Romantic Valentine’s Day Idea
The most romantic Valentine’s Day I ever pulled off didn’t involve an expensive restaurant, an exotic trip, or precious jewels. It was the simplest of romantic ideas – a home cooked meal.
I know, I know – some Dad’s House readers are saying right now – say, what?! Valentine’s is all about the bling! Fancy this, schmancy that. What are you doing cooking dinner from scratch?
I’m here to tell you, romantic ideas are a dime a dozen. But a great Valentine’s Day comes when you put your heart into making it special.
My first post-divorce girlfriend and I had a deep connection – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. The sex was great. We were firmly on the road to marriage (well, as firmly as you can be, and not actually end up getting married. But, whatever. Let’s not quibble on details. This is a romantic story.)
Previous romantic Valentine’s Days with other women involved securing reservations at the choicest restaurant in town.
As a single dad with half-time custody of two kids, a full-time mortgage, and at the time, a career in transition, I wasn’t exactly up for Michelin cuisine. I told my girlfriend I would cook her the most romantic dinner I could muster.
To say she was disappointed in this idea of romance was an understatement.
But when she came over that night, and saw how I’d transformed my oval-shaped kitchen table into a tiny romantic circle, with a table cloth, candles, place settings, wine and champagne glasses, everything strewn with rose petals, and a floral bouquet arrangement in the center of the table – her eyes filled with tears.
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
I’d prepared a multi-course meal.
Prosciutto and cantaloupe appetizer
Caesar salad
Exotic olives and rare cheeses
Linguine with clams (an aphrodisiac)
Spinach with garlic (we’d been dating a while. I wasn’t concerned with garlic breath.)
Grilled salmon
A decadent chocolate cake for two from the local Swiss bakery (the one thing I didn’t cook)
Piper-Sonoma Champagne
A nice bottle of Pinot Noir
“This is the most romantic idea ever,” she said. “Just knowing you prepared all this with me in mind makes me melt.”
Her clothes were off before we left the table. Some of mine were, too. Suffice to say, Cupid had a field day, like shooting fish in a barrel. The sex that Valetine’s night was some of the most amazing we ever shared. All from a romantic Valentine’s Day home-cooked meal.
Anyone need a recipe?
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Comment by rakesh
| February 10th, 2009
I completely agree with you.
Its true.
How romantic your idea is not because of how expensive it is. But how crazy and how loving it is. My partner gives importance to the crazyness the love and care i feel for her rather than buying expensive gifts for her.
rakesh´s last blog post..Love and Friendship Videos of Youtube
Comment by Wendy
| February 10th, 2009
Love the thought behind the offering. That is what stands out for me. So much better than buying something at any amount. It was the investment of time as well as thought.
My fave as the giver was the homemade fortune cookies along with a printed, framed poem I wrote. Cost was minimal. Gesture was priceless.
Wendy´s last blog post..Loose Ends Everywhere
Comment by Me Thinks
| February 10th, 2009
So you are saying I should return the book on math theories (my man’s a geek, LOVE it), the naughty schoolgirl outfit, sex position book and massage oil? Damn, I thought I had something good going there. :)
Comment by T
| February 10th, 2009
I’m a sappy romantic and love poetry and song lyrics. I always said that one of the most romantic things a man could do for me would be to write me a poem or a song.
My ex never did.
But he could cook like no one I’ve ever met before.
Even to this day, he will whip up my favorite meal of grilled lobster with lime-basil butter sauce and a side of angel hair pasta.
Lobster or crab… both are aphrodisiacs to me!
I remember him creating some seafood perfection once for me and as I took my seat at the table, I looked up at him with tears in my eyes.
“This… is your poetry.” I realized.
He beamed.
Sometimes we just speak different love languages…
Sounds completely and perfectly romantic to me Dads!
T´s last blog post..Loving logically
Comment by katherine.
| February 10th, 2009
with Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday, and living in a small tourist town our restaurants will be packed. They have Valentine’s Day themes and special dinners that are kinda hokey. The thought alone makes me cringe.
Your idea took a great deal more effort than picking up the phone and making reservations. It is the effort that means the most to me.
katherine.´s last blog post..photo hunting ~ bridge
Comment by Robin
| February 10th, 2009
Heck, if a guy gives me chocolates, it only shows how little he’s paid attention to the details that make up ME. :) (Being the only chocolate I like is the dark stuff from Europe type chocolate.)
I entirely agree that the relationship and the caring and giving of ones heart, is what’s special. You put yourself into that gift. And, as for homecooked St. Valentine’s meals?
Theee best one I’ve ever gotten was a surprise one by my then 8 or 9 ? year old daughter. It included macaroni and cheese, and baked potatos, and homemade applesauce, and some other things she knew how to bake just didn’t know how to time them all yet, AND, a handmade menu. Priceless:) Besides, not all of ones Valentine’s are romantic, sometimes, it’s family.
Robin´s last blog post..Within 6 words.
Comment by MindyMom
| February 10th, 2009
That sounds like a perfect V-Day treat! I LOVE it when a guy cooks for me (for a change) but also the thought that you put into that production would have impressed me even if the meal didn’t.
MindyMom´s last blog post..Making Mountains out of Molehills
Comment by mama llama
| February 10th, 2009
For a man I loved once I made him a picnic dinner to eat on his floor. It was too cold outside, so I improvised. It was by far, in his opinion, the most romantic dinner he had ever had. Nothing about the food; it was all about the togetherness and the creation of something extraordinary out of the ordinary.
So yes, I agree with you.
Be well, Dads.
mama llama´s last blog post..the flame
Comment by Exception
| February 10th, 2009
I completely agree with her. This would have made me melt!! Romance is subjective I suppose but for me it is honestly the thought and the thought and oh yeah, the thought that counts!! The fact that you knew her and were willing to invest the time and the energy to do all that for her and with her in mind… that is romance!!
Exception´s last blog post..A New Cougar in Town?
Comment by Honey
| February 10th, 2009
I don’t know…I think cooking at home on these types of special occasions is just as cliche’d as going out to eat is – I think like one of the other posters suggested, it depends on the person and what they will appreciate. We are going to a dinner at a fancy restaurant because we have really cut back on our eating out because of the economy and also we would rather spend the food preparation time together, talking and drinking wine, then getting our hands all onion-y. But if the other person is really into being pampered and you are a good chef then it could work.
My only point is that eating a homemade meal in is in no way INHERENTLY more romantic than eating out is.
Comment by dadshouse
| February 10th, 2009
Honey, I agree that a night out can be fabulous and romantic! And I love that it avoids smelly onion fingers.
One good thing about a dinner in – clothes can be removed during the meal. That’s hot!
And since I am solo this Valentine’s day, I only have memories to fill my V-day… unless something crazy happens between now and then. You never know.
Comment by PhenomenalMama
| February 10th, 2009
Speaking from my own personal experience, I’d have to say that, for me, the effort means more than the actual result. Sure, staying in for a “home-cooked meal” sounds kinda cliche, but geez – it’s ALL been done before.
Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be about “bling”! It should be about small and simple gestures to let the one you love know that you’re important to them. A home-cooked meal sounds heavenly to me at this moment.
PhenomenalMama´s last blog post..Too Many Hurts
Comment by justrun
| February 10th, 2009
Yeah, I’ve heard olives can do that.
justrun´s last blog post..Greatness
Comment by Laura
| February 10th, 2009
How beautiful! That, for me, would have been a perfect night!
Well played DH!
Laura´s last blog post..Irresponsible mothers
Comment by Lori
| February 11th, 2009
It sounds fabulous. Those are my favorite kinds of dates.
Comment by Honey
| February 11th, 2009
I think that for it to be romantic you might try cooking something you hadn’t made before, together, so you can share the experience and laugh if it doesn’t turn out well. The BF adapted this jamaican jerk chicken recipe that he liked (we are veggie) and then was like, “this recipe was my big third-date move back in the day.”
NOT ROMANTIC!!!!
Honey´s last blog post..Our Financial Philosophy: Or, Grocery Store, Part Deux
Comment by Lisa Maria Carroll
| February 11th, 2009
This is by far the most incredible single dad blog I’ve ever read. (They’re few and far between). Your Valentine’s Day story proves that your effort can earn you as many, if not more, points than spending a lot of money.
Comment by krn
| February 11th, 2009
Awwww. What a great story, Dad’s. Sounds very romantic.
My most memorable Valentine’s date was also a picnic on the floor, made for me by a very sexy, sweet man who was helping me get over an “ex.” It worked! :)