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Contrary to popular belief, all people are hopeless romantics... But how important are anniversaries? The Anniversary pinpoints a new ‘level’ to the relationship. The words ‘I love you’ come a lot easier for couples by this point than they might have done a few months before. In addition to this, as well as celebrating the first year your relationship has lasted, an anniversary is a chance to ‘re-ignite the passion’.
My close friend asked me whether I missed the ‘single life’ after having my anniversary, especially since it was in the second week of the year. The truth is that having our first anniversary reminded me of that second week of term when we got together, and I wasn’t frightened by the concept that now a whole year had passed without so much as blinking. The initial chase and catch is exciting in a relationship but it’s nothing like really knowing the person. Once you have that connection, it’s something you never want to let go.
That’s up to the couple really. A nice romantic dinner for two is always a seller – some quiet music, good wine, good food... Alternatively, a movie in the evening to just spend time together is also a nice plan. Perhaps you could even relive the night you became a couple. Of course, this in itself would be difficult for some people. In my case it would involve Alcuin J Block, Flat 2’s aptly named “Danger Punch” and Series One to Four of Red Dwarf and a trip to see the new James Bond movie... Perhaps not everyone’s ideal anniversary.
One of my friends renamed ‘Anniversary’ to ‘Sexiversary’, which relates to the ‘re-igniting the passion’ of the relationship and reminds me that while anniversaries have to do with the emotional connection between two people, the physical connection is just as important. Sex is usually underplayed in a relationship, and overplayed when having sex out of the relationship restraints. However you spin it, sex has developed intimacy and closeness when you have been with someone for a year.
The next burning question is what to buy each other. It is a question that seems to loom over all couples for birthdays and Christmas and Valentines Day. The advantages you have is that you should know your partner inside out by now but even so; it is sometimes hard to come up with something to buy each other. Girls, being girls, are generally quite easy to buy for. Guys are a little more difficult but by no means impossible.
For girls, this is simple. Jewellery is usually the way to go. I mean there aren’t many girls who can resist something that sparkles and shines. We also tend to wear jewellery from our boyfriends, not just because it looks pretty but because every time you look in the mirror and see that new pair of earrings or new silver necklace, it reminds you of the one you love. It might be clichéd but its undoubtedly true, even if we don’t say it. Also guys, if you aren’t talented picking jewellery don’t be afraid to ask your girlfriend if she wants to help you pick something out. I’m sure whatever you pick she will love but you might feel more comfortable if she has helped you pick it and obviously loves it. Pick something with hearts on it because however small the gesture, we are certain to notice it. The same goes for girls, it doesn’t always have to be a surprise if you can’t think of anything, ask him.
If you want to do something a little more special then this is for you. A nice way to do this is to pick something that will remind your other half of your first date or your first kiss or even just the first time you met. A close friend of mine was telling me that he produced a scrapbook for his girlfriend on their anniversary full of pictures and snippets of their first year together. Though I wouldn’t consider myself a hopeless romantic, I thought this was very original and would be special to the person who received it. It doesn’t take a lot of money but it takes a lot of time and thought to put it together.
The main thing to remember is that this day isn’t about the presents or where you go to eat but that you are celebrating being together.
In the words of Stephen Covey “The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are.”
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