The way to a girls heart.....

I believe I wrote this one in March 2008.....still great stuff though :)

You know the age old saying, "The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach." And the way to a woman’s heart is by flowers and chocolates and jewelry. Don’t get me wrong, I love flowers and jewelry, but I think anymore, it’s more than that.

Just like our generation wants more out of life – fancy cars, big houses, lavish vacations, I think we want more out of relationships as well. Not just romantic relationships either, but friendships too.

So instead of buying flowers (that will die) and chocolates (that we will throw away when you leave)…the way to a girl’s heart is through her dog, her friends, and her nickname. Sounds simple, right?

When a girl has a dog, her very own dog, I promise you that dog means more to her than anything. So, be nice to the dog. Play with the dog. Call the dog by the correct name and sex. And that’s just if you’re friends. If you’re trying to date her, my suggestion is to become a dog person. Understand that any habits that dog has in her house are not going to change just because you’re in the picture. So get used to the dog sleeping in bed with you, cuddling on the couch with you, and being unsure of whether or not she’s talking to you when she says "Baby!" Other great ways to get on a girl’s good side….take the dog out while she’s getting ready, feed the dog, and play with the dog even when she’s not watching…..

Oh, her friends! Every girl has friends, typically several groups of friends and people that she’s kept in touch with over the years. Women are good like that. As the new man in her life, it’s your job to impress them. All of them. Her work friends, her good friends, the friends she drinks with on Friday nights, and any friend that may come into town to visit. I don’t just mean wear clean socks and iron your shirt, I mean impress them. Talk to them. Ask them questions. Make it so she’s comfortable leaving you alone with them while she goes to the bathroom. Believe me, no matter a woman says, it’s hard to date a man your friends hate. And it’s hard to dump a guy they love.

And her nickname. The people closest to you call you by your nickname. The people that have known you for years or perhaps the people that gave you the nickname are all very near and dear to your heart. When someone calls me Rye rather than Ryann, I respond….a little softer, if you will. It’s endearing. So if the girl you’re dating has a nickname, once you’re comfortable enough and have heard enough people call her that, it’s a good idea to jump on board. If she doesn’t have one….make one up. I’m not talking about a sweet, sappy pet name, but a nickname. Somehow it’s really, really hard to get mad at someone when they don’t use your full name.

By no means am I saying stop buying flowers and chocolate and jewelry for the girl you’re dating. But start thinking about the simple things that mean the world. Status quo doesn’t work for this generation my friends, think over and above – just like everything else you want out of life :)

xoxo