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Make a note of what day your anniversary falls on. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to start pondering the important details, rather than being in a rush to come up with ideas at the last minute. Depending on what you have in mind, it might be wise to start planning as much as a month ahead of the actual date.  Most couples use the day that they met or began seeing one another as the official date of their anniversary. If you tend to be forgetful, set a reminder on your phone to notify you when your anniversary is approaching. Giving him a heads up 2-3 weeks ahead of time will permit him to clear his schedule. Otherwise, you could run into prior commitments or other conflicts that threaten to put a damper on your special day.  If you have a something special in the works, try dropping subtle hints to jog his memory without spoiling the surprise. You might say something like “How long have we been together now?” or “Can you believe it’s been almost a year since we were first introduced?” Be careful not to come across like you're testing him. He may not appreciate feeling like he's being grilled. It may not be possible for the two of you to get together on the actual day of your anniversary if you’re especially busy. Instead, you might shoot for the day before or after, or wait until the following weekend when you’re both free.  A Friday or Saturday evening may be more convenient if your anniversary falls in the middle of a hectic work or school week. On the flipside, you might decide to go for a weeknight when fewer people are out to improve your chances of getting into an exclusive restaurant or sold-out show. If you’ve got a young one (or a fur baby) at home, make arrangements for someone to watch them. You’ll be able to enjoy a carefree evening knowing that they’re safe and sound. Try to have a sitter lined up at least a week before your anniversary in case things fall through unexpectedly.  Ask a friend or relative if they’d be willing to handle the sitting duties to ensure that your child or pet is in good hands. When hiring someone you don’t know, seek recommendations from people you trust or look up feedback from previous clients who have had good experiences with the sitter.
Mark the date of your anniversary on your calendar. Remind your boyfriend that your anniversary is coming up. Schedule your celebration for a time that you’re both available. Hire a sitter for your child or pet.