How I Define Romance
I married an engineer. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. To him, jewelry is little more than metal and rocks with some design thrown in. Flowers are just carbon atoms in rotting form. Candy is delicious, but fattening, so eat in moderation. And cards are just words someone else wrote so you don’t have to put in the effort. When he proposed, he was a poor grad student, and I was working at my first job. I bought my own engagement ring—10K gold with an opal.
So you can imagine Valentine’s Day has never been big at my house. While I like shiny things, flowers, and candy, I pretty much agree with him. Plus, I tend to be contrary. Don’t tell me I have to celebrate love on a given day. I won’t do it. I don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day either.
Over the years, he’s bowed to society’s pressure a little, especially when we had kids. Valentine’s Day was a big deal at school, and they loved making cards and receiving them. Because they expected him to do something for me, he’d play along and bring home flowers. Never fancy, but still nice bouquets usually picked out on the way home from the leftovers at Costco. I don’t think we’ve ever gone out on Valentine’s Day.
But...
He was always willing to change a diaper. He always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. He always supported any decision I made. When we traveled, he’d force me to pick out some meaningful souvenir to remember our trip and time together (I have an issue with spending money on frivolous things). When I received a scary diagnosis (no worries; it was benign), he came home from work immediately and held me. When the kids had field trips, he’d volunteer to go with the class. He played with them, made silly movies with them, took them on adventures. When self-doubt plagued me (and still does), he pointed out just how successful and amazing I was (and am). He even bought me a real engagement ring on our ten-year anniversary, and when all my jewelry was stolen, he’s been slowly replacing it, starting with a new ring. And a safe to keep it all in.
I call him Robot Guy, not because he is unfeeling, but because he worked in robotics for nearly thirty years. It’s still his passion. He has occasionally surprised me with flowers (from Costco) over the years, but he has also complained that romance is expensive and no one can live up to the romantic ideals that appear on TV or in movies.
What he doesn’t realize is that he is the most romantic man I know. He is here, with me, doing the nitty-gritty unromantic things that life is. And I can’t think of anything more romantic than that.
I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with love and chocolates and flowers because let’s face it, they’re fun. But more, I hope your life is filled with romance—the petty-argument, chore-filled, mundane, boring, absolutely wonderful romance that makes your life complete.
What he doesn’t realize is that he is the most romantic man I know. He is here, with me, doing the nitty-gritty unromantic things that life is. And I can’t think of anything more romantic than that.
I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with love and chocolates and flowers because let’s face it, they’re fun. But more, I hope your life is filled with romance—the petty-argument, chore-filled, mundane, boring, absolutely wonderful romance that makes your life complete.
by Gabi Stevens
December 19, 2017
268 pages
Boroughs Publishing Group
December 19, 2017
268 pages
Boroughs Publishing Group
How could a good deed go so wrong?
Trask Sinclair enjoys his life as a famous author living in New York City. But after stepping in to help a woman on the run—a woman with eyes that speak of hidden depth, intrigue, and loneliness—Trask is suddenly pulled into a world he never could have written.
Allys Joel sees the future when she touches someone. That’s why a Wall Street firm held her prisoner for sixteen months. Escaping, with Trask’s help, puts both their lives at risk. They must journey cross-country to get to the safety of the mysterious town of Mystic, Wyoming. As they fight for their lives, their freedom, and a possible budding romance, they must come face to face with the reality—and secrets—that may change their lives forever.
Trask Sinclair enjoys his life as a famous author living in New York City. But after stepping in to help a woman on the run—a woman with eyes that speak of hidden depth, intrigue, and loneliness—Trask is suddenly pulled into a world he never could have written.
Allys Joel sees the future when she touches someone. That’s why a Wall Street firm held her prisoner for sixteen months. Escaping, with Trask’s help, puts both their lives at risk. They must journey cross-country to get to the safety of the mysterious town of Mystic, Wyoming. As they fight for their lives, their freedom, and a possible budding romance, they must come face to face with the reality—and secrets—that may change their lives forever.
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Gabi Stevens was born in SoCal to Hungarian parents. After spending time in boarding school, college, grad school, and studying abroad, she spent seven years in the classroom trying to teach eighth graders the joys of literature. An award-winning author, Gabi writes in New Mexico where she lives with her robotics engineer husband, three daughters, and two dogs. She loves to play games (She’s appeared on Family Feud and Jeopardy!), has a wicked addiction to reading, forgets her age on the volleyball court, avoids housework and cooking whenever possible, and doesn’t travel nearly as much as she would like to.
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