Monday, June 16, 2008

What is romance?

What I'm reading: Body Language by Suzanne Brockmann
What I'm writing: Chapter 3 (was chapter 5) scene 2.

What do you think of as a 'romantic' moment? Flowers and chocolate on Valentine's Day? A glittery something on your birthday? Flowers delivered every Friday?

For me, romantic means thoughtful. Doing something unexpected. Sure, a guy's going to be in deep yogurt if he forgets Valentine's Day, but it's the action that says "I'm thinking of you all on my own" that trips my heartbeat.

Is a Swiss Army knife a romantic present? Some would say no, but the circumstances, not the gift, define the romance. Years ago, I watched MacGyver. Hubby could take it or leave it, and it definitely wasn't a 'let's sit down and watch this together' sort of a show. I was vaguely aware that he'd come into the room, but didn't even turn my attention from the set. When Mac got out his trusty knife, I mumbled, "Why don't I have one of those?" So when I unwrapped my birthday present and found my very own "mini-MacGyver" (hubby wasn't sure I was ready for the real MacGyver version), I was thrilled. Not for the knife, but for the fact that he actually heard me, even when I wasn't staring right at him, and making a specific request.

Sometimes the gifts can be glittery – such as the time when hubby and one of our daughters were out for dinner. Afterward, as we walked through the strip mall toward our car, I decided to look in the jewelry store. Hubby was definitely against it, but daughter and I pointed out things we liked while hubby grumbled. The next week was Valentine's Day, and daughter and I each received one of the, "that's nice" pieces.

Other things that say romance to me:

Hubby saying, "You're working hard, how about if I take over washing the dishes and one baby feeding every day". Bonus points for it being the 2 AM feeding.

Hubby poking his head into my office where I'm busy typing away, and saying, "Dinner will be ready in 20 minutes."

Coming back from the Y and finding the bed made.

Hubby saying, "I'm making eggs, should I cook some for you?"

Note: leaving the dirty frying pan on the stove 'in case you wanted to have eggs' is NOT thoughtful and romantic.

If we have to ask, it's not romantic. If those Friday flowers are because you (or your secretary) has a standing order at the florist, it's not romantic. If, however, you bring home flowers for no reason other than, "You looked sad when you had to throw out the last ones," then that IS romantic.

10 comments:

Viola Estrella said...

Hi Terry,
Those are all so sweet! I agree. To me, romance is getting the unexpected. One Christmas I received a cute green jacket as a present from my hubby. He said I'd noticed it when we were walking past a store window once. I hadn't remembered, but the fact that he'd paid attention was what made the gift so special.

Great blog!
Viola

Terry Odell said...

Exactly! It's so nice to discover they're paying attention after all, isn't it?

Viola Estrella said...

It really is! Makes up for all the times their attention is elsewhere. Football season comes to mind. lol!

Viola

Donna Marie Rogers said...

Sadly, my husband is about the least romantic person I know...LOL Lucky me. He's just like his own father who doesn't even buy his wife a Valentine's Day, anniversary or birthday card.

Thankfully though, after many years of training, my husband will remember to buy me a dozen or two red roses for most occasions without me having to remind him. *grin*

~Donna Kowalczyk

Terry Odell said...

Donna -- training is a slow, tedious process, isn't it?

mimi said...

Romance is knowledge and affection combined. Romance is bringing home a blues CD because of an offhand comment you made in a Chicago blues bar. Romance is flowers because work has been driving you nuts. Romance is "Disappear. I'll pick up and feed the kids. You need some alone time."

And sometimes romance involves *unmaking* the bed that got made when you were at the Y, but that's another thing altogether! ;-)

Terry Odell said...

Thanks, Mimi -- romance is definitely in the 'head' -- although I'll agree that unmaking the bed has its merits.

Unknown said...

Don't forget my senior year in high-school, when Dad actually got both of us the pretty things we were looking at in the new Jewelry store one night after dinner out.

Terry Odell said...

Jess, I did post something about that shopping surprise ... just don't remember where! It might be in another blog entry, but I know I wrote it.

Anonymous said...

Flowers and chocolates are the best gifts on Valentine's Day.