My birthday is coming up next month, and I've asked my boyfriend of over a year to plan something for just him and me. You'd think that this would be simple for a man to do — go to my favorite restaurant and surprise me with a nice present and a card — but for my man, this is an act of torture. For Valentine's Day and for our one-year anniversary, I asked him to plan something simple for us three weeks in advance. I even gave him ideas (a picnic at a park, a romantic nature walk, or fondue) and told him to ask his friends for ideas.

Two days before the event I asked him how his planning was going, and after a bit of prodding, he admitted that he didn't plan anything because he hated to. So, as usual, I set up a nice dinner for us and we went to the mall together so that he could find me a present that he knew I would like. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I plan everything we do. I set up camping trips with his friends; I plan bowling nights or clubbing nights, but he can't figure out how to make reservations to save his life. He grew up in another country where restaurants and reservations are not very common, so me asking him to plan something nice is like asking him to pull his fingernails off one by one.

I know it may sound a bit shallow or selfish of me trying to get him to take me out somewhere special, but it's really not. He could plan a walk on the beach with hot dogs for dinner and I would be ecstatic. I just want him to put in the effort. I don't think it's that difficult, and he is a smart guy. He just needs some help, and he's too embarrassed to ask his buddies. What can I say or do to push him in the right direction for my birthday plans? I know he's willing, so I want to make it really easy for him without having to do it myself. Any ideas would be wonderful!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To be involved in more GROUP THERAPY, click here [1]]

Source [2]