I hope you enjoyed Valentine’s Day!
We enjoyed a beautiful and romantic day here in Chicago. We spent the morning in Chinatown, attending the Chinese New Year parade. Yesterday was the first day of the Year of the Tiger, and Chinatown was densely packed with onlookers. You can see some photos from the day here on my Twitpic page.
After lunch in Chinatown and a relaxed and romantic afternoon, my husband and I had an absolutely amazing prix fixe Valentine’s Day dinner at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. Over ahi tuna and guava martinis, we reminisced about Valentine’s Days past. We mused about how much our lives have changed, and what has remained constant for us.
Valentine’s Day is about love, and it’s also about celebrating the things that keep love alive. It’s about those tingly feelings in your stomach, the person who makes you feel them, and keeping that tingle going strong, year in and year out.
I promised back in December that I’d do a blog post about some those things for Valentine’s Day. So here I am, making good on that.
If you prefer your blog reading to be strictly rated G and preferably about hair, click here to read my latest post on BVHairTalk.com.
But if you’re looking to spice up your life with an Eden’s Fantasy gift card and you’re an adult, feel free to click the more tag to wander with me into PG-13 territory.
On that earlier post, one commenter asked a question that has lingered with me.
“great ideas. Now if only you could give some hints on how one should talk one’s partner into trying this stuff. I’ve been married for 5 years now and we’re in a definite rut, though I’m the only one that thinks there is one.”
I gave an initial response in the comments, but upon further reflection I know SO many women who feel like that, and who never have the courage to speak up about it.
I think many of us are raised to be demure about our own desires. And I also think that communication is essential in every relationship. Part of that is being honest about your needs in every area of your relationship. The most important thing is to know what you want, and to know what excites you. It differs for everyone. But knowing what you want and what you enjoy is the first step to improving your relationship and getting out of the romantic doldrums.
One way to articulate what you may want, is to buy your significant other a birthday or anniversary gift that could make your evening more interesting. Let’s say a costume. Or a “honeymoon kit.”. Or a lover’s paint box. Exchange this gift item in a private moment, and maybe include a card. Or a coupon that they can cash in on at a later date. Romantic ruts are inevitable in long term relationships, but there are ways to get out of them. It just takes a little courage, and a little creativity!
Eden Fantasys offer a range of adult-themed items for sale — items that range from the romantically innocuous to the can-you-explain-what-this-is-for? And to spread the love, they’re offering a giveaway of THREE $25 gift cards to lucky Afrobella readers — single, married, or “it’s complicated,” — in the US or Canada. The idea is for you to expand your own sensual horizons, however you wish.
All you have to do is tell me about your most romantic Valentine’s Day in the comments below!
I’ll close these comments by the end of the week, and a winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!
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