| Did you go to a reunion, wedding, or a party | | | | Number Three Romantic Date– Singin’ In |
| lately, see an old flame, and realize how much you | | | | The Rain: |
| missed the person? Or did you ever lose touch | | | | Did you ever see that movie? Just makes me |
| with someone special after a move or a breakup | | | | want to break out my old tap shoes and dance |
| and now you’re getting back together? Did | | | | on the sidewalks and the streets. You could do |
| something come along and sideline a relationship | | | | that of course— or, you could share a big |
| once and you just never got back to it for | | | | umbrella, walk the streets together, sing songs |
| whatever reason? | | | | you know, and look for a coffee shop where you |
| Or, perhaps, you have met someone exciting and | | | | can enjoy a cup of brew and dry off. This date |
| new and you want a memorable date as a first | | | | depends on how creative and spontaneous your |
| date to make the beginning of what you hope will | | | | partner is. |
| be many more happy ones. | | | | Number Four Romantic Date– Take a Class |
| The point is, if you’re smitten, and you want | | | | Together: |
| something to do that is unique, here are some | | | | How creative can you get? There are all types |
| great dates to mark the occasion: | | | | of yoga classes offered in different cities—all |
| What is the Number One Most Romantic Date? | | | | are recommended for health and longevity. |
| That would be: A catered or picnic lunch by a | | | | Classes in Spanish, Italian, French, or German |
| waterfall. How do you go about setting this up? | | | | speak loudly to the idea of taking a trip together |
| Get a map and see if your area has a waterfall | | | | once you get through the class and want to go |
| within an hour’s drive from where you live. (It | | | | somewhere to practice what you’ve |
| stops being romantic if you have to drive too | | | | learned. Trips, restaurants that cook the food of |
| far.) Contact several caterers and ask if they | | | | the country you are studying, and concerts with |
| cater lunch by a waterfall. If no one does, just | | | | their cultural music will make the dates even more |
| buy a prepared picnic basket from a deli—or | | | | fun while you expand your cultural bandwidth. |
| make your own. Be sure and find out what | | | | Number Five Romantic Date– Volunteer |
| kinds of food your date likes. Prepare some of | | | | Together: |
| them if you feel like it. Buy anything else you | | | | When the economy is tight, these are the days |
| need. If you don’t have a waterfall, scout | | | | when every minute and dollar is short. Yet, no |
| for a reasonably fun place for a picnic. I vote | | | | matter how hard times get, someone else has it |
| for the sound of water. Maybe you’re in a | | | | harder. This is where you and your date – |
| boat or sitting outside the courthouse with a | | | | or steady – can find time to contribute to |
| water feature, or sitting on a park bench in the | | | | others and find out more about each other. This |
| rain, under a big umbrella, sipping a cup of hot | | | | is where you can see what kind of person |
| soup, hot coffee, and a homemade cookie! | | | | you’re dating. And if your date has not |
| Number Two Romantic Date– Boat Rides: | | | | been a volunteer before, this is a huge bonus in |
| Whether you are riding the Staten Island Ferry at | | | | learning to serve others. Even if your relationship |
| night, admiring the Manhattan skyline, or paddling | | | | doesn’t last, your influence of helping those in |
| on a small pond in a rowboat, something about | | | | need will. If you don’t know where to begin, |
| boat rides stirs a person’s thoughts. If you | | | | here are some ideas: |
| ask good questions, you might get a flow of | | | | - Local animal shelters need assistance walking the |
| conversation going. Boat rides can be quiet, | | | | dogs, among other tasks |
| provoking memories or a rush of emotions to | | | | - Programs for children such as Head Start or |
| share with someone. Again, you have the | | | | after school care need people to read to children. |
| mesmerizing water that leads to a serene | | | | - Nursing homes appreciate volunteers who will |
| adventure. Take a bag lunch and a bottle of | | | | visit and talk to the people in their care. |
| wine if you plan to spend enough time on the | | | | If you have other skills that people would |
| water. Warning: be careful if you are planning a | | | | appreciate, such as drawing, singing, or playing a |
| cruise. Some of us get seasick. My husband | | | | musical instrument, be generous— share what |
| gave me an anniversary cruise once, and five | | | | you can do. These dates are great ways to build |
| miles out of Miami, I was so green, I wanted to | | | | memories and discover unknown qualities about |
| jump off the ship and swim back to shore. | | | | each other. |