It's always nice for your special someone to bring you flowers or take you out to a nice dinner. Especially if that is not something you get to do together very often. If you're a hopeless romantic like I am, you find it hard to celebrate this holiday without at least a little bit of cheese. So please feel free to buy that heart shaped candy box and stuffed puppy dog. But, I know that I appreciate my person even more when he goes out of his way to make a date unexpectedly unique and fun.

So here are 10 unforgettable dates that I would love to experience myself (or that I have already been lucky enough to):

1. Go to a concert.

Use the "Bandsintown" app to find tons of music events happening near you. Or, if there's a band or artist that your lover is especially fond of, look up their touring schedule and see if they will be performing in a venue near you.

2. Cook a meal together.

It is a more intimate setting with room to create the perfect ambience specific to your personal tastes. Light a few candles and dim the lights a little to set the mood (there's some cheese for ya).

3. Share a new experience together.

If there is a place you want to that your valentine also has not yet been to, there is no better day to go than Valentine's Day. What a great way to show each others commitment to the others happiness.

4. Go for a hike in a scenic location of your choice.

Choose a local park with pretty trails or even just take a stroll or bike ride down the beach. Beautiful, peaceful scenery easily sets a comfortable mood.

5. Go on a picnic.

Travel to a scenic spot of your special someone's choice, or even better, blind fold them for the drive and surprise them with one of your own.

6. Try something new that your special someone has been bugging you about.

For example, he wants me to go golfing with him. And I will, but only if for the next date, I am allowed to make him go see a play with me. Make a compromise, even if it is something you really don't want to do. It should be enough of a gift to know that you are making your valentine happy.

7. Day trip it!

Ever talk about your favorite places or towns/cities you would love to visit someday? Make it happen on Valentine's Day. Why settle for just a few hours at a dinner table when you can do on an all day adventure? Maybe you even decide to spice it up with a surprise destination.

8. Go to a museum: art, science, history, all of the above.

Sharing knowledge with your person is probably one of the most romantic parts of a relationship. It is important to be able to learn from one another. Viewing an Impressionistic painting or a historical document could spark interesting conversation and show where each individuals passions lie.

9. Go to the zoo or the aquarium.

For all the animal lovers--share the love with some furry friends and bond with your special someone over your mutual love and appreciation for the animal kingdom. I do hope that I am not the only one who thinks it is so cute when your special someones heart melts at the sight of an adorable monkey.

10. Foster a pet for a day and take it with you wherever you go.

It certainly will add a new level of excitement to anything else you would want to do. Additionally, you will see how you and your special someone work together to take care of your little furry friend.

Whatever you decide to do for Valentine's Day this year, keep in mind that this holiday celebrates a rarity in each persons life-- the gift of love. Treasure those you love and those who love you in return. Do not restrict the love you give to this one day of the year. Be thankful for compassionate and affectionate beings today and every day.

Love is limitless. Let it radiate.