One of my favorite poems is “How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It speaks to the depths of my emotion and I often think, I feel the same way about my husband. He always smiles when I quote the poem to him. He loves the hear the words even though they were first pinned to another man by another woman born over two hundred years ago.

Expression of love through poetry is a wonderful way to say things to your lover that you might not know how to say in your own words. Even though there are hundreds of different ways to express your love this may be one of the best kept secrets of all. Yes, you should still surprise your partner with special gifts on special dates – that’s a given for any romantic relationship. But, if you really want to touch the chord of romance deep within their soul, try romantic poetry..

And, don’t worry if you’re not a poet! Your local library is full of books. The Internet is also a rich resource of poetry for romantic occasions. Or, visit your Hallmark Card Shop. They have a wealth of romantic poetry to commemorate any special occasion.

The best way, however, is always to pen your own heart-felt emotions. Again, you don’t have to worry that you are not a poet. You don’t need to be one. Just write what’s in your heart — it doesn’t have to rhyme and the meters do not have to balance. Just say it.

Now, I realize this may be easier for women to do than men. I remember when my husband and I were dating and he discovered our mutual love of poetry. We decided we would quote or read poems to each other to express our love. One day, he put his arms around me and starting quoting one of his favorite poems in a deep husky voice,

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore–
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping–rapping at my chamber door.
“‘Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door–
Only this and nothing more.”

I leaned back from him, laughter bubbling up inside. “Edgar Allen Poe! That’s not a romantic poem!” I cried out, laughing so hard tears were coming to my eyes. Undaunted, he finished the whole sordid poem while I laughed harder and harder. When he finished I sobered up enough to ask him, “What, pray tell, was romantic about that poem?”

“I had my arms around you,” he replied. “And I loved every minute of it. Didn’t you?”

He had me there. It was a lot of fun. And I did love his efforts. He’s a little better these days about finding the right poem. But when we first started wooing each other with romantic poetry he wasn’t all that good at it. But I loved it just the same.

So will your partner. Give it a try!

[tags]romance, romantic poem, poetry, poems[/tags]

Here are a few tips (read that “tricks”) to have that man eating out of your hand:

1. Establishing eye contact with your date will let him know that you are listening. Heck, you might not even be interested in his a thing he is saying — but keep your eyes on him the whole time he is talking. Noting irritates a man more than to have his date’s eyes wandering all over the room while he is talking. You want him to eat out of your hands? Then keep your eyes on him.

2. When it’s your time to talk — do it. You’ll know when would be the right time to talk. Tell him things about your wonderful self. Make your stories long. If it seems that he’s not listening, maybe he is not really interested in you. Most men do not like silent girls. Other men do not like very annoying and loud ones. Most men are picky, and that is just the way they should be. Don’t be afraid of this fact. All you have to do is speak out and he will hear you for sure. Don’t be afraid to be yourself while you’re out on a date with him.

3. Be natural yet not exaggerated. Keeping silent will make you invisible to him. Loud mouthing will surely be annoying for your date.

4. Sometimes, it’s not a bad idea to make the first move. If you feel that your date is too shy, make the first move. It may help him step up then take over from there. Don’t be scared to take risks and turn it into opportunities! Sometimes, most men can’t read signs. They might just be inexperienced or simply stupid. On the other hand, maybe they’re both. Now, I don’t mean to throw yourself at him like a wanton woman. Believe it or not men do not really like that – they like mystery; they like to be the hunter.

But, sometimes you have to help them out a little.

They may simply need the woman to say a few “magic words”. Now if you happen to like a man that obviously likes you but cannot come up with the right words, make the move and try asking him out. It won’t hurt to try doing the first move. After all, who does the first move doesn’t matter in times like these since what matters most is for you to express what you really feel for your date.
[tags]dating tips, romance, dating tips for women[/tags]

Okay – so you’ve had a few really bad dating experiences and you’re now gun-shy. You’ve decided you’ll just crawl into your own hole and give up on the dating scene. Is that you? If you are one of those who avoid going out on a date because of some bad experience in the past, here are some dating tips that may help:

1. Look good on your date.

Taking a shower is probably good enough for a guy – but not for women. Wearing a nice outfit that is comfortable for you and well suited for your date is a good factor in looking and feeling presentable. Use some perfume or cologne to add up to your spice — lightly please! Some men have allergies and hate being around women who have on strong perfume. A little goes a long way.. Most men can’t resist asking women who look good on a first date for a second one.

2. Never be late.

It may be fashionable to arrive at a party 30 minutes late so you can make a grand entrance – but, don’t do it on a date. Sometimes, it’s okay for women to be late due to the rituals involved when it comes to dressing up and wearing makeup. It is fine for men to wait for a bit since this helps men to prepare for the date and loosen up a little. But don’t overdo in this area.

3. Be lady-like and respectable.

Most men really do want to be gentlemen and sometimes we ladies chop them off at the knees. It’s up to you to let the men become gentlemen. Don’t force them to be one. If they want to open the door for you, let them. When the door is open, pass through first. If they pull the chair for you, allow them to do so and thank them for the manly act. Keep in mind to thank your date for every manly effort he does in order to assure him that you are acknowledging him as a gentleman. Now, don’t be gushy. Just be sincere.

4. Offer to pay.

We live in a different era than our parents and grandparents where the man was expected to pay for everything. These days women are as apt to pick up the check as the man. It is a respectable gesture to help out on your dating expenses. But if your date insists to pay for everything, don’t resist.

At the end of your date, let him take you home safely. It is up to you if you intend on giving him a goodnight kiss as a reward for a job well done. Aw, heck! What will it hurt? Go ahead and give him that kiss. You can always go inside and wash your face if it is distasteful to you!

Have Fun!

[tags]dating tips for women,dating tips,romance[/tags]

Your prince charming suddenly came up to you and asks you out. This is a chance of a lifetime, so you said yes.

But how in the world would you know if the date would turn out fine? You certainly wouldn’t know unless it’s over.

You notice that your prince charming is quite nervous on your date. It looks like he had taken gallons of coffee before the date.

It seems that long silence always gets between your conversations. Prince charming then starts to look like he is going to faint. This would turn out to be a bad date unless you try helping him find his words a little.

Maybe he just needs a little push that can provide him with the idea that you want to make this date a memorable one.

Usually, the first date involves going to movies, having lunch, or spending dinner with a lot of sharing. Dates like these just need a little jump-start to be more effective.

Try suggesting some activities that involve fun and adventure.

Let your prince charming know that you are okay with him. Try helping him get to his words or unfold his plans for your date.

Help him by telling the stuff you want to do and the things you want to try. Places you want to go or places you want him to see would be very good things to tell your date if you want to loosen him up a bit and have fun on your date.

Help your date in conquering the limitations that separate him from you. Help him break the ice. After some time, he may be starting to feel okay and loosen up a bit.

Afterwards, he could then start living up to your knight in shining armor dreams.