Moving is a big and exciting event in any couple’s life, but it’s not all fun and games. If you’re planning a move, you probably also know that it can be a stressful endeavor. There’s so much to do, plan, pack, and organize, it’s easy for everything to feel overwhelming. Depending on what time of year you’re moving, it can be even more stressful. Holidays like Valentine’s Day center around love and romance, but it can be hard getting into the mood when you’re surrounded by moving boxes and tying up loose ends. Still, just because you’re moving around February 14th doesn’t mean you can’t still make the day special.
Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating true love and spending time with your sweetheart. Even though it may look a little different this year, the meaning of the day can still come through. You may just have to get a little bit more creative this year as you work to show your partner how much you love and appreciate them. Just because you’re getting ready to move, that doesn’t mean your Valentine doesn’t deserve to feel special and loved. Here are just a few ways you can still create a great memory and a perfect day while you’re in the midst of moving.
Give the gift of planning and being practical.
When you’re first falling in love, romantic gestures are bold, passionate, and exciting. Sending bouquets every week, going out to fancy dinners, and getting little presents are all great examples. While these sound more like the traditional Valentine’s Day gifts, there are other, more practical ways to show your partner you care. Once you’ve gotten to know each other, and you’ve developed a true partnership, one of the best gifts of all is to help your sweetheart by taking care of planning and practical elements.
Sure, it’s not a romantic bubble bath or a box of chocolates, but it may mean more to them that you packed up a room, worked to organize boxes, or called the moving company. Research apartments in portland, or work to find that dream house in your new location. Do research about the neighborhood, find luxury apartments you’ll both enjoy or look into what amenities you need. Schedule appointments, and take some of that pressure off the other person to do it all alone. Taking steps to make their life easier will be greatly appreciated and can be the best gift you can give on Valentine’s Day.
It’s the thought that counts.
When you’re in the middle of a chaotic time of moving, you may simply agree not to make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day this year. Even if you aren’t getting each other lavish gifts, remember it is still the thought that counts. You don’t need anything big or expensive, especially if money is tight with the move. Even just a simple bouquet of red roses for Valentine’s Day from a local florist can show that person you were thinking of them through the language of flowers. If you’ve already gotten the keys to your new home, you’ll need some tulips or pink roses to spruce up an otherwise empty space. Whether it’s these blooms, a few chocolates, or a simple card, remember that it’s the thought that counts in the end.
Invest in moments, not things.
Inevitably, any time you move, you start to wonder why the heck you own so much stuff. In the midst of packing your whole life into boxes, it can be hard to imagine needing one more trinket or item. Maybe this year you forgo the presents and instead invest in special moments. Maybe this Valentine’s Day you can prioritize looking through old photo albums or going on a fun date together. Invest in those experiences rather than spending your money on items that you don’t really need that will just end up stressing you out on your move.
Do up the new space.
During a move, there’s always that overlap where you have your keys to both apartments. With an empty space at your disposal, maybe you can consider creating a bit of a romantic oasis for your Valentine. Even setting up a small candlelit dinner or a sweet set of photos from your relationship can turn an empty space into a fun and special memory. You don’t often have the opportunity to create that magical rom-com moment, but this may be just the chance you’re looking for to make magic in your new apartment.
Get out and away from the stress.
When you’re packing or getting ready for a move, it can almost seem like a tornado came through your home. There are boxes everywhere, pictures are taken down off the walls, and you can’t find anything you need. In a word, it’s hectic. It’s easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed in a space like that. There’s not a lot of opportunities to feel romantic or sexy in a space that’s full of such chaos. For that reason, it may be a good option to go out and getaway for Valentine’s Day this year. Make a dinner reservation, or go see a movie. Chances are you may not have many opportunities for a true date night anymore, so take this opportunity to get out and getaway. You deserve Valentine’s Day that you can actually enjoy without the stress of packing and moving.
Remembering that you’re a team is the most romantic gift of all.
Moving together is inherently a romantic gesture. Whether you’re living together for the first time, or you have been for 50 years, one of the best things to remember during your Valentine’s Day move is how special your partnership is. Packing and moving require a true team to get it all done successfully and efficiently. Celebrate how well the two of you work together, and congratulate yourselves on the exciting next step you’re taking. In a way, that can be way more romantic than a bouquet or a box of chocolates could ever be. True love is about the true partnership and working together. Celebrate that.