I enjoyed this article. Romance comes in a lot of different shapes and forms. It doesn’t have to be a pre-planned event. It can be simply things that you do for each other.

She starts off with the article talking about a romantic experience between two older couples she witnessed and then goes on to sight many more examples like this that are so simple..

What is romance?
Romance is a fancy steak dinner for two in a room lit purely by candles. It’s flowers on a random day and falling asleep in your lover’s T-shirt that smells like his cologne. It’s a date to a famous children’s bookstore and a shared slice of cherry pie—a stroll through a crowded museum that doesn’t feel crowded at all. It’s making toast for someone in the morning and drawing a heart in the butter, then watching it soak into the bread like it was never there at all, but you know it was.

Read More: What is Romance?

Christine sights many, many more examples from having your toothbrushes next to each other to simply showing up when you say you will.. Many things you wouldn’t normally think of as romantic, but in their little ways are. Just being aware and being there for the other person in so many simple ways.

The most common romantic moments are simple and unplanned.

-Joe Taylor

What do you need out of a relationship? That’s my number one question for you.. because the fact he doesn’t provide you gifts doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t love you. Some guys just have no clue or are self-absorbed. Some are just the way they are even if they are madly in love.

Maybe that’s what he saw his Father do for his Mother.. nothing. And that’s normal for him. Many of our habits we learn young.

But, yes, you do have to consider if this person is really committed to your relationship and if he really, truly is madly in love. Because you shouldn’t settle for anything else! There are lots and lots of guys out there. There is no reason to settle or to get comfortable just so you have one.

My wife had a friend who has been with a guy for 3-4 years. He’s terrible at gift giving! And it’s not even that he doesn’t know he needs to give a gift at least on birthdays, anniversaries and other holidays, but he finds lazy things to do or things that require him to do nothing extra.

He was even fixing her bathroom and said this would be her gift. He’s completely skipped giving her anything on some holidays; even a card.

But she stays with him.. from what I see, she’s in love with him. But does that mean he’s in love with her? They don’t live together.. he does things to upset her all the time. Doesn’t include her in things..

But she stays with him..

Ultimately THAT is a personal choice. And obviously something is keeping her with him; maybe he’s good in bed. Maybe she doesn’t think she can do better. Maybe something is better than being alone for her.

Gift giving is important in my opinion. Even for non-occasions. A guy surprising their gal with gifts.. just to show he cares. That’s classy. That’s someone that loves someone deeply.

And that’s what it boils down to. If this person isn’t providing you gifts and doesn’t focus on YOU.. is self-absorbed, not with the program or relationship.. maybe you’re wasting your time?

Maybe it’s time to talk about this issue. If talking about it doesn’t help, then it’s time to pull out the marriage and/or do you wanna have kids card? Or say, as I’ve heard my wife say about her friends boyfriends.. sh*t or get off the pot.

-Joe Taylor