The Art of Romance: Keeping the Spark Alive

How to impress a girl

Ah, my boys. You've got this all wrong. You think it's about grand gestures. It's not. It's about eating ice cream on a bench. It's not about the world, it's about sitting in the park with her while the world delivers itself to your feet.

Just send her a sweet message in the middle of the day that will make her smile. She needs to know that although you have a lot going on, she is still on your mind. A "thinking of you," text will do.

When you come home after a long day, sit with her, ask how her day was and mean it! I don’t mean nod like a coconut tree in the wind- really listen to what she is saying. Her words matter. It’s the way you fix yourself a drink and bring her one without her asking. The little things, my dear, the little things.

You see those wild flowers on the side of the road? Yea, pull over.. pick some.. give them to her. Not every gift needs a bow.

And who needs that fancy thing called ‘party’? Just sit with her on that old ‘sofa’, in your shabby old ‘clothes’ and watch that favorite thing on the idiot box which makes her laugh, or moan. That’s all.

Surprise her one evening. Take her to her favorite place for dinner, unannounced. It doesn’t have to be an occasion. Just because you thought of her.

And here’s something straight from the heart—dance with her. Yes, dance! If the rains are falling outside, step into it, hold her close and sway to a song. It doesn’t have to be George Strait, even our old Konkani music will do just fine.

Call her in the middle of the day and ask how she’s doing. Take genuine interest in her well-being, in her thoughts, in her worries.

Once in a while, lay out her favorite dress on the bed with a note: “Wear this tonight, and be ready by 7.” It’s the thoughtfulness that will make her heart skip a beat, not the price tag.

Know the little things, my dear boys. How she likes her tea — maybe with extra sugar like a good Goan cup of chai, or the smells she loves, or the movies that make her tear up. It’s these small details that show you’re paying attention.

And on a Saturday afternoon, take her for a simple treat. Go to the neighborhood ice cream parlor, sit across from her, split a sundae or two and talk about your dreams, your plans, your future together.

Uncle Lovey comes over to me and says, “It’s not what you spend, my boy. It’s the element of surprise. The most precious gift in the universe is romance.”