You romanticize things. I don’t even think you know you’re doing it.” Six months ago, a staff member at an appointment told me this. I had never considered it before, but she was right.
“There’s a whole movement about romanticizing your life,” she added. “Google it. It’s what you do.”
For someone who spends a lot of time on social media, I rarely keep up with trends. So I took her advice. And of course, she was right.
A few years ago, the idea of “romanticizing your life” took hold online. The concept is simple: find the beauty in day-to-day living. You’ll experience more joy and contentment, and reduce the desire to compare your life to others. Essentially, it’s about choosing to appreciate the life you already have.
Amy Allender photo
I’ve always done this without realizing it. I’d face fear and embarrassment if it lends itself to interesting narrative. I have a desire to live a life so chock full of stories, that even when my body can no longer stand the rigors of grand (or minute) adventure my brain will be brimming with memories; ready to be recalled in a way that reminds me that life is good.
For years, I’ve said Minot is a romantic place to live—not in a paperback novel way, but in the “romanticizing your life” sense. When people moving to Minot message me asking what it’s like, I often tell them, “Living in Minot feels like a cross between a Hallmark movie and a sitcom. If you can embrace that, you’ll love it here.”
With that in mind and Valentine’s Day at hand, I decided to put Minot to the test. Could Minot live up to the pinnacle of romance, a Hallmark movie plot? Instead of wishing life was more like the movies, what if I could prove that our life right here in Minot, ND really was like a movie?
I looked for a movie with plenty of romantic date scenes, and after some research, landed on Dater’s Handbook, a movie about a woman who follows a dating guide to find love. She goes on dates with two men—one who is fun-loving and down-to-earth and another who is stuffy and serious. Predictably, she ends up with Mr. Right in a grand romantic finale.
The movie features eight dates and a big, romantic ending. To my surprise, every single date in the movie could be replicated in Minot. If you’re looking to break out of a romance rut—whether dating or just having fun with friends—here are the Dater’s Handbook date ideas and their Minot counterparts:
- Indoor mini golf, pool, and arcade games
Make it Minot: Play mini golf at The Putt District or Tilt Studio, arcade games at Tilt Studio, and pool at The Spot. Or try board games at The Clubhouse downstairs at The Putt District. - A fancy dinner out
Make it Minot: Treat yourself to steak, pasta, and seafood at The Vardon Chophouse. - A morning at a fitness facility followed by a picnic with local baked goods
Make it Minot: Get a day pass at the YMCA, play racket sports at Cameron Indoor Tennis Center, or work out at McAdoo Fitness Center. Then grab pastries from Prairie Sky Breads or Minot’s Daily Bread and find a scenic spot to enjoy them. - An art gallery opening
Make it Minot: Stroll through the Taube Museum of Art downtown or the Northwest Arts Center at Minot State University. - Attend a classical music concert
Make it Minot: Enjoy a performance by the Minot Symphony Orchestra, Minot Brass Band, Minot Chamber Chorale, or a student concert at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. - Dinner at a diner followed by a dive bar
Make it Minot: Grab a nostalgic meal at Kroll’s Diner, then head to The Blue Rider or Atypical Brewery for drinks (and maybe even trivia night). - A wine bar
Make it Minot: Sip wine and enjoy light bites at Off the Vine downtown. - Bowling
Make it Minot: Bowl at North Hill Bowl, Rough Rider Lanes, or try roller ball at Tilt Studio or SCHEELS.
My husband and I had fun checking off all the Hallmark date ideas, you can see highlights on the @HeyMinot Instagram/Facebook channels. Once we finished, I thought of lots more Hallmark-style dates: ice skating followed by drinks in an igloo, axe throwing, escape rooms, cooking classes, and pottery-making, just to name a few. Hallmark has nothing on Minot.
This little experiment reminded me that life doesn’t need to be extravagant to feel like a feel-good movie. We just need to embrace what’s around us, right here and now.
For more feel good stories and inspiration, join me online at amyallender.com, or on Instagram and Facebook @HeyMinot.
