How to Exchange Romance for Love on Valentine’s Day

How to exchange romance for love on Valentine’s Day.

While red roses, boxes of chocolates, and romantic dinners for two may appeal to some, these seem to be more suited to those that are newly in love or within their teenage years than to the general, adult public. The difference between love and romance may take several years if not decades to learn, but once learned, there needs to be something distinctive shared between those who have found a deeper meaning to love than the simple dreams and desires of the young at heart. I am not saying that flowers, candy and special dates are merely for youth; however, I would like to discuss some alternative ideas for celebrating a day that supposedly emphasizes love, yet rarely seems to lift itself above commercial romance.

Flowers offer symbols of beauty, perfume, nature and affection to a partner and with red roses being symbolic of romance, many lovers will opt on this traditional representational offering. There are numerous alternatives that can also depict these values though, which those wishing to be unique, adult, or to illustrate love rather than just the aspect of romance might wish to consider. Likewise, chocolates and candies are outward signs of sweetness, tastiness, luxury, and pleasure, which can all be shown in diverse and less fattening ways. The romantic dinner date – portraying togetherness, luxury, elegance, and specialness – can also be replaced by something more personal and individualized, still representing love, yet focusing on love as a whole rather than simply on the facet of romance.

Beauty does not necessitate physical beauty; it comes in many forms, both natural and manmade. Strolling around an art gallery, sitting upon a grass meadow observing the buzzing insects, sharing a cuddle on the sands while blending into the sounds of the ocean’s waves, or visiting a zoo to hear the splendor contained within the sounds of the animals are all options for enjoying beauty.

Perfume and pleasant scents need not be floral or chemically created colognes. The smell of a freshly cooked lemon meringue pie, a specially selected Indian incense aroma curling up into the nostrils, freshly showered soap-scented skin, or the aroma of a herb garden are choices you might wish to indulge in.

Nature can be celebrated in multiple ways. A mountain hike, a swim in a lake, sitting in the local park and observing everything that has life, paddling through gentle waves on silky sand, drawing inspiration from a stroll through the woods or from a biology lecture are all choices you could consider.