Guys, here’s a key element to building and sustaining romance …

I don’t understand the current craze surrounding stand up paddle boarding, but on just about any given day, you’ll see guys and gals standing on what looks like extra-large surf boards as they paddle their way across one of the bays in San Diego.

Sometimes, you even see a guy and girl out paddling together.

A couple weeks ago, I was alongside one such San Diego bay when I observed a young man and woman, probably college students, each on their own boards, but obviously out paddling together.

It was easy to tell they were on a date by the occasional statements of bravado made by the fellow, and a seeming focus (and enjoyment) on making the gal laugh.

But then …

Then, the real moment of romance occurred.

They both sat down on their individual boards, facing one another, then he pulled the boards until they were immediately alongside each other.

There they were, just a young couple who had some level of “like” in each other, looking into each other’s eyes while sitting on boards in the middle of a bay.

The only thing they could do?

Talk.

Here’s why I think this guy scored some serious points in the romance category that afternoon — for women, there is no such thing as “romance” without a guy talking to his girl.

Women routinely complain that men don’t talk enough, so for a guy to purposely place himself in a setting where talking is all there is to do, the woman knows he is willingly being vulnerable with her and sincerely desires her company.

And just the two of them in the middle of the bay? How romantic!

Guys, I share this little story to remind you that to build and sustain romance, you need to purposely initiate conversation. When you close out the world — and turn off your phone! — and turn to your girl and show her you want to talk with her, there’s nothing more you can do that communicates to her that she is important to you than that.

Simply put, conversations are key for knitting our hearts together … and you don’t have to be in the middle of a bay to have them!

Scotty