showered with tiny confetti notes that read "I love you". Let me tell you it scared the hell out f me at the stop light!
We believe in the little things. I enjoy making Mr B Coffee on the days he sleeps in even though I don't drink it (probably tastes like ass since I have no idea what I'm doing but I try). Mr B will drive to the store on Saturday mornings to be sure I have Red Bull when I wake up (doesn't taste like ass because it comes canned and he didn't make it). Doing dishes. Cooking dinner. Retrieving something for each other when one of us has made countless trips to that particular area already. Sitting with the other when they're doing something you may not enjoy. Carpooling to work just to be with each other even when it costs you more gas. Date nights (just an hour to snuggle knowing that we'll be wearing dirty socks in the morning because we bypassed laundry to make time).
In short, it's the things you do for each other that make you remember that you are thankful this person is in your life that are romance. The human mind is a wicked thing. If we aren't reminded of things, we forget them and sadly sometimes it happens to be the fact that you adore the person standing before you. Making the person who really is the center of your world feel like they really are the center of your world is the easiest, smallest, simplest thing to do yet probably the most overlooked. We take for granted that this person adores us and will fully put up with our craziness without at least a little compensation once in a while! I mean seriously, if you have to alphabetize the pantry after every shopping trip, at least a prolonged hug is in order!
Make the time! Remind them and you may find that you are reminding yourself too once in a while.
For people who do not know him, Twicespice is quite the 'ditty' writer. For many years I know a lot of people used to visit their Profile on AMM just to see what 'dirty ditty' Twice had written for the month to make their profile stand out.
Do you still do that spice ? Its been age since we perved at your profile.
Can't wait for some of your articles, even though we disagree on so many points about the Lifestyle, at least your arguments are generally well thought out and you know how to spellcheck.
Friend asked me not too long ago (OK... quite a while ago) to put together a little 
First and foremost we remember that 
We believe in surprises. Mr B doesn't wait until my birthday to leave gifts on my car seat. I don't let the anniversary of our first date pass without calling the hotel and making sure they make a big deal out of it when he's out of town. We don't see the need to wait until real "Hallmark" holidays to buy (or make) each other cards and write gooshy sentimental crap in them. I've been known to receive quite the surprise when I lowered my sun visor only to be showered with tiny confetti notes that read "I love you". Let me tell you it scared the hell out f me at the stop light! 
