My Valentine's Day list of demands (I mean wishes) are really quite simple:  a gourmet meal, a full body massage, and maybe a night on the town. Then there's my friend, Becky. She muses about diamond jewelry and a trip to the ocean as the perfect romantic V-Day.

No matter the fantasy, our men should know enough by now to pick up that certain special something or to plan a romantic get away. Or so we'd like to think.

Truth is, though, no matter how many times you poke ‘em in the ribs as you drive by your favorite restaurant, or how much you talk about the beautiful vintage glass vase down at the corner antique store, it seems year after year us ladies receive not what we want, but the inevitable, sweet but boring, box of candy, flowers and cards.

Or, of course, there's the gift that's more for him. You know, Mariners tickets or the latest Melvin's album; while men get points for creativity in these instances, I wouldn't say they are gifts of romance. Unless these gifts are full of kisses and compliments and extra lovin', we still feel screwed on what's supposed to be our day of romance.

And after all, romance is the point of this high stakes day.

So guys, even if we are the coolest chick you will ever get, and we love rock ‘n' roll, and we love sports, and you can fart in bed, and we don't mind if you don't always shave or wear deodorant - we are still made of sugar and spice and everything nice. We want things that are as sweet as we are, and that doesn't always include a box of Russell Stover's.

Think outside that heart-shaped box, and really put some thought into it. What do you love about your lady? Love to laugh together? Round up comedy club tickets and throw in a limo ride. Love your lady's style? Try going into a local shop and picking something cute for her to wear.

C'mon, you can do it. Aren't you the one who just picked out that smart looking button-up for yourself?

For those who are tight on pennies, there is always the classic mix-tape, with songs that remind you of your smoochie-poo. Pair that with a bubble bath and candles and your sweetie will be smitten. Or frame a photo of the two of you and have it be the centerpiece of a meal you prepare just for her. Pour some wine and expect to see smiles.

And ladies, despite all our many efforts to make it clear and easy for our men to pick up the slack on their gift-giving skills, we must prepare ourselves for the possibility of a lackluster gift. We have to be prepared to look at the lighter side and love our men anyway. They are who they are, in most cases. We have to be willing to admit those roses can look kind of pretty and those chocolates are quite tasty.

And at least he looks cute trying.

Besides, we can always go shopping for what we really wanted later.