Roses, chocolates, teddy bears; it can only mean one thing: Valentine’s Day. The fourteenth day of February has arrived and you are deemed to spend it with the one you love to express your care and compassion. While the air is filled with romance and love ballads overtake the radio, there are also long lines at movie theaters, crowded restaurants, and couples filling the aisles at shopping centers. This year, step outside the lines of comfort and do something unique with one another that will not only avoid the exhausted and overused dinner and a movie date but will make the day one to remember.

While every day should be a testament to the love you share for one another, Valentine’s Day can be taken as a test to show how well you truly know each other. If there is something in specific your significant other has been dreaming of doing, why not take the day and fruition those dreams into reality? It may be from participating in a local marathon to tanning on the seaside at a nearby beach. Whatever you choose to do, find joy in each other’s company and remind one another how blessed your lives are with him/her in it.

Write a special letter.

While cards are quick and easy to purchase, they don’t hold the significant value that a personalized letter does. Take the time to write out your feelings. Retell the story of how you first met and what was going through your mind when you first laid eyes on him/her. Describe the emotions you felt during your first date or how you decided on the perfect way to propose. List all the reasons why you love him/her or the little things he/she does every day that make you smile. The possibilities are endless; no matter what you choose to write about, just let them know how much they mean to you. Share these letters with one another over breakfast in bed or at the end of the day.

Hint: Handwritten letters are much more romantic than typed or printed letters.

Take a day trip.

Visit a new city. Travel out of your town’s limits and see some new sights and lights. Whether it be 10 or 100 miles away, getting away from the norm will allow you to connect with your significant other as you become the only people you know in a strange and new place. Take a stroll through the city’s main streets and see what cultural differences exist outside of your everyday realm.

Book a couple’s massage.

Why not both enjoy the special treat of a Swedish massage while in the company of one another? You will both feel relaxed and rejuvenated and will cherish it all while at each other’s side. Any form of a spa retreat is perfect for Valentine’s Day and lit candles and mellow music set the perfect romantic ambiance.

Attend an ice-skating session.

While the weather is still cool, take advantage of local rinks that host public ice-skating sessions. Take the trust you hold for one another to a new level as you put faith in each another to have him/her catch you if you lose your balance or just fall down entirely Advertisement

[ Pala Mesa Resort ] with you. The smooth and slippery surface may bring some bruises, but more importantly, it will bring endless laughter and smiles throughout the day, for as you fall to the ground, you will also be falling deeper in love.

Share an indoor picnic.

Plan to stay indoors this holiday rather than going out into the crowds. Being alone will allow you to focus on one another and connect. This doesn’t mean you can’t dress up, though. Instead, wear your fanciest outfits and cook a decadent meal together. Light some candles or sit by a roaring fireplace and talk about the past, present, and future. End the meal with a glass of wine and your laughter filling the room.

Reenact your first date.

Nothing invokes romance faster than nostalgia. But instead of going through past photos of some of your favorite memories, recreate them instead. From the first restaurant you shared dinner at to the park you took your first walk at, whichever it may be, ignite the sparks that you felt on that first date, after all, they have led you to share this special day with one another.

Make pottery together.

Create something together to remember this day. Visit a local pottery shop and build a mug or a vase from clay. If you prefer painting, pottery shops sell a variety of handmade, original pieces: from plates to tea cups. Choose your favorite and sit down and spend some time painting it. This is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon and being creative will bring out your romantic side, as well. Who knows, you might end up painting multiple hearts all over a petite tea cup. Once you’re done, you can turn in your pieces to have them glazed and fired to keep as memories of the occasion.

Plan an escape.

If your work and budget allows it, plan a retreat for the two of you and get away for a few days. Board a train, book a flight, or just jump in the car. Get out of town, the state, or the country. Leave all your worries, responsibilities, and deadlines behind and travel to a new destination and create new memories with the one person you love the most.

You don’t have to be a hopeless romantic to express your love. The truth of the matter is the romance will come from knowing your significant other and listening and responding to their needs. Hold them close, kiss them spontaneously, and make them laugh. It’s just another day allowing you to tell them, "I love you."

Ideas for the perfect gift

♥ Schedule a photography session and have photos taken of the two of you together