A List of Romantic Things

You know, because Valentine’s/Galentine’s/Palentine’s is here.

Sundaze Book Café is the home of everyday magic, joyful living and conversations likely to be had over a hot drink with a friend in your favourite café, capturing the syrup-slow feel and glow of a Sunday. I’m Michelle, and I’ll be your host today.

One thing that you might not know about me is that I’m a big romantic.

(Or perhaps my weekly ‘Open-hearted joys’ series has given you a hint.)

Whether it’s romanticising my days or forever firmly believing that I’d have a Disney Princess happily ever after, I am and always have been¹ a Lover girl². Despite many (ex-)friends ridiculing me for somehow managing to find the light in everything, I proudly continue to do so and I’m thrilled that the rest of the world has cottoned on to just how much our mindsets are improved when you romanticise your life and treat everyday like it’s a day worth remembering. Why had it become a bad thing to celebrate lovely things in life? I know I’ll savour the good, the romantic and the joyful for as long as I live.

In lieu of my usual ‘Open-hearted joys’, here’s a lovelorn list of romantic things:

• Single red roses

• Somebody knowing how you take your tea

• Telling him you’re a bit of a moon girl; him gifting you a telescope

• A visit to the ballet for our first Valentine’s because I said I loved ballet as a kid

• Completing a puzzle together

• Forehead kisses

• Linking little fingers

• ‘This made me think of you’

• A Post-it Note left on a lunchbox

• Reading together in shared silence

• Taking an evening nap, so you can star-gaze together at 2am

• Being walked home, or to your car, or to the front door

• When they pull your chair out for you at a restaurant

• Sunset picnics

• Revisiting first date spots

• Handwritten letters, postcards, notes, cards

• Sip-and-paint evenings with the girls

• Making time for yourself

• ‘I made this for you’

• Cooking together

• Sunrises

• Journalling sessions by candlelight

• Smooth jazz tinkling throughout the home

• Flipping back through old agendas and planners and realising ‘I was here, there’

• When sunlight hits dust motes and they glow

• How delicate and soft flower petals are

• Finding everyday ephemera special enough to keep and scrapbook

• Two cups of tea beside one another

• Steam emitting from houses, a sign of life

• The thought that everybody has a life as vivid and complex as your own

• Going after what you want

• Indulging in each other’s special interests

• Back hugs.

From this sentimental writer girl, happy Valentine’s Day! You are so worthy of love ❤️

1. Anybody else still mourning The Traitors season three? We deserved more Alexander on our screens, and I’m still singing his opera-in-reverse.

2. Again, never not sneaking Taylor Swift references into everything I write.