Surrender To Romance
By William Fredrick Cooper
Written: Februrary 14, 2003

LOVE:
A strong affection for or attachment to another person based on regard or shared experiences, interests, personal or familial ties; An intense attraction to another person based on sexual desires; the deep tenderness, affection and concern felt for a person with whom one has or wishes to have a relationship based on a sexual attraction.

ROMANCE:
To woo; to attempt to gain the affection of someone; to act in a chivalrous fashion or sensuous manner.

According to my good pal Noah Webster, these are the definitions of the aforementioned energies of power. However, personal explanations of these words are derived from personal opinions, orientations, preferences and experiences. Occurrences in our youth and present day sometime shape our attitude towards these words, often leaving us skeptical, cynical and wary of exhibiting the behavior of love or the action of romance. More often than not, we feel we have to control Love and Romance; why harness something so authentically enriching? Our failure to nurture the behaviors of love and the actions of romance is doing a disservice to both our partners and ourselves.

If you ask many, the Art Of Romance, being Romantic, or allowing oneself to exhibit or be the recipient of Romance is archaic. Not true. ROMANCE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. Start with simplicity: send your loved one a note, a card or a poem, just because. Or, make an afternoon phone call and reveal your innermost thoughts and fantasies of passion. If you ‘re conservative, then tell your loved one that the day won’t be complete until you have held their hand.

Remember that Romance doesn’t take an obscene amount of money. You will find that people appreciate the little things in life, such as holding hands, pulling out chairs, assisting with coats and holding doors open. Even just sitting together watching the sunset or watching your favorite movie is Romantic. Writing love letters, or simply reading the Sunday morning paper with your lover is a way of expressing yourself romantically. Or, in an important alternative, sharing GOD by worshipping together at church. Allowing the genesis of love into to your souls together while praising Him is a fine display of being evenly yoked in Love.

If you want romance in your life, you have to learn how to be romantic. For instance, send your lover on a treasure hunt to you, offer her a sensual toenail polish or offer to give him a close, close shave. If your lover watches sports all day on Sunday, make it more enjoyable by giving him/her a quickie and a sandwich during halftime. Romance can be light and airy. Buy a couple of monster water guns and have a water fight that leads to passionate lovemaking.

Of course there are always the surprise trips to the city of lights.. .Paris or the city of love... Venice. Your pockets might not be that heavy. In that case, surprise your lover with a trip inside your heart. Pick them up from work, blindfold until you reach your destination. Take the blindfold off and let her/him open her/his eyes to the sights and sounds of a wonderful candlelit dinner with white-gloved servers waiting along with a violinist expressing your love for her/him through music. You can also surprise your lover with a day at the spa together. Have his and her massages, facials, pedicures and manicures. Not only can these things be sensual, it is a wonderful thing to do as a couple. If you’re left alone for a short period of time, a little smooching is okay.

If you don’t live with your lover, call him/her in the middle of the night and make love over the telephone. Call in the middle of the afternoon and ask your lover... What can you do with: A Cup of Ice, A Candle, A Peppermint, and plenty of time...? Leave them guessing and anticipating. If they continue to ask you what can be done, tell them this: “I can show you better than I can tell you. It’s like the Matrix: "No one can ever be told what it is, you have to experience it for yourself”

Most of all, make your partner feel that in this moment, here and now, they are the most important, desirable, sexy and beautiful person in your personal universe and thank them for sharing it with you.

I truly believe in Romance, for it is the ultimate manifestation of love, God’s most precious gift to us all.