Due to our ever-growing readership, we’ve decided to bring back a few oldies but goodies from our vault of advice. We’ve decided to dust this one off because around this time last year, we had our first meeting about this very site. So, Happy Anniversary! Here’s our take on the perfect way to approach an anniversary date:
As Thanksgiving approaches, one DateSpacer certainly has something to be thankful for: one solid year of love and happiness (cue: Al Green) with his special someone. Steve, writing us from the beautiful city of White Plains, New York, asks, “My girlfriend and I are approaching our one-year anniversary. We want to do something really special. What kind of date would be appropriate?”
Before we offer our insight, allow us first to offer our congratulations. Let’s face it, sticking with virtually anything for a full year is no small feat. (Raise your hand out there if you’ve ever followed a diet for even a full month. Yeah, we thought so). Steve, we commend your commitment and, well, we love that you’re in love. That’s what we’re here for, right?
Now let’s get down to business. Where to go? What to do? Here are two of schools of thought on the matter:
1. The Sentimental Journey — Looking Back
Sometimes a little time travel is just the thing to renew your love and to see how far you’ve come. Where was your first date? Or where was it you proposed? Renew old memories and revisit all the old familiar places (that small café, the park across the way, the carousel, the wishing well, etc. - much respect if you get this reference). Maybe even try surprising your loved one by taking him or her back to the site of your worst date - chances are you’ll have a vastly better experience than you did the first time, and, most importantly, you’ll have something to laugh about. We guarantee that above all, you will be reminded that what really matters is that you have each other (cue: generic sitcom-audience “Awwwww…” track.)
2. The Excursion — Looking Forward
If you’ve been together for a year or more now, odds are you and your significant other are hooked on each other. You’ve been through the awkwardness and the anxiety, so maybe it’s time to take some risks. Why not step out of your comfort zone and try a new restaurant? Or, perhaps even better, try a new activity together: go hiking somewhere you’ve never been, attend a dancing class - something you’ve always thought might be fun but haven’t yet had the courage or time to try. You and your partner have a lot of living to do - take a ceremonious step forward with some excitement for the adventures that lie ahead.
The truth is, on some level it’s probably pretty hard to go wrong on this one. We have faith in you, Steve. The fact that you’re putting some thought into what to do for your anniversary in the first place should give you some piece of mind.
After all, at least you didn’t forget it.
Find some solid suggestions for Anniversary dates here, and gifts here and here.
So, fellow DateSpacers: what did you do for your first anniversary date? How’d it go?
