Under The Blue Moon was created by a small group of talented people who work, play, wonder and have scratched their heads more than a few times when it comes to the mysteries of love and romance.

We navigate our way through life just like you do. And that's why we decided to create a romance resource that was compatible with the kind of life you lead; busy, challenging, and, to be sure, often unromantic.

That's also why we won't tell you what to do. We'll leave that to the people with the Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy. We will, however present the multi-faceted perspectives of romance, and give you ideas on how to keep the relationship fresh and exciting.

How to be "Romantic"

What "being romantic" means, varies widely from person to person, but at it's core, romance involves doing something to express affection in a meaningful, yet unexpected way.  A true act of romance requires creativity and sincerity, often inspired by love (either its presence or its possibility).  While harboring affection for someone might be easy, translating it into romance usually is not.  There are millions of romantic ideas in books, movies and on the Internet, but true romance comes from within.  Here's how to get in touch with your "Inner Romantic:"

1)  Break The Monotony.  Many people associate the beginning of a relationship with romance, excitement and inspiration because everything is new.  You and this person have just met and the relationship is just unfolding...what will happen tomorrow?  Next week?  Next month?  Will they call?  How do they kiss?  But after the relationship is established, we settle into a routine, and nothing is new anymore.  To be romantic, reintroduce the excitement that characterized the beginning of the relationship, do something different, something that your partner wouldn't expect.  The more out of the ordinary, the better!

2)  Court Them.  Pretend that you and your partner just met, and you want them to fall for you.  What would you do to impress them and show them that you're interested?  Treat your partner as if you are both single, and you want to earn their affection and trust in order to win them over, all over again.  The opposite of being romanced is being taken for granted.  No one wants to feel like they've already been "caught" so it's over and done with.  Put on a show!  Stay on your toes!  The most romantic ideas come to people when they fear they might lose the one they love.  But you don't have to actually be on the verge of losing someone in order to tap into that mindset!

3)  Make It Personal.  Romance is not a "one size fits all."  The steroptypical icons of romance (roses, candles and chocolate) can only go so far.  Think about what really gets that special someone excited!  Recognize what makes your partner unique, and find/do things for them that only they would appreciate.  What are their quirky interests, obsessions and fantasies?  Whenever they're shopping, talking or watching a movie, what makes their eyes light up?  Pay attention!  Being romantic means acknowledging how special a person is.  That means demonstrating that you know better than anyone else in the world, what makes them unique.

4)  Focus On The Little Stuff.  Romance can be practiced everyday, and it doesn't have to be expensive or grand.  In fact, sometimes the most romantic moments are simple, spontaneous and free.  There are millions of ways to say "I love you" and "I'm lucky to have you."  Think of the world as your medium.  You can write it, say it, sculpt it, look it, hide it, shout it, paint it, kiss it, fold it...you get the idea.  It's unlimited!  Make it a habit to find a new way to be romantic everyday.  Be creative and have fun with it.

5)  Be Sincere.  To make someone feel appreciated, you have to really, truly be thankful for their presence in your life.  Maintaining that sense of gratitude takes conscious effort.  It's easy to forget how amazing someone is when you see them everyday, but if you constantly remind yourself how lucky you are to share your life with that person, every day will be the most romantic day of your life.

Warning:  Being romantic doesn't mean being obsessive.  There's a difference between expressing appreciation and expecting a person to devote all of their time to you in return.  You are both individuals, not just half of a relationship, so don't be consumed by your efforts to romance someone else.  You can be romantic and be yourself at the same time. 

Do not allow outward romance to drown out inward warnings!  If a guy or a girl seems too good to be true, go slowly and find out what he or she is really all about.  They may be alright, but only time will tell.