The Full Guide

Small, fun ways to make your partner beam — in 10 minutes or less.

  • This free series is full of small, actionable gestures to help your partner feel loved and appreciated.

    👉 First, bookmark this page so you can return to it each day. Then, set a daily reminder — in your calendar, on your to-do list, or even on a sticky note — to keep yourself on track.

  • 🚀 Today, you’ll create the first surprise love note for your partner to discover.

    You’ll keep it super simple. Find a piece of scrap paper or a sticky note and write:

    • “Hi {NAME}. I love you.”

    👉 Write the note and sign your name. Then, fold the note, write your partner’s name on the outside, and hide it somewhere they’ll find it soon (e.g. in their shoe, in their coat pocket, by their favorite mug).

  • 🚀 Today, you’ll continue to build momentum. In pulling off each of these smalls surprises, how do you hope to make your partner feel?

    For example:

    • “Sarah. I hope these small surprises make you feel cherished, as if you were held in a hug, and chosen — not just once but again and again.”

    • “Marco, I hope this note makes you smile — the kind where your eyes light up. Know that I’m grateful for you and just as eager to surprise you as I was on day 1.”

    👉 Now, grab a pen and write a note that conveys your intention. Write it and hide it somewhere different (e.g. by the keys, in their wallet, in the stack of mail).

    —

    P.S. If your partner asks about what you’re up to, say whatever feels most supportive. You can be candid (“I found a series of little love gestures that I’m trying”) or coy (“It’s a surprise; you’ll see”).

  • 🚀 Today, you’ll go a little deeper. You’ll celebrate a trait you appreciate about your partner, anchored in a recent moment they showed that trait.

    For example:

    • “Layla, I really appreciate how empathetic you are. Last week, when your sister called about a tough situation at work, you stayed on the phone with her for hours. I could hear in your voice how much you cared.”

    • “Han, your joyfulness is infectious. Last night, you were watching some YouTube shorts when I was brushing my teeth. I could hear you laughing and it made me smile.”

    👉 Write the note and sign your name. Then fold it up, write their name, and hide it in a different hiding spot (e.g. in their sock drawer, by the TV remote, near the silverware).

  • 🚀 With this note, you’ll mix things up, to keep it surprising and interesting.

    Pick a form of non-sexual touch you’d both enjoy, like a massage, cuddling, or holding hands. You’ll turn it into a small coupon, with your partner’s name and a 48 hour expiration (so it actually gets used).

    For example:

    • “This coupon is good for a 5-minute shoulder, neck, or back massage. Expires on Tuesday.”

    • “Valid for one cuddle session on the couch (blanket included). Redeem within the next 48 hours.”

    • “This card entitles you to a walk outside, holding hands, no phones allowed. Expires on October 4.”

    👉 Make the coupon and hide it somewhere for them to discover (e.g. under their pillow, in a couch cushion, taped to the bathroom mirror).

  • 🚀 With this last note, you’ll go back in time and show your partner who they are to you.

    Find a favorite photo of you two and share the story behind that photo. Anchor in concrete details, like what you saw, said, felt, or did.

    For example:

    • “One of my favorite memories with you, Amir, is when we went skiing on our fifth date. I was a little rusty and fell on my face at least a dozen times. You always waited for me and never complained about slowing down. When we saw your friends later that weekend, you told them how great of a job I did, and it made me beam.”

    • “Jasmine, I’ll never forget the first time you visited my hometown. We got ice cream together on the boardwalk. Then, we took a selfie in front of the water, and I realized I had chocolate all over my face. We both started giggling, and I could feel in that moment how perfectly you fit into my life.”

    👉 Write the note, sign, and seal it. Then, hide it in one last hiding spot (e.g. by their workstation, in their laptop or kindle, or in a book or magazine they pick up often).

  • 🚀 For these next 3 days, you’ll move from words to actions. Your objective: quietly transform your home, one little corner at a time… without your partner noticing.

    Your first mission: Bedtime Bliss.

    Make the bed hotel-style. Smooth the sheets, fold the blanket, fluff the pillows. Set a glass of water on the nightstand and, if you have one handy, place a mint or chocolate on their pillow. Finally, leave a handwritten note that says “sleep tight” or “sweet dreams.”

    👉 Do it when your partner isn’t around. Later, if they notice and ask, just smile and shrug like it’s always been that way.

  • 🚀 Today, you’ll pull off another small, quiet, magical surprise for your partner — a Vanishing Act.

    Find a nagging pile and make it disappear — mail, shoes, dishes, laundry, or random counter clutter.

    👉 Slip in when your partner isn’t around. Clear it out and leave no trace. If they comment on it or ask what happened, play it cool. Smile, shrug, maybe even act a little surprised yourself.

  • 🚀 This last secret mission — Fridge Fairy — is one more chance to turn an ordinary moment (opening the fridge) into a moment of delight for your partner.

    Sneak into the fridge. Toss anything expired, wipe down a shelf or two, and line things up neatly. Get your partner’s favorite snack or drink and place it front and center. Finish the surprise with a handwritten note: “Cheers, from the Fridge Fairy.”

    👉 Go ahead and do this when your partner isn’t around. If you’re able to, stop by a store, to get a treat that’s extra special.

  • 🚀 For these last two days, you’ll let the kindness ripple outward, continuing to surprise your partner with different types of thoughtfulness and care.

    Choose one of your partner’s family or friends that you’ve gotten to know. Think of a moment you’re grateful for or their role in your life. For example:

    • “David, that dinner you hosted a few months back was such a highlight for both of us. Julian and I were looking forward to it for weeks. I loved meeting your friends and finally tasting your famous chocolate chip cookies. Just wanted you to know how much I appreciated it.”

    • “Maria! Every time Juliana and I see you, I feel like I walk away lighter and laughing — you’ve got that effect on people. Just wanted to say I’m really glad you’re part of our world.”

    👉 Send that person a short text. Let go of expectations. Your partner may never hear about the text you sent — and that’s fine. This isn’t about recognition or praise. It’s about showing gratitude and care, and trusting that, in some way, that energy will be felt.

    P.S. If you’re feeling extra generous, text short notes to 2 different people!

  • 🚀 Yesterday, you practiced loving your partner by caring for the people they love. Today, you’ll continue that theme, showing your partner (and their circle) that what matters to them, matters to you.

    Figure out the birthdays of a handful of your partner’s closest friends and family. When their birthdays roll around, send a short text, with a favorite photo of you and them. For example: “Happy birthday Elijah! This pic popped up from last year and made me smile.”

    👉 Jot the dates down in your calendar, on a post-it, or in a note on your phone. You can snoop around on Facebook, look at your calendar from years past, or ask another family member or friend to fill you in.

  • 🚀 The rest of the series is all about quality time. Here, you’ll design a mini picnic from home, one step at a time.

    Today, you’ll name the event. Pick one of your partner’s favorite foods or drinks to center the gathering on. Then, choose a charming name that alludes to that item and to a location at home. For example:

    • Cookies on the Couch

    • Chai and Chill

    • Sunday Morning Jam

    • Brownie Break for Two

    • Prosecco on the Porch

    👉 Go ahead and jot down a name.

  • 🚀 Your gathering has a name. Now, you’ll design the next part: a playlist.

    Think about what kind of mood you want to evoke (e.g. playful, energizing, calming, cozy, etc.). Choose songs that evoke that mood and that are meaningful to you both (e.g. favorite songs, songs from when you were first dating, songs that make you laugh).

    👉 Pick 5-10 songs total and create a playlist on your platform of choice.

  • 🚀 So far, you have a name for your mini picnic and a playlist. Now, you’ll design two light activities.

    First, choose an activity to start with. It could be hands-on, like a crossword puzzle or a dance party. Or it could be conversational, like each sharing a rose, bud, and thorn from your week (i.e. a success, a challenge, and something you’re looking forward to).

    Next, design an ending. Come up with a small tradition with which to end the gathering. For example:

    • “Each Prosecco on the Porch ends with a slow dance to Taylor Swift.”

    • “As is custom, Cookies on the Couch ends with a traditional fist bump.”

    👉 Choose an activity to start with and a small, quirky tradition to end with.

  • 🚀 Your mini picnic is nearly ready to go. Now, it’s time to invite your partner. (Tomorrow, you’ll set everything up.)

    Your invitation will give them something exciting but a little bit mysterious to look forward to. For example:

    • “You’re invited to a Brownie Break for Two. Meet by the couch on Tuesday at 4:30 PM. Bring your coziest blanket.”

    • “This card grants 1 person admission to Chai and Chill — Monday, 7:30 PM, no phones allowed.”

    • “Meet me on Saturday at 6:30 PM, for Prosecco on the Porch. The password is ‘more wine.’”

    👉 Text or handwrite an invitation, proposing a specific place and time.

  • 🚀 Once your partner confirms and the day of your mini picnic arrives, let’s get everything set up.

    Here’s how to make the space feel special:

    • Get any food & drinks

    • Display them nicely

    • Tidy the space up

    • Dim the lights

    • Light a candle

    • Lay out a blanket

    • Queue up the playlist you created

    • Make a sign with the event name

    • Get flowers

    And here are a few pointers for hosting:

    • If possible, make it a phone-free space. Tuck your phones in a different room, in a drawer, or in a bag.

    • Start with the food and drink, then transition into the activity you planned. Use your intuition to decide when to end the gathering, with the ritual you chose.

    • Finally, you can decide if you’d like to hold this gathering again (e.g. on the first Saturday of each month, on March 17th every year, etc.).

    👉 Go ahead and work through the checklist above, to get everything set up.

  • 🚀 We’ll bring this series to a close by creating a structure for future adventures.

    Over the next few days, you’ll prepare a mini bucket list to track all the fun, little things you and your partner want to do together — like “watch that movie everyone keeps recommending” or “try the new taqueria down the street.”

    Today, you’ll pick a small object to hold all of your bucket list items. Tomorrow, you’ll fill it with a few ideas. Finally, the day after, you’ll surprise your partner with it.

    👉 Choose a basket, an envelope, a pouch, or even a small bucket for your bucket list.

  • 🚀 Let’s start the bucket list off with a handful of ideas, that don’t require heavy planning. For example:

    • Food: try the new taqueria down the street, bake chocolate chip cookies from scratch, eat breakfast in bed.

    • At home: watch that movie everyone keeps recommending, listen to an album straight through, finally open that new board game.

    • Out and about: watch the sunset, play HORSE at the local basketball court, go thrifting and pick out outfits for each other.

    👉 Write a few ideas down, each on its own slip of paper. Put them in the basket, envelope, or bucket you’re using. Keep this a secret for now.

  • 🚀 Today, you’ll share the bucket list with your partner and choose your first adventure.

    Text your partner or leave a handwritten note inviting them to meet you somewhere in the house at a specific time. For example:

    • “Meet me by the couch at 7:32 PM sharp tonight for a top-secret mission.”

    • “Report to the kitchen table at 6:45 PM. I’ll be waiting with a surprise.”

    When you meet, show them the bucket and introduce the premise:

    “Here are some of the small things we’ve been meaning to do. Let’s draw two and commit to doing one of them within the next week. You in?”

    You can make this a weekly ritual. On the same day every week, you can gather, draw 2 items, and pick 1. Keep adding ideas so the bucket becomes a well of shared surprises you can look forward to together.

    👉 Go ahead text or handwrite an invitation to your partner to meet and choose your first adventure.

  • 🚀 As we near the end of this series, let’s decide what you’d like to carry forward into the weeks ahead.

    The intention isn’t to do everything forever but to choose a few simple rhythms to keep love off autopilot. For example, you could pick a day of the week to:

    • Hide a little love note.

    • Tidy up a corner of your home.

    • Text someone dear to your partner.

    • Pick something from the bucket list.

    • Gather for a little living room picnic.

    👉 Choose what excites you, add a reminder to your calendar, and let it go when it no longer feels joyful.

  • Way to go. The care and effort you put into the past 10 days are worth celebrating!

    We’ll wrap up with two last things.

    1) Share the love. If you enjoyed this series, tell a friend. Send them the link so they can get their partner beaming too.

    2) Unlock a bonus goodie. I’d love to hear how this was for you. Fill out this short form and, as a thank-you, I’ll send you a 5% off code that you can use for the Week of Hidden Notes, the Online Double Date, or the Month of Date Nights.

    Thanks again for being here and for all the love and care you put in.

    Warmly,
    Josh