Not Another Valentine’s Day Blog Post
I know what you’re thinking: here comes another lovey dovey, all is right in the world when you’re in love, love is the best thing ever, Valentine’s Day blog post. And you would be wrong. Yes, February 14 is recognized the world over with candy hearts, chocolates, roses, and romantic gestures big and small. But what if I told you that you don’t have to wait for a specific day every year to show or tell someone you love them? What if I told you that you could do that any freaking day you wanted?
Think about it. Chances are, if you’re reading this blog post to begin with, you’re probably already immersed in the romance novel world in some capacity. Authors and readers celebrate love within the pages of romance novels every single day. In fact, it’s the main reason many of us escape within the pages of a romance novel to begin with. Because no matter what’s going on in our real world lives, no matter what ton of crap we’re dealing with, or how removed from the world or unseen we feel, within the pages of a romance novel love always wins. No matter what the characters go through, love wins. There’s always a Happily Ever After. There’s always a love’s true kiss. The good guys & gals always triumph over whatever obstacles are placed in their way. And that’s a really beautiful world to escape into.
Now what if I told you the gesture of love doesn’t even have to be romantic love related? One of the things I love the most about romance novels are the friendships developed between the characters who are not destined for an HEA with each other. I love when characters unabashedly show their love for their friends within the pages of a novel I’m reading. Whether it’s the Girl Gang of Team Intel in Jemma Westbrook’s Alaskan Security books, or the newcomers Cara and Grace keep “adopting” as the various Bailey Brothers (by Claire Kingsley) fall in love, fierce lady friendships are a strong element of so many wonderful romance novel series. They’re kinda like life goals for many of us who read romance novels. To have those types of close friendships, where women constantly and consistently build each other up, support each other through all types of ish, don’t pass judgement, and work together to make all the good things happen- what a truly amazingly inspirational concept. What a beautiful example of how we can and should behave in our own everyday real lives.
And let’s not overlook those amazing bromances as well! Seriously, I dare anyone to read Claire Kingsley’s Miles Family series and not fall head over heels for the connection between Chase and Cooper. Yes, they’re complete goofballs, but the friendship they have, that they let everyone see, is honest. And comforting. How many men do we know in our real lives that would or could be that openly “friendly” with each other without being judged? And you know exactly what judgement I’m talking about. So, if you know people in your life with a real-life bromance that allows for honest communication, uninhibited affection, and true connections with the people they love, let’s celebrate the frack out of it! And them.
So, here’s your February 14th challenge from the Bookwyrm: Forget that the day is special because of the commercials, advertisements, and expectations, and remember that the day is special because it’s just one more day you can tell someone you love them. Then skip the overpriced, limited menu dinner and curl up on the couch (with or without someone else) and dive into a book that celebrates love no matter what the date is. Sometimes we need that reminder that good things happen, and while today may not be our day, tomorrow might just be. And all it might take is someone telling us they love us, they see us, they care about us, they’re here for us. Forget about trying to jam all the love you feel for someone into one day a year. Be like a romance novel and celebrate love every freaking day.
