Valentine's Day has come and gone in 2021, and seniors and people of all ages may have sacrificed romantic plans or put them off to a more opportune time. That's understandable, since the seasonal love bugs of 2021 are the least of your worries given the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date nights aren't what they used to be, especially since restaurants, movie theaters and other popular destinations for romantic evenings still aren't operating normally in all locations. And if you did venture out on a couple's adventure, wearing masks and engaging in social distancing protocols could take some of the fun out of it.
But, as the renowned master of romantic literature William Shakespeare once said, "Love comforteth like sunshine after rain". His quote couldn't ring any more true than it does during our current circumstances, and it reminds us that no matter what the challenge, love always seems to win. With that, here are four ways you might show love in or out of a pandemic.
In honor of the late English poet, draft a love poem to recite to your love. Not only is this gesture incredibly thoughtful, it's also the sign of a true traditional romantic.
Historically, it was common among young lovers to court each other in budding romances through a series of handwritten notes. Letter writing was normal practice for many romantic partners as well as very close friends between the 17th and 20th centuries. In many instances, these letters had to travel across great distances before reaching the hands of someone's love, and notes were considered the proper etiquette for dating back in the day. Now with the modern ease of smartphones, a simple text to express your feelings doesn't always carry the same weight.
Do you have an instrument or maybe a hidden singing talent? If you do and have a great amount of courage, consider singing and playing a song to your sweetheart to surprise them. This also can be a very considerate gift, but it doesn't have to be an amazing performance. In fact, you playing or singing to the best of your ability should be more than enough to bring a smile to a lover's face (and maybe a few tears either from joy or laughter). Either way, it's the thought that counts!
A nice fancy dinner at an upscale restaurant is lovely. But seniors can't always join each other in such a place during a pandemic. If that's the case for you, why not bring the restaurant to your assisted living apartment by making a romantic dinner to share with your loved one. Or, order one in!
Actual candles are a no-go in most assisted living communities, so decorate with LED candles or twinkle lights. Put on some mood music and enjoy something you prepared, take out from a favorite restaurant or just some snacks you both love. You can make it dinner and a movie or just keep it to candlelight and conversation.
To beg the question of Songwriter Haddaway's classic tune, what is love? It's not all about romance, so don't feel left out if you don't have a significant other to ride out 2021 with. Instead, enjoy the brotherly and sisterly love of friends and family right at Broadmoor Court in Colorado Spring, CO.
If it's safe to do so, invite family and friends to visit your senior living community for a day. Play games, enjoy conversations or show off your home to them. If your friends or family are too far away to travel to your location, you can still get in contact with them virtually by setting up a video chatting program on your electronic device like Zoom or Skype. Or, make a long-standing weekly appointment to chat with them on the phone.
Simply inviting friends and family to do things with you and making it a point to show them that you're thinking of them is a great way to show love. To that end, you don't have to be romantically involved with someone to write them a letter of affirmation or have dinner with them!
Love isn't something that's contained by a single holiday or made from sentiments printed onto expensive greeting cards. Seniors of faith know that love is a gift that comes from God and one that we're supposed to allow to overflow within us so that it pours out to others.
So, whether you're enjoying retired dating life or marriage or you just want to show God's love to others, think of ways you can reach out this year despite pandemic challenges that might still be lurking.
