Valentine

I love the Melting Pot! I don't know where you live or if you have one but that is a great experience. You can order a four course meal and the whole experience takes a few hours and can be very romantic. I suggest the one in Seattle if your in the area. When we went and we had our own little booth tucked away. It all starts with an appetizer of cheese, fruit and bread then you get a fresh salad, off to the main course and then dessert. I think we were there for four hours. It gave us plenty of time to talk and enjoy eachother over a delicious very filling meal.

Have you ever been to The Triple Door or Jazz Alley? They are beautiful places with great music. Get a reservation now if you want to check it out!
Good Luck, K.

Hi, I have the same problem as you except that my husbands birthday is on Valentines day as well. I feel I have double duty on one day lol. This year, I decided to change things up a bit and had a surprise birthday party for him the weekend before so we can celebrate Valentines as Valentines Day not both. We are going for a walk and picnic on the beach with the kids.

Hi C. G,
You got teens right..I am sure they can watch themselves for a few hours, You don't need a lot of money to do things. Even if you just go to a mini market, pick up a few dollars of chicken strips and a soda (an example) and go for a country ride or up in the mountains if near. Just hit a back road just to see where it leads! And don't forget to park somewhere for some private time for some kissing! I am a romantic I don't like fancy dinners or going out in public I would rather just be with my honey alone somewhere. So just think about it! And good luck to you and your husband! C. H.

Hi C.,

We are doing a cruise this year. It is held by one of the local radio stations and it will be fun. They have it every year for Valentine's Day. Last year we thought about it, and this year we bought tickets! A cruise is definitely something new to consider. We have a sitter all lined up and our daughter is staying over night. :)I am very excited and plan to have a manicure and pedicure before hand. :)Not sure what area you live in, but you could check into a cruise as an option.

Also, there is a fantastic book called Red Hot Monogamy. The Authors are married and discuss keeping marriage fun and enjoyable. This book is great for husbands and wives to read and enjoy together. Sometimes my husband wants to read it more than I do. LOL It is really fun to do the "hands on" exercises. LOL :)It helps make a marriage more connected and passionate. :)It is funny and a fairly easy read and gives great tips for making a marriage sizzle. :)

Blessings,

K.S.

My advice is not valentines day specific but for "date night" in general. Take turns planning the date night. One month it's your turn to plan everything (including the babysitter) and the next month it's his turn (again including the babysitter). My husband and I do this and it's turned into a pretty fun competition. It doesn't have to be expensive or extravagant either...one time he took me out for hot fudge sundaes and then we just went for a really long walk down on the beach.

Good luck!

L.

P.S. Happily married stay at home mom to 8 and 5 year old girls.

C., I am a happily married mom of five. I've been married for 20 years. Last year I decided to do something different than our run of the mill dates for valentines day. I still have smaller children at home so I arranged to have my kids spend the night with friends and I picked my husband up at work, telling him some reason that I needed to pick him up.(he usually car pools)I have never been able to keep anything from him. he usually finds out some how but this year he didn't. before I picked him up I checked into a hotel. Arranged the room with Sees Heart shaped chocolates all over the bed and sparkling Cider on ice I also had a CD player with Luther Vandross Music ready to play. I went and picked him up and took him to a park where he had proposed to me. We talked and I told him how much I loved him and our life together. gave him a valentine card. then we drove to a resaurant where I had made reservations for dinner. (a place we had never been.) I must say that my husband was really thrown off guard because he always knows what to expect and I had never done anything like this. I also never told him what was next. After dinner we drove to the hotel and had a very romantic evening and spent the night. it was awesome and very unforgettable. It recharged our marriage wonderfully. He said that it was the most wonderful valentine he had ever had and now is feeling the pressure to one-up me this year. good luck and have fun. J.

All I can say is "WOW!" My husband has never celebrated Valentine's day due to a very bad first Valentine's during our marriage. Last year I did get a "Happy Valentine's Day." Which was shocking! This year I am planning on giving him a Valentine's Day Massage for two. He's never had one and actually bought my first in Cabo last year. When we do have our "dates," it's dinner and home. I think we both just stay so busy we don't think about it. We do have about an hour each night after the kids are in bed, but he watches TV and I read either my business books or nursing. Now that I'm writing this my marriage sounds pretty boring...

You can find the special at The Massage Zone, online, too. Best of luck!

C.-

Getting creative about dates can get tricky if you've run into a rut. But with me and my hubby, creativity has been neccesary, since we have 3 small children (5, 2, and 1). We like to "pull pages" from our pre-married days and go for drives, buy a pint of Ben&Jerry's to share, go to the arcade and play air hockey... Often we date "in" with a nice meal (just for two) candles and music after the kids are asleep, watch old favorite movies with popcorn (sometimes we get all the way thru the movie... sometimes we don't... lol)

You can also try the bookstore for a book on creative dates. There are some good ones out there that can help put the spark back. I heard of one called "Simply Romantic Nights - Licence 4 Creative Intimacy". I think I might like to buy it an give it a try myself!

Best of luck to you!

-B.-

Rejoice if you get anything! Married 17 years and we are so busy sometimes we forget our anniversary.

I would like to read this too becuase I haven't been on a true date in 6 years.

You definately need to get out of your rut. If you plan it ahead of time, you won't fall in your rut. Make plans for dinner and a quiet night at home with wine, rose pedals, chocolate dipped strawberries and whipped cream for later. Don't have desert at dinner, have it at home. You could make reservations at a hotel that has the things that both of you like. You just need to think about what he likes and what you like and put them together for a wonderful evening. What works for me may not work for you. As long as your together you'll have fun.

Couple's Massage!
The only place I know of locally is Jinsei spa.

Lots of people come into a spa for couple's massage or other package. Lots of relaxation, and if you really insist on being in the same room to get quality time in, great. If you want separate rooms but just to both get lots of relaxation in, then go to dinner or something like that, you're all set. Or sometimes you can find someone to come to your home and you don't have to worry about driving "under the influence". Or you can start the day with a massage at a spa, then go to brunch. Best of luck!!

I too am having a hard time figuring out what to do for Valentines Day. I am a new mother and with a tight budget and I am out of ideas as well. Going out just gets crazy and to be honest, I am too tired & still not in the (right shape) for a romantic night. My suggestion would be to try to do something that might bring up memories of your first date or how he proposed to you. Maybe even something special that you did on you honeymoon. I hope that helps. :)))

The Davenport is ofering a photo package. They will also have specials.