Best of Me Valentine! How to have a nice evening at home! #BestOfValentine

Fans of Nicholas Sparks books rejoice! Another one of his beloved books ccam,e to life and you can own it now!   This time the movie is based on the #1 New York Times Best Seller - The Best of Me.  This is a tender, romantic drama about the timeless power of love, second chances and following your heart.  When former high school sweethearts Dawson and Amanda (James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan) meet at a loved one's funeral 20 years after tragedy separated them, their love is reignited. As they recall and relive the past, they come to a deeper understanding about the choices they've made. Also starring Luke Bracey and Liana Liberato, and featuring beautiful scenery along with music by Lady Antebellum, The Best of Me is a powerfully romantic story of love, hope and second chances.

In honor of the release of this film, I was lucky enough to  have a nice Valentine's date night in!  As a parent, you know how hard it is sometimes to get a date night out.  Finding the perfect sitter, planning the dinner and movie out, let alone work around the kids' schedules.  By the time you pay the sitter (any where from $40 and up), dinner out ($30 and up) and a movie (about $20), you are looking at about $100 just to  have a date night out.

So instead of spending tons of money, why not just host a nice evening in?  If your kids are younger wait till they are down for the night and pop in a movie, order a pizza and light some candles.  Older kids, no problem, banish them off to the basement rec room with a movie for themselves and their own pizza!

Ready to plan your own date night in?  Well then follow these steps:

1. Chose the perfect movie!  You can't go wrong with any Nicholas Sparks' movie!
2. Order a pizza.  Yup you read that right!   Most pizza places offer not only pizza, but wings, pasta, salads, sandwiches and more!   No need to cook on a nice quiet evening in!  
3. Turn down the lights and light some candles!   Not only will candles get the romantic vibe going, but they smell great too!    I love watching movies in the dark at home or with some mood lighting!  Makes it feel like you are at a theater.
4. Get out the blankets and get close.  You are your own home, so get close and snuggle!

Other ideas to consider is chilling a great bottle of wine, having a romantic dessert like chocolate covered strawberries, etc.!

 f you are a fan of Sparks and read the book, you know how it ends for Amanda and Dawson.  Well Fox is giving them a second chance at happiness in this release with the Tears of Joy alternate ending!  I don't want to give too many spoilers away, but the storyline is basically the same as the book and has the same outcome.  There are some changes as well.  Amanda's mom was an important character in the book and was rarely seen in the film.  There is an addition to character their storyline as well as a death scene is different.

For the Home Entertainment release, the “Tears of Joy” Edition Blu-ray and DVD will include an all-new storyline and “Storybook” Alternate Ending so Amanda and Dawson finally get that second chance at love.  

Purchase The Best of Me [Blu-ray] on Amazon for $17.99 & FREE Shipping on orders over $35.



It was nice to take some time for us this past weekend. It was a snowy and cold weekend, so snuggling close on the couch under the blanket with the fireplace on was great. A nice romantic date night in! If you are looking for a romantic date night then pick up the new DVD The Best of Me, and make your own romantic movie night in!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary prize pack containing a movie, Domino's Pizza gift certificate, two glasses, a candle and blanket. No monetary compensation was offered or received