Love Lesson

Great Gifts ideas for a Long Distance Relationship

Framed picture of yourself, or the both of you together.

Book of self-written love poems

Journal of all e-mail transcripts in chronological order

Digital picture frame with rotating pictures

Teddy bear with a personal voice message from you.

100 reasons why you can't wait to see them again.

100 things you wish you could do together.

Personalized CD

Web Cam

Digital or Polaroid camera for instant pictures

Blank journal to write in on lonely nights.

Engraved locket.

Album of your life story. Include information about your childhood, school life, pictures of your favorite places, etc.

Photo or secret message puzzle.

Prepaid long distance phone cards.

Fill in a self-help type journal and send it to your partner so they can learn more about the real you. Include a blank one so they can do the same.

Love letters self-recorded onto a CD or tape.

Scrapbook of your time spent together.

Personalized calendar with uplifting quotes and special days just for the two of you.

A Recipe For Romance

So, tonight's the night. You want to have a Romantic evening with your Lady. What's this, hesitation? O.K. your nervous, what if you can't pull this off? Well, let me help! I'll walk you through a complete Romantic Day fit for a Queen. Your sweetie will feel so loved, she will be amazed with all the effort you put into this one day just for her. Now, as explained in my book "the Ultimate Online Dating Handbook" you'll need to start planning this a few days in advance.

On the day you choose as the Romantic day start with this: Once your Love leaves for work send her an email that will be there when she opens the morning emails. Keep it fairly short. Say something like, "I miss you already, so I am making today your Romantic Day! All my Love (you)." Now you've made your sweetie very curious as to what it is you have up your sleeve.

Next, have flowers delivered to her work place. Roses work best, but if too expensive use carnations instead. A red and white rose mix says, unity, true love, innocence. Or red and white carnations show admiration and pure love. Have some baby's breath thrown in to show happiness. Have these delivered just after lunch so the entire office will see just how sweet her fella is. Include a note saying "Just an other part of your Romantic Day!" Trust me this will really make her day. And, once again you've peaked her interest. While your speaking with your florist order some rose petals. They're usually very inexpensive, and they'll be ready when you wish to pick them up.

Once the later part of the afternoon rolls around you will have to begin setting up for dinner. In advance of this day get together some Romantic accessories. You will need candle holders, and candles. Place mats, a table cloth, even some silk flowers in a vase you can add to the table. You'll also need wine or champagne. Find yourself a tape/cd of Romantic Music. An oldie but goodie would be a Barry White album. For dinner itself, you may be surprised to learn that it really doesn't have to be exotic. What ever you are good at cooking is just find. A lot of times it is the small jesters and atmosphere that makes the difference. So, if pasta is your thing, that's cool. Just dress it up a bit. Make a nice chefs salad as an appetizer. Find a local bakery and pick up some fresh buns or biscuits. While you're there pick up something for dessert. And, since most women loooove chocolate I'd go with some sort of chocolate layer cake. Well...really...anything chocolate would be great!

Now that you have dinner under control and you are chilling the wine/champagne it's time for you to get you ready. You need to shower, brush your teeth, splash on some great cologne, and find something really sexy to wear. Here is where you're going to have a bit of fun with your sweetie. Find a sexy pair of underwear and put just a housecoat over them. Now, write your sweetie a note, say something like "Sweetie, I had such a busy day I was tired and had to lie down, please come to the bedroom when you get home." Leave the note where she'll find it as soon as she comes in. Now, remember those rose petals? Sprinkle them on the floor leading to your bedroom, also put some on the bed. You should be lying there in your most sexy pose when she opens the door.

Well, I think you can take it from here ;-)

About the Author - Marie Clare specializes in writing about Dating, Relationships and Romance. Check out her lastest Best Selling eBook "the Ultimate Online Dating Handbook" at lifematesnow.com

Top 10 List of Romantic Comedies

Just in time for the holidays, here is my top 10 list of romantic comedies. . . .

The Princess Bride
Starring Cary Elwes and Robyn Wright Penn.A ridiculous,charming,witty modern day fairy tale played out.

Sleepless in Seattle
Starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.A single dad deals with his pushy son to start dating again and a single woman hears the heartbreaking story on a radio talk show deciding this man could be right for her.

There's Something About Mary
Okay, so it's a little tasteless (after all, it is a Farrelly Brothers film), it's still a hilarious tale of love, jealousy, and persistence. Ben Stiller stars as a shy, yet lovable, loser who never gets over the love of his life, Mary (Cameron Diaz). DVD features include outtakes, commentary, and a music video.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding
This little indie grew from a $5 million project into the biggest grossing romantic comedy of all time - all because of positive word-of-mouth. Shows what a little help from the audience can do to promote worthy projects.

When Harry Met Sally
Meg Ryan's restaurant scene is one of the most recognizable scenes in movie history. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are wonderful in this romantic comedy about the trials and tribulations of friendships between men and women. The DVD includes a "Making Of" documentary, a Harry Connick Jr. music video, deleted scenes, and interviews with the stars of the film.

Pretty Woman
Starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

Meet the Parents
This DVD is worth it just for the opportunity to watch DeNiro lose it while filming his scenes with Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller. This romantic comedy gem was so well-received, a sequel is currently in the works.

The Wedding Singer
An irresistible romantic comedy, teaming Adam Sandler with Drew Barrymore, and featuring a classic cameo by rocker, Billy Idol. Set in the mid-1980s, the film features some of the same music you hoped you'd never hear again, but in this film, it doesn't seem as bad as you remembered. The DVD's karaoke versions of "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" and "White Wedding" might actually have you longing for the 80s.

Annie Hall
Annie Hall is one of the truest, most bittersweet romances on film. In it, Woody Allen plays Alvy Singer, a successful--if neurotic--television comedian living in Manhattan. Annie (Dianne Keaton) is a Midwestern transplant who dabbles in photography and sings in small clubs.

Some Like it Hot
Directed by Billy Wilder, this film about two cross dressing musicians on the run from the mob is a romantic comedy at its core. It is a magnificently done film starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe that has a great love story complete with Tony Curtis channeling Cary Grant.

Transforming An Online Romance Into An Offline Reality

Okay, so you’ve finally managed to ask that amazing person out (through e-mail of course) that you’ve met thru online dating but are you ready for a possibly real relationship in the real world?

Well, for starters, don’t even think that just because online dating services have somewhat made the whole dating scene a “little less complicated”, it doesn’t automatically mean that they’ve been able to make things any easier. Sure, online dating services have been able to make the whole “meet and greet” process “quick and simple” but that’s where online dating ends and real life dating begins.

There are many online dating sites on the internet that are not just offering their free online dating services and some “valuable” tips on how to get things going in the “real world” may actually help you a bit but in order for you to survive the real world dating scene, you must have realistic expectations.

While you must be open minded about the whole adult online dating scene, you must not be naïve to believe in everything that you read/see on other people’s profiles. Again, while not everyone are coming up with false claims about themselves, its better be safe than sorry.

Sometimes it’s actually wiser to just meet up with the person that you’ve met thru online dating after interacting online for just awhile. While this will give you some time to actually get to know your new “friend”, this short span of time will at least give you a hint if this person that you’ve met through online dating is really someone whom you’d like to date outside the online dating arena. Try to interact on a more “personal basis” aside from exchanging e-mails or online instant messages, why not try to communicate the “old fashioned way” by calling each other up? Sometimes you can also get a better feel of a person’s personality by the way they carry themselves while they speak. There are some people who tend to have a weird laugh, even a creepy one, so can are you still willing to date someone like that? It’s best to a least get over some of the minor glitches that comes with online dating before you end up wasting your time with the wrong person.

As for finally going out on your date with someone you’ve met from these free online dating service sites, it’s best to keep things casual at first. Don’t try to rush intimacy because it might just blow back to your face. Try to get to know more of the person you’ve met through online dating just a little deeper before you decide on “taking the plunge” because you never can be too careful with strangers. Some might actually turn out to be psychos, married people or sexual predators even. It’s always best to not let your guard down even if the person you’ve met through online dating “seems nice”.

Once you’re already sitting across your date from the online world. You must remember some simple rules when trying to engage in some “witty conversation”:

Never ask overtly sexual questions nor make sexual innuendoes: men usually commit this mistake when they meet someone that they’re really physically attracted to. While there are those who to quick test the waters and are seeking to easily get lucky. Women sometimes makes the same mistake and basically for the same reasons as men but the point is, even though these people have put themselves out in the online dating scene, they are not offering free sex to just about anyone that they meet.

Never interrogate your date: while it’s good that you’re very much interested in your date and would want to get to know him or her on a deeper level, it is never safe to assume that you can ask your date just about anything that pops in your head. This can just make your date feel every uncomfortable and uneasy – how would you feel if you been made to feel like you’re under a microscope being scrutinized?

Be open minded: always remember that you’re two different people. No matter how much you have in common, you still have your own thoughts and ideas and while you or your date may not always agree on some things it’s best not to bee too biased or judgmental over other people’s opinions.

About the Author - Pablo D'amour- Online Dating Advisor

The Best Romantic Vacations - Five Ideas

The best romantic vacations are those that bring a couple together. This can mean spending time alone, without friends or family around. It can also mean an opportunity to do things together. Here are five of the best romantic vacations.

Beach Vacations

Beaches are romantic. The sun, sand, and the sound of the waves relax you and take away the stress and worry of "everyday life." Relaxation and escaping stress is always better for romance. Find a place that is ON the beach, not a hotel miles from the beach. Dealing with traffic, packing and unpacking the car is not romantic.

If you are on a budget, you can do like we did in northern Florida. We stayed in our conversion van at a campground on the beach. We collected shells together, flew a kite in the breeze and took our chairs down by the water to watch the sunset. The beaches of the great lakes are another great place to check out, and are much more affordable.

Cruises

Cruises may be the ultimate romantic vacation. You escape it all - even the sight of land. Being isolated together, especially in the comfort of a cruise ship, can be great for a couple. Just be sure that both of you like the idea, and budget enough so money worries don't steal the romance. (Cruise ship bars are notoriously expensive.)

Talk about your options. Perhaps you'll discover that both of you were assuming the other wanted a traditional sunny carribean cruise, when in reality, you both would love to watch whales and glaciers on an Alaskan cruise. There are many different styles and destinations for cruises. See if the cruise has activities that you'll enjoy participating in together.

Trains

In Ecuador, my wife and I took a train from Riobamba to Alausi. It was scenic, romantic and adventurous. I rode on the roof for part of the trip, then we snuggled to keep warm as it went high into the Andes Mountains. The final destination is a valley where you get a view of a rock formation high above, called "La Nariz Del Diablo," or "The Devil's Nose."

There are scenic and romantic train rides all over the world. Some of Amtrak's more scenic stretches take days and can be a vacation in themselves. Otherwise, you can plan a vacation around one or more "dinner trains" or scenic rides like the one we took from Silverton to Durango Colorado (beautiful mountains).

Skiing Vacations

These are only romantic if you both love to ski, of course. To be together in a dramatic setting, sharing something that you both enjoy - that is one of the best romantic vacations imaginable. Don't forget to sit together by the fireplace at least once while you're there.

Small Towns

We have found that some of our most romantic times are when we stay in small towns. This is especially true if the tourist season is mostly over, or hasn't yet begun. Silverton Colorado in September was one of our favorites. No crowds, fantastic views of the surrounding mountains, local music and dancing in the bars at night - it was very romantic.

Location isn't the most important part of the romance. Find a place you both want to go to, by all means, but also remember to find things you can do together. Trips where you can share common interests are the best romantic vacations.

Author - Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, cheap travel tips and travel information, visit www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

Some of my Favorite Love Quotes

You come to love not by finding the perfect person,
but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.
- Sam Keen

It is best to love wisely, no doubt;
but to love foolishly is better than
not to be able to love at all.
- William Thackeray

The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.
- Jacques Benigne Bossuel

To laugh often and love much... to appreciate beauty,
to find the best in others, to give one's self...
this is to have succeeded.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nobody will ever win the battle of the sexes.
There?s too much fraternizing with the enemy.
- Henry Kissinger

Love is an electric blanket with somebody else in control of the switch.
- Cathy Carlyle

Internet Romance - Good Idea Or Bad?

Mary's quest in finding a suitable partner for romance seemed impossible. She found the singles scene at clubs to be uncomfortable and her social circle seemed to consist of more married friends with a shrinking amount of singles.

Although she had heard of internet dating and saw the ads, she had hesitated to take what she imagined was a rather drastic step. What would her experiences be like? How would she find someone online? What were the risks?

If you are in this situation then quite likely you've considered venturing into online dating to meet someone.

Our lives are increasingly dependant on technology as opposed to face-to-face contact. It is not at all surprising that millions have already ventured into online dating as a way to find a relationship rather than waiting for a chance meeting.

But what are some of the findings as researchers spend more time analyzing the behavior of online daters?

In a study reported on CBS News, 15% of Americans with internet access have visited an internet dating site. 27% of them were 18-29 years old. Obviously online dating is a popular pastime.

The same study showed that 33% of unmarried internet users thought that dating online was a safe way to meet people although 34% acknowledged knowing someone who had a bad experience.

In another study reported by BBC News, online dating was seen as a way for women to feel empowered in relationships. The conventional inhibitions that they had in face-to-face relationships were replaced by a more upfront and in-control attitude when given the anonymity of the internet. Could this improve their chances at finding a perfect relationship?

Professor Helen Petrie was quoted in the BBC interview as stating "There are people who lack interpersonal social skills and would find it very difficult to meet people in bars. They may find it easy to meet in an internet room, but they still have the problem of meeting them face to face and if they have gone too far with the internet relationship, they may find that traumatic."

The truth is, many individuals find the anonymity of online romance encourages a certain amount of exaggeration or lying. While some claim that we always hide things at the beginning of a relationship, trying to put our best foot forward, the internet makes it easier to hide such things as facial expressions, income, marital status and even criminal records.

So while you may find, like Mary, that finding a romance relationship in the 'real' world is difficult - if you are still considering online dating it is wise to use caution and common sense. Be careful what you say about yourself and try to verify as much information as possible before meeting or personally contacting anyone you've met online and never meet them alone.

About the Author - Eileen Church is the webmistress for www.romancet.com which has great ideas and resources about romance.

My New Blog Feature - Translation

For all of my great friends outside the US, I’ve included a Google translation widget so you can read the posts in multiple languages. (Bottom right column)

Les meilleurs souvenirs
Riguardi migliori
Recuerdos
Vriendelijke groeten
Best regards

How to be a better kisser

As with driving, cooking, and cage fighting, kissing is a skill that requires practice. Most women like to think they’ve come a long way since locking braces with their high-school sweetheart. And they have! But still, there’s plenty more they could learn. Follow along with some tales of woe, and some tales of woah, and take notes on the dos and don’ts of kissing a man.

Lean to the right
“Lean to the right. I thought that was common knowledge, but I’ve been with at least three girls who went left when we went in for a kiss. It was adorably awkward, I guess, but I would’ve much rather avoided the conspicuous bruise that showed up on my forehead. I had to explain that it wasn’t a hickey, but a battle wound caused by make-out misdirection. To any woman who reads this, remember, go right.”
—Sam, cameraman

Take charge
“Don’t be afraid to take the lead. I was at a bar on New Year’s Eve and, when the ball dropped, some of my female friends and I exchanged quick smooches. Then I locked eyes with a cute friend of a friend, who I’d never really met before. The mood took over, and we started to kiss. Next thing I knew, my back was against the bar and we were deeply making out. Her kissing style wasn’t overly aggressive, just firm, confident, and sexy. She took charge, and I was powerless to resist.” —Steve, writer

Close your eyes
“I had one girlfriend who, for some reason, always kept her eyes open when we kissed. I’d get this strange feeling that I was being watched while we made out, only to open my eyes briefly to find her staring back at me. Not only was it disconcerting as hell, but it made me self-conscious. Was she picking apart my moves? Did I make some kind of funny face I wasn’t aware of? I’d be completely thrown for the rest of the night.” —Jon, editor

Get your hands in on the action
“Run them through my hair, or, if you really want to get me going, stroke my neck. Yeah, it’s a bit effeminate of me, but it makes me feel as if she’s enjoying it so much that she can’t control herself. Just lip-to-lip contact is the missionary position of making out.”
—Timothy, writer

Pause before you pucker
“A well-timed pause can really add to a passionate kiss. I love it when a girl leans in but doesn’t lock lips right away. She’ll go right to the point where we’re about to close our eyes, and then smirk or giggle or do something that lets me know she wants to savor the moment. And so do I.”
—Chris, certified financial planner

Chuck the gum
“Is it really too much to ask that you not chew gum when we kiss? It’s funny in the movies when a girl kisses a guy and he magically ends up with her gum in his mouth, but real life is a different story. I’m all for a little tongue-on-tongue action but, please, ditch the Trident before we get there.”
—Chandler, 34, club promoter

No brushstrokes
“I went on a semi-blind date and the conversation was natural, we both laughed a lot, and I think we both knew the date was going to end with a first kiss. Unfortunately, her technique can best be described as ‘lip painting.’ She literally painted my lips with her tongue, in a circular motion. I recoiled as politely as I could, and retreated to some pecks. Then I escaped in a cab and never called her back.”
—John, radio host

By Matt Christensen - he has written for Maxim and WWE Magazine.

A wedding to Remember - Funny Wedding Bloopers