You sometimes hear people wish that every day was Christmas. But what if every day was Valentine’s?

I’d hope that two distinct approaches to Valentine’s would emerge:

February 14: “Romantic” Valentine’s Day

Ah, February 14! There’s no better time for romance and the all-consuming thrill of professing your undying love.

In the heart of Paris is perhaps the most romantic spot on earth. Couples huddle on the picturesque Pont des Arts pedestrian bridge. With the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre as their witnesses, they bring a padlock, tenderly hold hands and make private commitments to each other. After a smooch or two, they fasten their padlock to the bridge and to symbolize that they’ll never go back on their commitments, they toss the lock’s key into the river below.

My wife and I shared this wonderful experience in Paris last year. However, you can’t live on love and you can’t live on a bridge. So, when February 15 dawns, I’d hope an entirely different type of Valentine’s Day begins – a type we don’t see often enough, with professions of love backed by action.

Rest of the year: “Practical” Valentine’s Days

This second type of Valentine’s Day would see lovers daily walking the talk, with practical displays of affection. Valentine Bodendistle would have approved of this second type of Valentine’s Day. Valentine (his real name) was my great-grandfather. He knew the difference between good intentions and good actions.

Here are a few proven tips and recommended actions from my own 30-year marriage. Not all of them are romantic, but they are important ways to show you really love that special person:

• Plan together to achieve your dreams: There’s a very unromantic name for this process and the how-to document it produces. It’s a “financial plan.”

Action: Find an advisor who can help you create a financial plan.

• Create a family budget: No romance here, but it’s the single best way to actually achieve your family’s financial goals. A budget isn’t fun, but it shows your partner that achieving your shared goals really matters to you. In our house, my wife is the budget manager. She doesn’t like the job, but she’s good at it. (Years ago, I tried it and messed things up. Enough said.)  One key to success is talking. If we’re a bit short this month, we talk about the solution. If we have extra money, we agree on its use.

Action: Choose who handles the budget and commit to supporting that person.

• Write a will. And a power of attorney: It’s in black and white –  I trust my wife more than anyone on the planet to look after me if I can’t manage my own affairs. It’s written in my power of attorney. My will is a legal document – not a greeting card – that commits everything I own to her. Based on the averages, my wife will probably live another 10 years after I die. I think it’s actually kinda romantic to do everything I can now for her well-being of then.

Action: Meet with a lawyer to prepare these documents.

• Be involved with your investments: Either your partner or you (or both) need to be informed and involved. In our house, this is my job. At times, I’ve made some stupid mistakes, like the year I damaged my wife’s RRSP with risky investments and a lopsided asset allocation. I’m doing better.

Action: Find a great advisor who can help you understand the investments you have, why you have them, and whether they’ll meet your needs.

• Share the tax load: Explore the ways a couple may save on taxes. Our accountant advises us on which investments should be in whose name. He’s also advising us on whether setting up a trust would make our estates more tax-efficient.

Action: Meet with an accountant for tax advice.

• Share your secrets: My wife and I don’t keep financial secrets from each other. We have no secret credit cards or bank accounts. Twice a year, I update our joint net worth statement and we discuss it.

Action: Be open and honest with your spouse.