Roger Varley has been in the news business almost 40 years with The Canadian Press/Broadcast News, Uxbnridge Times-Journal, Richmond Hill Liberal and Uxbridge Cosmos. Co-winner with two others of CCNA national feature writing award. In Scout movement over 30 years, almost 25 as a leader. Took Uxbridge youths to World Jamboree in Holland. Involved in community theatre for 20 years as actor, director, playwright, stage manager etc. Born in England, came to Canada at 16, lived most of life north and east of Toronto with a five-year period in B.C.
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Love was in the air
Never before in my life have I had so many people wish me a Happy Saint Valentine's Day. Indeed, I found myself doing the same thing to most people I met during the final few days of last week.
For me, it turned out to be the most romantic Valentine's Day I can remember. It was - if you'll allow me to bit a little bit hokey - almost like a scene from a romantic Hollywood movie.
My sweetheart and I went for dinner at our favourite restaurant Saturday evening and the ambiance was delightful. The restaurant was crowded, but not noisily so. The lighting was perfect, almost a soft orange glow, and the wait staff efficient but not obtrusive.
We sat at our favourite table, slightly away from the rest of the diners, but close to the pianist, who provided a wide assortment of romantic songs. Some were received as a pleasant background to conversation: others gradually seeped into the general awareness and lulled the diners into listening mode. Many hands joined together, fingers interlaced, as the lyrics wafted over the listeners.
The diners ran the gamut from the elderly - I recognized one couple who are in their 80s - to a couple who looked to be barely out of their teens. Many of the women clutched bouquets of roses or small gift bags, given to them by their partners.
At one point, a handsome young man entered the restaurant, clutching a small bunch of roses, and asked to see one of the waitresses. We asked if she was his Valentine. He answered: “I hope so.”
It turned out they had been a couple a few years ago, but she left town for eight years and only recently returned. They had found each other again and all indications are the romance will blossom once more.
My sweetheart and I spent the next three-and-a-half hours enjoying a fabulous meal, talking of things we are both interested in, but avoiding day-to-day topics. We didn't want the mundane intruding into the moment. Occasionally, friends would stop by our table to exchange pleasantries, which only added to our special evening.
After our dinner . . . well, this is a family newspaper and it's none of your business anyway.
I know the candy stores and flower shops did a roaring business on the day, probably serving mostly men with last-minute gift needs. It appears to be something written into men's genes: always leave Christmas, birthday and Valentine's Day gift buying to the last moment. But at least it appears the majority of men did, in some way, mark the day for the women in their lives.
While there are many occasions during the year - Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve and so on - that are geared to bringing families together, only one day a year is dedicated to love and romance and couples; one day designed to give partners a chance to feel just a little bit closer together than in the normal course of their lives.
To my way of thinking, that's wonderful and, at the same time, sad. It seems to me that the world needs more occasions to celebrate love, romance and togetherness, particularly in these trying times.
I know! We should all continuously work to strengthen our relationships with our partners, whether married, dating or living together. But the occasional little extra push, such as provided by Valentine's Day, wouldn't hurt.
Tell me, am I wrong?
