You know the romance has gone when.............??

" The Wife" really Codfather . !!

You walk past him half naked and he doesn't even look up from his kindle.

One Christmas he bought me a plastic coated apron with a picture of a famous statue on it and couldn't understand why I was peed off as he had proudly bought it from a museum shop on a rare (for him) cultured visit.

? number 3 muddynails

Muddynails. So right. 1 and 3. Not considered 2 yet though

I know romance has gone because, on my mental list of essential items, the washing machine is number 1 and OH is number 4 . Actually, on his list, I know I follow DGC, his football team and the car, so I'm probably lower than number 4 .

confusing exs bd with mine
had to tell him exactly what i wanted.he was amazing in many ways.but gifts were not his thing.

Three years ago on my birthday DH presented me with a big box, beautifully wrapped and tied with ribbon. Imagining all sorts of exciting things I carefully unwrapped it. It was a Power Router! Now don't get me wrong I have a collection of power DIY tools of my own and I'm quite proficient with them, so I was actually delighted with the router. But what really rankles is I have not yet been allowed to use it!! He considers it his new toy! But it was me that had to buy the additional cutter bits for it. I think it was about that time that I decided to 'allow' him to cook dinner and use my ovens - every day.... So I think justice has been served, together with dinner each day.

A bit worried that a lot of these comments, though lighthearted, are about gifts / purchases. Surely romance is about the little things? A foot rub when you've been on your feet all day, a cup of tea brought to bed, being picked up from the station when the weather's awful, doing all sorts of little things to make the other person happy and their life more comfortable? Give me a partner like that any day over one who brings red roses for Valentine's day!

You are quite right carol58, and my DH always has shown his love for me in countless small romantic ways every day - bringing me a cup of tea to wake me up every morning; removing spiders when I scream; putting my electric blanket on before I go to bed on cold nights; holding my hand whenever we are out together; and always saying 'I love you' before we go to sleep. The gifts and grand gestures are irrelevant and I wouldn't change him for the world.

Carol58, you are quite right - most of us are being light hearted!

It's the ones that weren't that worry me kittylester ?

A 16th Anniversary gift was a metal shovel from B and Q - he tells me he had seen me admiring it! oh and the anniversary was 'base metal'. The following year , I received 2 new wheels for my 25 yr old hoover! at least we still feel its important to celebrate the anniversary!

After nearly 30 years of 'Wedded Bliss' I cant remember what romance is but we do go to the tip often if that counts as romantic, Muddynails option three is a bit drastic...I prefer cleaning the toilet with his toothbrush it's very therapeutic.

I also had a present of household items one Christmas. Beautifully wrapped oven cleaner and a scrubbing brush. I think he'd been let loose in a hardware shop.
I was not thrilled. But he is a sweetheart who brings me tea in bed and cooks me lovely meals.