Share Your World, February 8, 2021

Questions for Share Your World from Sparks from a Combustible Mind this week are prompted by Valentine’s Day, which is Sunday.

In your opinion, do May/December (older partner with much younger partner) romances ever work?

I think they can work, and that includes younger men and older women. It really depends on the emotional maturity of the partners, and it’s not always the older partner who is the most mature. One example is the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife, who is over 20 years older than he is, but it is obvious that they have mutual love and respect. I think we make love too complicated with cultural expectations, and that if two people adore each other and their hearts beat in rhythm, then “cie la vie.”

What physical action or gesture do you find romantic?

Reaching for my hand when we are hiking on a particularly rocky trail, and I need help to step down to prevent possibly falling. Douglas seems to sense when I need help, and his being attuned to my need is evidence to me of his love and care for me. It makes me feel safe and appreciated, with my value and worth known.

What is your idea of a romantic dinner?

Sharing a porterhouse steak with our own individual choices of sides, and then sharing a really decadent, nearly too sinful, dessert, with ice cream. Then, spending the time together with lots of laughter and sharing memories of special events and times that we hope to repeat, especially the countries we hope to travel to again together.

Is ‘love’ a real ‘thing’ or merely a physical chemical response and brain activity pulling our emotional strings?

Love is real! It is something we feel, but it is real in its ability to touch our hearts and bring us joy and peace. Love feeds a need in us that cannot be satisfied any other way. We need to receive love and give love, especially romantic love. You know people say that eating chocolate leaves the same feelings of feeling love, but I would argue that nothing quite feels the same as love of a romantic partner who knows you, supports you, and let’s you know that their world would be dull and unpalatable without you! Love is medicinal for the mind, heart, and soul, so it’s real in its consequences for our health.

GRATITUDE SECTION (as always optional)

How do you show your loved ones that you love them?

I keep in touch, through emails, text, phone calls, Messenger, and other social media or technology, if I can’t physically visit them. I send them words of encouragement and love, my love and God’s love for them, and I remind them that they are special and unique to me and to God and for the world, therefore, they are priceless and can never be replaced by another person, so that they always know that they are loved and lovable.