Today, May 1st, 2006 the most romantic icon in New York City - the Empire State Building - celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Hundreds of happy New Yorkers and hordes of eager visitors from around the world will ponder and reminisce from its 86th story Observatory Decks.
It may have been the awe-inspiring view and clear dramatic sweep of the "Big Apple" that must have motivated KING KONG to make that famous romantic trek up the building's spire with his date - silver screen beauty, Fay Wray, in 1933.
This "Beauty and the Beast" drama did set the stage for subsequent lovers down through the years.
Who can forget "An Affair To Remember" with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr and their thwarted date atop the Observatory Deck in 1957, followed years later by "Sleepless In Seattle" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in 1993?
After turning off its lights over the weekend as a nod to the city's skyline before the 102-story structure was built, the lights will be back. White lights, the first color to shine on top of the building, will illuminate all week from dawn to dusk in celebration of its 75th birthday.
If you're one that may have found romance on top of the Empire State Building, may I encourage you to share your tale with us and we'll let the world know of your romantic story.
Maybe it was a casual date, a nerve-wracking proposal, or perhaps even a jilted affair that shattered your heart into a million pieces. Whatever it was, we would be delighted to hear from you.
If you got your heart seared, then there is always hope for you.
Remember...
King Kong got shot down the first time he scaled the building, but he didn't lie down for long. He re-appeared again a second time last year in a remake by director Peter Jackson. And who knows, maybe he'll make future romantic trysts with other stunning beauties...what a fella!...what a stud!
Now the good thing is...while the Empire State Building stands, there's always hope for romance.
If you're planning a romantic getaway in New York City, or will sometime in the future, please make date with this romantic icon and wish her a happy birthday.
...Meanwhile, as I take the train home this evening, I shall see her lights beckoning one and all to find eternal love and embrace true romance.
Happy Birthday!
Roy
I believe I'm an exceedingly romantic person, but I simply refused to call my wife by any one of these romantic names: 'honey, 'sweetheart,' 'hon.,' or other common terms of endearment.
You see, as soon as couples start going steady, or eventually get married they readily gravitate to using these terms. Why?
Well, for one, everyone seems to be using them, and folks getting together may feel it's simply the natural thing to do... call it a bit of programming of the mind.
Now, ponder this...
...There are hundreds of millions of couples all calling their mates by honey etc. You're calling your wife honey; your next-door neighbor is calling her husband honey, and so are other folks down the block.
Too many 'honeys' and 'darlings,' and not too much affection at times.
I've witnessed countless times couples in heated arguments and still using 'sweethearts,' 'babes' and you know..."darling you're too greedy," "honey you're a big fraud," and "sweetheart GET me a beer from the fridge, and one for my buddy here"
...Notice the absence of 'please' and the emphasis on 'GET'
Now I'll encourage you to throw out these stale, overused 'romantic names' and dare to be different... think creatively!
I would imagine that special someone in your life is unique, so why not come up with something fresh and unique.
A few things you can ask yourself:
- What is special about my mate?
- What distinct attributes does s/he possess?
- What's so different about the way s/he smiles, laughs, walks, talks... combs the hair?
I would like to think that your mate is just not the average Joe or Jane down the block.
Why limit yourselves to just a handful of romantic names when there are thousands you can give birth to?
Create a romantic name that reflects any one of those hundreds of characteristics your mate possess.
So... the next time you're tempted to say 'honey,' smack yourself on the head and coin something new.
For starters, here are some more ideas to try...
Ok, so what do I call my wife? Ah, you do want to know, right?
Take care folks...
Roy
