This will be a relatively short one but it will go a long way. I can't tell you how many women have told me that they would love their husbands to do this.

Many years ago (my wife and I are approaching 38 years) this is what the annual discussion about our anniversary went like.

"So where do you want me to take you for dinner."

"Oh, I don't care. Just no pizza or hamburgers and I'm kind of tired of Mexican food."

"Wanna go to Outback or someplace with steaks."

"That's fine"

"You sound thrilled."

"No really. That's fine."

"How about seafood?"

"That's fine, too"

"You're sure?"

"It's fine!"

This just didn't seem to be the way to go about it. Then I had a brainwave! Here is our conversation now.

"Dear. You need to be ready for dinner by 6:30 because it takes a while to get there. Also, this place is a little dressy."

"Where are we going?"

"You'll find out when we get there."

Start early. A month or two before that you can start building the drama.

"I heard about a great restaurant from one of my co-workers. Sounds like one we might want to try maybe on our anniversary." Nuff said. Let her wonder. Get the kids involved. Mine would take her right to the edge but never quite tell her.

If you don't believe it, ask some of your female friends what they would think of the idea. You'll be surprised. My wife loves it. Remember, all you tell her is when to be ready and what to wear. Then be creative. Go elegant. Go to historic places.

And don't be stuck on restaurants. One year I told her to pack for an overnight and took her to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. Another we went to a wine tasing dinner and learned a lot about wine. Have fun with it.

Our first was to The Fort in Morrison, Colorado. This was about an hour drive through areas of Colorado she had never seen. The question I kept hearing was "Where on earth are we going." She loved it and a tradition was born.

And as always enjoy YOUR Treasured Pasts.

Stuart