Even though temps have pretty much stayed in the 70s and 80s these last few weeks, the air smells of fall, and the chilly Colorado nights are tolling the end of the warmer months. Gone are the long days by the pool, the romantic post-prandial walks, lazy patio evenings. I love summer most of all.
So, in an effort to allay the grief of the passing of the warm and woozy months, here is a guide to the best romantic activities of autumn, obvious bedroom diversions (rainy weekend afternoons, fireside evenings, hot tubs and, dare I mention it, snow days) aside.
Would you hand me the style section?
Split the Sunday newspaper between you, recycle the classifieds, and find a quiet, warm coffee shop or teahouse where you can park for several hours. Order the biggest drinks on the menu, and sip them slowly. Read your favorite pieces of text aloud, and don’t forget to slip off your shoes and put your socked feet in each other’s laps. Make sure you look up from the newspaper every once in a while, and get caught staring, wondering how you managed to find someone who could enjoy moments like this as much as you do.
Movie hopping
Find yourself a multiplex, and plan out a day of flicks. If you feel a bit felonious, make sure the timing works so you can slip out at the end of one movie and sneak into the next one in time for the trailers. Leave some space for bathroom breaks, and don’t skip the popcorn. And it’s okay to go ahead and just pay for the next set of tickets. Make sure you hold hands as much as possible, and vary your genres enough to make sure there’s something for each of you.
Try not to bust your coccyx
I’m a horrible, horrible skater. When I move around the rink, I look less graceful than a baby taking its first staggering, off-balance steps—top-heavy, hands flailing, legs stiff. But chicks dig the skating, and if you can stay vertical long enough to hold mittened hands around the circuit a few times, she’ll love you for it. Follow up with hot chocolate, of course.
Leaf leaping
Seriously. If you don’t have a yard full of gold and orange leaves to pile high and leap into, find some in a nearby park or something. Sure, you might find some foliage in your unmentionables by the time it’s all over, but that’s just another excuse to get undressed.
Outdoor sporting events
Bundle up, but don’t forget a blanket big enough to wrap up in together. Huddle close, press your cheeks together, and bring along lots of tissues. If you can manage some warm alcoholic beverages, all the better. Warm up afterwards in a hot bath, candles and all.
Snow and silence
Put on your boots and heavy coats, woolen hats and warm gloves, and take a late night walk in the quiet of the falling snow. Find pleasure in being able to see your breath, make snow angels, talk about the way your dad used to get your American Flyer going fast, then ride down with you.
Speaking of sledding
You’re never too old to take that jump at the bottom of the hill. And when you biff it—the sled going to the left, you to the right—and you land on your ass in the powder, your date will think you’re funny and brave.
An afternoon at the bookstore
Share your loves—find your favorite books and read passages to each other. Curl up together on couches and read from random tomes you found on the end caps. Wander from section to section, with plenty of “Oh! Have you ever read this?” Make sure you both secretly buy a book for each other, and share happily as you leave the store.
Cook together
Plan the meal, and spend an hour or two at the really nice grocery store (or the farmer’s market). Then spend the next several hours drinking wine, listening to music, and preparing your meal. Feed each other preview samples, do your best not to criticize each other’s slicing techniques, and then totally let the food get cold because you’re too busy making out to be bothered with eating.
Okay, I could actually look forward to doing these things. Next step: um…someone want to meet me at Starbucks this weekend? I’ll bring the Sunday Post.
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