As a romance writer, my answer would be a bit different than reality. As a writer the idea of romance might be: a full moon casting shadows on the beach as the waves undulate back and forth, two young lovers dance to the natural cadence in the silvery spotlight of their lone celestial companion. Or: a stalwart knight offering to battle the local rapscallion to preserve the honor of the sinuous girl next door. Perhaps: high school sweethearts torn apart by war, unsuspectingly find each other in the dim lights of the Eiffel Tower – their families just a breath away, their eyes lock and their worlds are suddenly off kilter. Of course, there are the bodice ripping moments – too spicy for pure eyes that could view this page.
Ask me though, as a wife – as the partner of the same man I have been with since I have been fifteen years old. That’s a different answer entirely. Romance in reality is the smaller things. As I thought about this answer, I wondered if I was confusing romance with acts of love, but I think they can be one in the same. Romance is finding a song that reminds you of each other and singing to one another no matter how off key, breaking into fits of laughter. It is leaving small notes around the house, on a lunch or in a suitcase if you have to be apart. It’s the flowers you stopped to get just because or finding the sweet card at the store that you leave on their pillow. It’s stopping to pick up a pizza when you know your other half has had a rough day. It’s finding the perfect Christmas present that took you months to pick out because you know that it will make you other half happy. It’s grand sweeping gestures like surprise weekend getaways and small intimate gestures like the squeeze of a hand in support or linking your fingers in just the way you always have. It’s dressing up for date night, even though you see each other every day. It’s traveling new places and trying new things. Sometimes it is as simple as giving in, because you have the wisdom to know it’s not worth the argument. Romance is being there, it’s growing together and going through the changes. Romance is not having to ask your partner if you look okay, but just being told you’re still beautiful or handsome. It’s the soft whispered I love you and the cute traditions that annoy your friends. It’s taking care of things that you know your partner just can’t handle. It’s listening. It’s being there. It’s laughing and remembering and wishing and dreaming no matter how old you get. It’s communication and finding new things to talk about. It’s believing in each other and supporting each other’s dreams.
Romance is the steady, the unexpected and yes, it is still dancing with your partner hand in hand on the beach as the moon provides your spotlight and the waves a natural crescendo.
Shannon McCauley - Author 
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