Buy her flowers

Every girl expects flowers at some point or another, so you might as well start out the right way and get it over with quick. 

It shows that you’re trying to impress her. Plus, girls love fresh flowers on their dressers so we can Instagram them at the end of the night with “hashtag somebodylovesme.” It’s the sad but honest truth: we love to show off our relationships.

Make sure salad is on the menu

I can guarantee you a girl will order a salad on the first date. So don’t pick Buffalo Wild Wings or some other barbeque joint, because she won’t be happy. 

She wants to eat light, because we feel like crap after eating five slices of pizza or a basket of wings. Guys, eat whatever you want. And you better pay for the meal. it’s something called “chivalry.”

Be conversational

Girls appreciate a nice conversation, especially when you are just as invested as we are. If you get her talking, I promise she will love you forever, because girls love to talk about their passions. 

So don’t fill the conversations with your ramblings. Listen, ask her “why?” and “what do you think?” 

Act interested, even if she’s talking about a Halloween craft she found on Pinterest or an episode of “Glee.”

Keep it romantic, yet simple

Girls have high expectations. We want every moment of the night to be well thought out, but still easy. Think of something really sweet and romantic, but without trying too hard. 

Take her to Keeper of the Plains just as the fire is starting in the evening or to an empty intersection in the middle of nowhere to lie in the street and stare at the light like Noah and Allie in “The Notebook.”

-by Shelby Reynolds

Have you ever made your guy spend his hard-earned money on movie tickets to see some chick flick? 

Have you ever made him go to some “chic” restaurant and spend a ton of money on food that doesn’t even fill him up? 

Repay the favor by taking him out to chop logs, jump out of airplanes, or any of these more simple ideas:

Car show

Guys love showing off their knowledge of gizmos and doo-hickeys on, in or near motor vehicles. If you’re a motor head too, he’ll love that. 

Just make sure you don’t know more than him… he’ll get embarrassed. Really, the point is to make him think he’s smart. Guys love to feel smart.

Paintball

Nothing says, “I love you” like a direct hit to the face. Paintball is a great way to get your heart rates up without taking off any clothes. He’ll appreciate the give and take of actual volleys. The war wounds of love are always worth it.

Watch him bench press

The gym is the muscle-head’s domain. If your guy is a muscle maniac, make him feel right at home. 

It may not seem like a date, but when you find out what sound he makes hammering out bench press at 225, you’ll feel like you know him better than anyone else in the world. 

If you can show him a thing or two in the gym, he’ll appreciate that as well.

Man movie marathon

This is the big one. Watching the whole series of “The Lord of the Rings,” “Star Wars” or “the Godfather” is sure to get you a ring simply out of obligation. He’ll never complain about “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” again.

Although he may still groan about “The Notebook.”

 -by Jake Trease