Valentine's Day, Part 2: Modern Romance

February 6, 2019

A funny thing happened last week as I was writing my Valentine’s Day, Part 1 post. As I mentioned in that article, Valentine’s Day has never held much significance to Tim or me in our personal relationship. But, I wanted to really explore the traditional, over-the-top romance of it and see if I could find something applicable for myself. And you know what? It worked.I came away from that post feeling aglow with how lucky I am to have such a wonderful partner in my husband. While we may have mutually forgotten our anniversary, we still (unwittingly) had a wonderful day together on January 3rd by just being together in our regular old daily lives. And, when we looked at each other days later and realized our mistake, neither one of us was upset with the other. We just laughed and took the moment to appreciate how busy we’ve been, and how much our relationship has really been through to get to such a wizened milestone of forgetfulness so quickly (that’s a good thing, I swear). Writing that post and reflecting upon the themes of love and romance compelled me to view my own relationship through this rosy lens, and I liked what I saw.Maybe Valentine’s Day can simply serve as a gentle reminder to check in with one another and feel grateful for the daily romance of making two cups of coffee in the morning instead of just one, or buying his favorite brand of cheese every week, or noticing when he has a hole in his sock and getting him a new pair. Maybe Valentine’s Day could be accented by a simple gift that could be worn every day, one that your kids will reference as that piece mom “always wore” and will treasure years from now.My version of that are my bangles. Both of them were handmade by Tim for different holidays and I always, always wear them. Tim’s mom, too, had a set of bangles that she wore every single day for as long as Tim could remember. I inherited them after she passed away and anytime I wear them, Tim thinks of his mom in the distinctive jingle they make when I’m walking. It’s bittersweet, certainly, but it’s a lovely remembrance and evidence that jewelry doesn’t need to be elaborate or grand to be deeply meaningful.Modern romance doesn’t need to connote something less-than. Getting pizza delivered on February 14th and sidling up to your partner for another episode of The Assassination of Gianni Versace can be just as special as a fabulous night out at Marcel’s. To me, it’s all about how you commemorate it.A simple pair of studs in a sweetly wrapped box would be the perfect pairing, or perhaps a delicate necklace featuring a romantic pink morganite that just barely blushes. Perhaps for this year, consider a gift that can serve as a daily reminder of the menial-yet-gentle moments you share together. I’ll be posting ideas today on our Instagram Stories, or stop by our showroom to see what might work for you.