Who doesn't love a little romance? It's a sentiment that we can all relate to. We love capturing the essence of love, passion, and all those heart-fluttering moments. We love these things that we find in songs, books, and on our screens. I have a lot of experience in the changing landscape of romance. In this post, I'll share the evolution of my thoughts on the subject. Allow me to go from youthful infatuation to a new appreciation of the simple things that I call love.
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| Photo by Jasmin Wedding Photography |
In today's media landscape, there's no shortage of romance, and that's a good thing. From the passionate to the simple, romance in all its forms finds its place in our hearts. Even in our busy, often chaotic lives, a touch of romance can be a beautiful reminder of the enduring power of love. That's why romantic movies, shows, and shows will always be popular worldwide.
In an episode of the Fandesals, the focus was on favorite romantic moments from film and TV. It helped me to have a look at the evolution of romance from my point of view. It helped me to realize how much of it has changed for me through the years.
Are you a hopeless romantic or are you a practical person? Do you believe that love never dies or that it evolves through the years? We all have different opinions on it. It's something that most likely changes for us through time and experience. With love, we can all think of it in different ways but it's still love.
A Walk Down Memory Lane: My Early Romance Years
As I reflect on my journey, I can't help but think about how my perception of romance has transformed. Back in my younger days, I used to be a hopeless romantic. My definition of romance had grand strokes. It was about the sweeping gestures, the gifts, and public displays of affection. It was a world where love equated to passion and excitement, and where every moment had to be larger than life.
Here's one example of a grand gesture, the proposal scene from Crazy Rich Asians! With a bonus engagement party scene too!
Changing Perceptions: The Beauty in Simplicity
Now that I've grown older, I find myself drawn to the simplicity of certain moments I now call romance. What struck me with this was how my point of view during my younger years was so different from how I see it today.
It helped me to discover that the most romantic moments for me today are very understated. It's no longer about grandiose displays of affection or lavish gifts. Instead, it's the subtle, everyday gestures that capture my heart. This is not only in movies and TV but in real life as well.
Simple Yet Profound: Rediscovering Romance
Today, the romantic moments that touch my heart are often the most unadorned. It's the subtle, intimate moments that resonate with me now. Even something as basic as a slow smile exchanged between two characters in a movie or TV show is romantic to me.
There's something in the way a couple's faces light up when they're together. It's how their eyes meet and sparkle in the mere sight of each other without speaking a word. I love it when I see romantic couples in a comforting hug, a gesture that silently conveys, "It will be okay." K-drama backhugs for the win on this one!
Even something as straightforward as showing up with a cup of coffee is romantic to me. It's something I saw in the show "Castle" a few years ago that I found endearing. I found a profound sense of love in that one simple gesture. It's such an "action-is-louder-than-words" kind of thing that I liked a lot. That was so romantic in my eyes!
A Different Kind of Romance: Embracing Vulnerability
In the world of Korean dramas such as "Business Proposal," I found another take on romance. This was the concept of showing a strong character being vulnerable with the one they love. I found it heartwarming to see people let their guard down to let someone else in. It was romantic to see these characters opening their hearts and minds to the person they love.
To me, the appeal of these romantic dramas is not about needing someone for survival. Nor is it about being the hero who saves the day. Instead, it's about finding that one person with whom you can be vulnerable with. To be with someone who you can share your weaknesses with. It's about knowing someone will have your back when you need them because you let them into your life.
Partners in Romance: Building Meaningful Connections
My favorite romantic moments in movies and series have a common thread. They usually involve people who share a strong friendship apart from romantic love. It's this bond that allows them to be their authentic selves with each other.
To me, love isn't only about grand romantic gestures; it's also about partnership. It's a commitment to be a pair, akin to the unassuming tsinelas (slippers) in one of my favorite films.
For context, this comparison can be found in the movie Ikaw Lamang Hanggang Ngayon. It's about a couple in love being a part of a pair, like slippers. It's about being with a partner you feel at home with. It's about being together not only for the romance but also for the ordinary moments. I will never forget that movie because of that analogy!
"I Choose You": The Power of Commitment
One realization from the podcast episode on romance that stood out to me was the word 'choose.' It was how the phrase "I choose you" can be even more powerful than "I love you."
When it comes to choosing, this scene always comes to mind:
Passion and grand romantic gestures can often cast a shadow over the true heart of love. In my view, love is all about making that choice and declaring, "You're the one I want. You're the one I choose." It's about welcoming someone into your world, imperfections and all. It's about owning that choice and sticking to it.
To me, love is choosing to be with someone even in the most ordinary, most boring of days. It's the person you can share a moment of stillness with and it would be OK. It's about appreciating that those simple and quiet moments can also feel like the best time ever.
Embracing the Romance of Today
Romance today is still pretty much the same in movies and TV. I don't always find things on them romantic anymore. It could be because I'm older or have become boring. For some reason, many things considered romantic now don't resonate with me anymore.
It's not that I am invalidating the way younger people see love. I understand that love means different things to different people. What we find romantic can vary depending on who we are and what point in life we are in.
An ideal romance in my eyes is about simplicity, authenticity, and the depth of connection. It is so different from my younger years. I kind of miss that feeling, to be honest. When the grand and flashy things felt nice. Now my heart feels warm and full from much simpler things. Boring by some accounts, but beautiful all the same.
In the journey of love and romance, we discover that our definitions will always evolve. But, when you think about it, some things will never change.
Love will always be love, only in different forms and degrees. Romance, in all its forms, reminds us of the profound connections we can build with others. It is the joy of sharing simple moments, and the beauty of choosing to be with someone through life's highs and lows.
It may be different for each of us, but that's the beauty of love—it means something special to everyone. Our views on it may evolve, but it will always be there. In a world that's often fast-paced, a little romance can be a gentle, reassuring constant in our lives. I'm happy that no matter what way, shape or form it is, we still have love in our lives and the world. For that, I will always be grateful.
For those interested in watching the Fandesals episode, I am embedding it here. If you understand Tagalog and enjoy podcasts, I hope you can give it a watch (or listen). Let me know what you think of this post and the podcast in the comments! I would love to know what you think of this topic!
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