There has been much said about romance at one time or another. Probably more books have been written about this subject than any other throughout the history of the world. However, there is much confusion about what exactly romance is, and how a couple can be romantic.

Throughout the world, people say that the Latinos are romantic people, probably the most romantic of all. But, to be honest with you, Latinos aren't romantic. In fact, most Latinos can't even tell you what the word romantic means.

First of all, romance isn't sexual intimacy. Sex can be romantic, but that doesn't make romance sex. Romance can include sex, and really, when a couple is romantic it becomes a preparation for sexual intimacy.

By definition, romance is a demonstration to the other person that they are important to you. Whatever acts that we do, which make that person feel important can be considered romantic. It doesn't matter if they are large things, or small, just as long as the other person feels that they are special in some way.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

1 Peter 3:7

Giving honor is the same thing as treating the person as if they are special, precious, or valuable. If an important person walks into the room, it is customary to stop talking, stand up, and pay attention to that person. That's called giving honor to them. When your spouse walks into the room, they are more important in your life than the president of the United States. You need to treat them as such.

Peter uses the term "weaker vessel" in this verse. Notice that he doesn't say that the wife is a weaker vessel, only that she should be honored as if she is a weaker vessel.

How do we treat weak, precious, valuable vessels? With much care. That's how a man needs to treat his wife. He must constantly act towards her as if she is that weak, precious, valuable vessel that's been entrusted to his care.

Romance is part of meeting the emotional needs of women for affection. However, this doesn't mean that only men need to be romantic. Just as men need to be romantic towards their wives, women need to be romantic towards their husbands. Both parties need the demonstration that they are important to the other one.

Some ideas for romantic things that a couple can do:

• Buy several balloons, either regular, or helium filled. Prepare a bunch of hearts or lips made from red or pink paper; maybe even chocolate kisses… Place them carefully within the balloons. When you give them to your spouse, get him or her to pot them, saying "it's very urgent that you see what's inside. Variation: you can put gifts inside the balloons, such as a ring wrapped in elegant paper, a ticket to a special event, money to buy lingere…

• Fill a basket with small clean rocks. Write a short message on each stone to your spouse. With your spouse, take these love stones along, and put them in different places near you home. Just like the Israelites built memorials to their covenant with God, you can use these as a memorial of your love for each other. Place them at the corner, a favorite tree tree, in the pond, on a roof...

• Buy a bag of chocolate kisses. While your spouse is busy in the house. Run out the door. Mark a trail by leaving the candy on the ground around a corner or by some bushes. Leave a note underneath one that says: Want more kisses? Come and find me." Ring the doorbell, and run to your hiding place. When your spouse finds you, shower them with passionate kisses of your own.

• Buy two small squirt guns, fill them with water. Play like children and squirt each other. Have fun.

• Prepare a special lunch of your spouse's favorite foods. Don't forget to add photo of yourself, to be the desert. Call your spouse at their work, to remind him or her to not forget to eat, and ask him or her to come home a little early if they can. Be ready for a special time of intimacy when they come home.

• Have a photo taken of you and your spouse in a special pose; a passionate kiss. You can do it in a photo booth at the mall, or for something more special, go to a professional photographer. It's best to practice your pose beforehand at home. Don't be ashamed of your love for each other.

• Write out a renewal of your wedding vows to each other. Retake these in your own bedroom or at a special church service. Prepare and frame a copy of the words you said. Hang this in your bedroom (this is a Jewish custom, which has been done for thousands of years).

• Visit the local fire station. Ask one of the men to take special picture of you and your spouse that only they can capture. Tell them you want to have a great memory of how passionate your love is, that nothing can put out. Get them to take a photo of you in front of a shiny red fire truck, with all the equipment. Maybe even have one of them stand by with a fire extinguisher. It would be a great idea to give them a small spiritual gift for their help.

• Write a love letter, or poem to your spouse, on elegant paper. Most office supply stores sell fancy papers for computers (if you don't like what they have, adapt it, or make up your own). Send it to your spouse through the mail.

• Record yourself reading various love poems to your spouse. Be sure to add your name various times to make it more personal. Even better is to use the most romantic love book of all, the Song of Solomon. Adapt the original language to your personal manner of expression.

• Find a small nice box - jewelry size. Using Song of Solomon as a guide, write at least five sentences on strips of paper describing your spouse's body parts and how you feel when you look at him/her. Tie a ribbon around this love box, and add new notes to it from time to time.

• Take a romantic walk together, hand in hand, in the rain. Relax and allow yourselves to get good and wet. Hug and kiss passionately in the rain. Jump in the puddles together. Pretend you are teens. Have fun. When you get home, dry each other off, and…

• Trade houses with another couple for overnight or all day Saturday. Have them watch your kids as well during this time. Use your imagination and creativity. This is a free way to have a change of scenery. Celebrate your sexual intimacy, like a second honeymoon.

• Prepare a very special picnic lunch, take along a blanket and some pillows, and some of your favorite music, maybe even a tent. Go to an isolated area. Eat; talk about your hopes and dreams, enjoy each other, kiss and cuddle.

• Plan a surprise overnight stay at a local hotel. Make sure you keep it a surprise. Have your spouse's suitcase packed, someone to take care of the kids and everything prepared. Include a new sexy article in your spouse's suitcase - maybe panties or boxers. Don't tell him or her where you're taking them. They'll know when you pull up in front of the hotel door.

• Buy a dozen flowers, or just pick them from your own garden. Cut off the stems. Prepare a special unforgettable bath for your spouse. Secretly, fill the tub with hot water, bubbles, perfume, and the flowers floating in the water. Set the atmosphere of the bathroom with candles, her favorite music, and a special drink or desert.

• Experiment with different types of kisses. Which arouse you the most? Long, short, French, sucking on one lip only, biting, on the lips, neck, lower areas...? Try kissing with an ice cube or hard candy and sharing it... kissing between bites of food... Moisten your lips and pat with powdered sugar for a sweet kiss.

• Wake up your spouse in the middle of the night-with or without an alarm clock to make love.

• Prepare a romantic atmosphere with your favorite spiritual music, or a Christian radio program.

• Speak honestly with your spouse about what you like and don't like sexually.

To make these ideas extra special, use a concordance to search for Bible verses related to whatever activity you are going to do (food, water, cleaning, love, treasures, heart...)