Sound Why mess with a good thing? That CD I gave him last year, with songs both us can listen to and enjoy, mixed with songs that have come to mean something for the two of us over the past year. They don’t need to be sappy, although “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt certainly is. I’m also thinking about Christina Aguilera’s new single “Candyman,” and Fiona Apple’s “Extraordinary Machine,” and more like that.
Also, conversation. If there’s a topic you always talk about when you’re together, try something different. Promise not to mention work, or your shopping plans, or quote the same few movies you always quote to each other. Then again, the important thing is that you’re talking to each other, so just enjoy that.
Smell There’s going to be an overlap between smell and taste, but I still like to think of them as two distinct parts of the whole. The smell of garlic bread cooking is anticipatory, and maybe you want to think ahead to dessert, too. Cinnamon rolls, or crumb cake. Snickerdoodles…
Sorry, I got distracted. Where was I?
Taste You’ve got your delicious smells wafting from the kitchen, now for something yummy to eat. I’m not a gourmet chef by any stretch of the imagination, but that aforementioned loaf of garlic bread (sold frozen in most supermarkets), fresh ravioli (I like Buitoni), and a jar of spaghetti sauce (I love vodka sauce myself), heated up and sprinkled with some herbs and spices to taste, combine in an easy meal that doesn’t require the coordination of a drum major to prepare. And both items can be ready to serve at the same time.
But that’s just me! Find a meal you love and make it together. Or call for delivery from your favorite Chinese restaurant or Mexican place. In any case, enjoy a meal with each other.
Touch Easy enough, right? If the dinner goes well, there’s going to be more than just touching afterwards. (See, still naughty!) But pay some attention during the dinner as well. Instead of sitting across from each other, arrange your plates at a corner of your table, and have fun knocking elbows as you twirl pasta. Or engage in a little footsie under the table. Afterwards, clean up in the kitchen together—if you cooked, let him wash, and feel free to get a little distracting as you grab plates out of his hands to dry them.
It feels good to write.
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