I'm married, with two daughters.

I'm married, with two daughters.
That's three gifts for birthdays, three for christmas, three for valentines day, one for anniversary.

10 gifts a year.
I plan them months in advance.

When I handled each a la carte, I always forgot something.
So, I plan, schedule, and batch.

Recurring tasks on my todo list, reminders... the whole nine yards.

The planning happens months in advance.
The purchase happens when the event is one month out.
Nothing gets missed (anymore) on gameday.

"But Morgan, that's not romantic. Where is the spontaneity?"

For reoccurring activities, spontaneity is the unintentional mind's excuse for procrastination. There is a time for spontaneity... just not on the ten gift-giving moments for the three people I love most.

I prefer to cover my bases, then layer creativity on top.
Spontaneity is the sprinkles, but planning bakes the cake.

Plus, it still fits my definition of romance:
Deliberate gestures that make someone feel seen, valued, and understood.

By that definition, preparation shouldn't diminish romance. It's one of the simplest (and rarest) ways to practice it.