Did you go to a reunion, wedding, or a party lately, see an old flame, and realize how much you missed the person?  Or did you ever lose touch with someone special after a move or a breakup and now you’re getting back together?  Did something come along and sideline a relationship once and you just never got back to it for whatever reason?

Or, perhaps, you have met someone exciting and new and you want a memorable date as a first date to make the beginning of what you hope will be many more happy ones.

The point is, if you’re smitten, and you want something to do that is unique, here are some great dates to mark the occasion:

What is the Number One Most Romantic Date? That would be: A catered or picnic lunch by a waterfall. How do you go about setting this up?  Get a map and see if your area has a waterfall within an hour’s drive from where you live. (It stops being romantic if you have to drive too far.)  Contact several caterers and ask if they cater lunch by a waterfall.  If no one does, just buy a prepared picnic basket from a deli—or make your own.  Be sure and find out what kinds of food your date likes.  Prepare some of them if you feel like it.  Buy anything else you need.  If you don’t have a waterfall, scout for a reasonably fun place for a picnic.  I vote for the sound of water.  Maybe you’re in a boat or sitting outside the courthouse with a water feature, or sitting on a park bench in the rain, under a big umbrella, sipping a cup of hot soup, hot coffee, and a homemade cookie!

Number Two Romantic Date– Boat Rides:

Whether you are riding the Staten Island Ferry at night, admiring the Manhattan skyline, or paddling on a small pond in a rowboat, something about boat rides stirs a person’s thoughts.  If you ask good questions, you might get a flow of conversation going.  Boat rides can be quiet, provoking memories or a rush of emotions to share with someone.  Again, you have the mesmerizing water that leads to a serene adventure.  Take a bag lunch and a bottle of wine if you plan to spend enough time on the water.  Warning: be careful if you are planning a cruise.  Some of us get seasick.  My husband gave me an anniversary cruise once, and five miles out of Miami, I was so green, I wanted to jump off the ship and swim back to shore.

Number Three Romantic Date– Singin’ In The Rain:

Did you ever see that movie?  Just makes me want to break out my old tap shoes and dance on the sidewalks and the streets.  You could do that of course— or, you could share a big umbrella, walk the streets together, sing songs you know, and look for a coffee shop where you can enjoy a cup of brew and dry off.  This date depends on how creative and spontaneous your partner is.

Number Four Romantic Date– Take a Class Together:

How creative can you get?  There are all types of yoga classes offered in different cities—all are recommended for health and longevity.  Classes in Spanish, Italian, French, or German speak loudly to the idea of taking a trip together once you get through the class and want to go somewhere to practice what you’ve learned.  Trips, restaurants that cook the food of the country you are studying, and concerts with their cultural music will make the dates even more fun while you expand your cultural bandwidth.

Number Five Romantic Date– Volunteer Together:

When the economy is tight, these are the days when every minute and dollar is short.  Yet, no matter how hard times get, someone else has it harder.  This is where you and your date – or steady – can find time to contribute to others and find out more about each other.  This is where you can see what kind of person you’re dating.  And if your date has not been a volunteer before, this is a huge bonus in learning to serve others.  Even if your relationship doesn’t last, your influence of helping those in need will.  If you don’t know where to begin, here are some ideas:

• Local animal shelters need assistance walking the dogs, among other tasks
• Programs for children such as Head Start or after school care need people to read to children.
• Nursing homes appreciate volunteers who will visit and talk to the people in their care.

If you have other skills that people would appreciate, such as drawing, singing, or playing a musical instrument, be generous— share what you can do. These dates are great ways to build memories and discover unknown qualities about each other.