“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”

-William Shakespeare

With the end of summer getting closer, it’s high time to make the most of these long days and especially romantic nights. If you’re looking to spice up your love life, take some inspiration from favorite classic movies and reap the best summer has to offer. Sometimes all one needs is a little push in the right direction, a bit of encouragement and…voila! Finding love and keeping it doesn’t have to be as elusive as it sounds.

For couples 

“Summer nights” sung by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in “Grease” sums up the fun, flirty feeling of love and is bound to bring back memories of carefree youth. 

• Cook together and have a candlelit dinner! Pick wildflowers that are abundant this time of year and decorate the table as it’s a special occasion. It’s always a good idea to put in effort; don’t become jaded just because you’ve been with your significant other for a long time.
• Cocktail hour with all the fixings (shaker, decanter, fancy glasses, cherry, and lime or lemon garnishes) is a wonderful way to make any evening a little more special and relaxed. If this is too much preparation, simply enjoy a chilled bottle of rosé.
• Swimming with someone you love is always fun; make sure to actually play in the water (just swimming laps across the pool doesn’t count). 
• Do something you haven’t done before and make sure to do it as a team. For instance, take a trip and go somewhere new and exotic. Traveling together is a test for any relationship and can really gauge how compatible you are. 
• Go to the beach (it’s even more romantic during the off-season)! Long walks on the beach in the surf may sound like typical corny romantic fodder but are, in reality, incredibly enjoyable. 
• Watch the sunset or, even better, see the sun rise after staying up all night. 
• Write each other love letters! This is so much better (and more thoughtful) than texting.
• Priscilla Presley recently reminisced about how she and Elvis stayed attractive for each other; they made a conscious effort to dress up.
• Pitch a tent and go camping (just the two of you); roast marshmallows and hotdogs beside a roaring fire.
• Plan a date night. If you have kids, get a babysitter!

For those looking for love

Summer is ideal for having a fling. Many are looking to join the dating scene again since Covid, and finding a romance can be difficult, especially if you haven’t been incredibly social for over two years. The number one thing to remember is to have fun and not take mingling too seriously. There’s so much to do before Labor Day during the hot summer months (and well into September). Remember to engage in activities that don’t cost a lot of money and are practical for everyone.

• Carnivals are beyond enchanting and will bring out the teenager in just about anyone. Think of the scene in “East of Eden” when James Dean and Julie Harris kiss on the Ferris wheel. What could be more charming? Fairgrounds are rife with amusement and ideal for a rendezvous. Try playing games and winning a stuffed plush toy for your date. Enjoy the rides and share candy floss, ice cream, or a snow cone.
• One of the essential sexy films of the summer (or any time) is “Body Heat”: watch Kathleen Turner and William Hurt begin an affair during the steamy Florida summer where cool breezes are elusive, and femme fatales are on the prowl.
• “The Long Hot Summer” with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward is trending right now and will make anyone long for the sticky Southern heat! On that note, catch the new documentary, “The Last Movie Stars” on HBO. 
• Go to a drive-in or an outdoor movie.
• There’s nothing dreamier than a picnic by a lake (or in any bucolic setting).

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