We talked about getting away for the day and calling ahead and all that. So now I’d like to talk a little about the food, in case you’re bringing your own.

A friend of mine once told me the story of her 15th anniversary, and it moved me. Romanticism can certainly be alive in marriages for 15, 20, even 50 years.

On the day of their wedding – 15 years later – Michelle and Barry set out for what was to be a fun, relaxing day picnicking at the base of a mountain a few miles outside of their town. Barry just couldn’t have gotten things more right that day.

When they finally got to their spot and started laying out the food, Barry explained to Michelle why he packed the foods he packed.

“As an appetizer, I wanted to have something that reminded me of your beautiful blue eyes, so I brought some fresh blueberries,” Barry said.

This continued with some other foods and the lovely wine that Barry brought in the picnic basket, but you get the drift. A man in love with his wife can sometimes see his wife’s beauty in everything – even food or the essence of food. Pick foods that you know your wife will love, and while it’s not necessary to compare her to the food you bring – honestly, how far could a person really take that? – find a spirit of whimsy in your day and what you’re eating.

Make it fun. Even a little “corn”y if possible!

First the place:

1. Where did you meet?
2. Where do you like to go together?
3. Where is a somewhat-nearby place that you’ve been talking about always visiting.

Once you figure that out, all you have to do is plan it out. Or don’t plan it out! Surprise your loved one with a packed picnic baskets in the back seat of the car on the way there.
Note: if you’re going to surprise him (or her), make sure that he/she LIKES surprises. And if you’re asked what you’re going to do on your anniversary, just call it a surprise.

Again, ONLY if your sweetie likes them.

So once you’ve figured that part out, plan out your day a little. One really fun thing to do is to call ahead – or visit the place a day or two ahead – and let the people with whom you come in contact know it’s your anniversary. Tip them something and see if you or they can come up with something fun and romantic to say or do for you on your little excursion. Imagine how neat it would be if three or four “strangers” congratulated your wife on your anniversary!

Have some food ready to be picked up if you’re not packing the basket. Put the food in the basket or cooler, find some grass somewhere, and sit down with a bottle of wine from the wine basket with your wife and relax the day away.