The V-Day Series: Let Romance Continue...

In the middle of 2005 I created a blogsite called Romancexpress - Romantic Expressions. Since then I've made post after post, touching romance from a variety of angles, for romance is more than images of love and lust; it's happiness, sadness, mystery, heroism, anger, passion, loftiness, and even contentment. However, this is the time of year when lovers really come alive. So now, let's dive into this thing called lovers' romance and make with the fireworks!

Romance is for fools; or so many have said. Well... I'm a fool then. A big fool. See, romance is something that's not always practical. What's practical about pinching the back of a young lady's arm playfully, or gracing her chin with your fingertips, or dancing with her in an empty school hallway... Not a thing, but see if that stops me, lol. When I think about life, I think about what life would be like without the romance: the oddities, the spontanaeity, the zest. If everything in life had to make sense... If everything in life could be broken down to a simple mathematical equation...

In a pracitcal world, beauty doesn't make sense; smiles are for nought. Some might say that in a practical world these things would bring about more suspicion than anything. But I don't live in that kinda world; or maybe I haven't accepted it yet. You remember I mentioned Don Quixote in a previous post. Don Quixote, a character from a book of the same title, lived in his own, romantic world in the midst of a world that didn't accept his wild, eccentric ways. He became an interference to the people around him. Yet... In their hearts, they wished to see his world come to pass. His lowly sidekick wished to truly become governor of some remote island; the inn harlots truly wished to have lifestyles as respected women. Don Quixote offered such dreams to all those around him, and maybe had they dreamed a little, the dreams would have come to pass. And if you ask me, I think it would have been worth it for them to know their heart's satisfaction, if only for a moment.

I know it feels like this is neither here nor there, but it's everywhere, lol. Just be patient...

When I say "Let Romance Continue...", I say it because I see so many who have given up on romance. There are men that say, "Romance is for soft cats; real men don't get into all that," so they never spark romance. Then there are women that say, "Romance? These brothas are just running game," and refuse to accept romance. But this give-and-take is vital to romance... What happens to romance when half the people don't give, and the other half won't take? It dies. Really, I don't have to tell you: being romantic and not receiving romantic expression in return makes you feel obsolete; I mean it really hurts. Love letters: nobody takes them seriously anymore. A simple compliment from a brotha to a sista, often met with rolling eyes, popping teeth, gaggled laughter. (I mean, there is such a think as a compliment without dating intentions... take it easy, pleasy...) Yet, somehow I know that all these people in some way want to live in a time where romance breathes. Am I crazy for believing that? You probably think Don was crazy too, huh...

It's the second day of February. I'm looking across the landscape and seeing a new Valentine's Day on twelve-times the far horizon. It's a blazing rose-red trimmed in gold. But without the romance, it will be just another day of repetitious, perfunctory candies, cards, and flowers. Working the night shift at Target I can already see, taste, smell, and touch the Valentine's Days of a 12 million people. It will be a day filled with unoriginal, repetitious, and perfunctory cards, candies, stuffed animals, and flowers. Is your love so bland? Is that the best you can do? Where's the romance? You got one day! Make it memorable! Don't make me have to the replenish the shelves in the aftermath of your last minute gift shopping!

Don't get me wrong... Traditional romantic sentiments are beautiful. The roses, the chocolates, the cards... they're all nice. But when you buy them, does it really express your feelings, or is it just the socially accepted way to celebrate Valentine's Day? Think about it: I mean, does your ladyfriend even LIKE chocolate? What's her favorite food? Why not take her out for some of that? What's your man's favorite song? Why not sing it to him? Take off work! Don't worry about it; cats like me can get the job done for ya for one day, lol.


This is all I ask... To anybody who reads this:
If you have romance, give it; if you're offered romance, receive it
This is how we keep the romance alive and breathing.

-All LoveB-J