Is Cupid Real Too?

When I was a teenager I devoured romance novels between readings of The Lord of the Rings.  Harlequins, Silhouette and if could get away with it Rosemary Rogers steamy historicals.  My daydreams were filled with perfect romantic dates and guys that did and said all the right things to make me feel beautiful, sexy and special. And then real life took over.

In my reality, romance was pretty much a myth. Or at the very least it looked nothing like those scenes in the romance novels.  After my divorce I watched a lot of chick flicks with the girls, still loving the idea of those romantic scenes, but knowing that it was all a fantasy.  Real life just didn’t happen that way.  Or at least not to me.  I accepted it and continued to get my romance fix in sappy chick flicks and trashy romances.

Enter Valentine’s Day 2011.  First, I’m actually dating someone at Valentine’s which hadn’t happened since my late teens.  Second, I actually had a date planned for Valentine’s Day. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew better than to over-romanticize it.  It was just a date. That’s what I told myself as I got dressed in a new outfit and packaged up the chocolate covered strawberries I made myself  along with a few other little items for my date.  That’s what I told myself as I drove to meet him and even as I got out of the car and said hello.

And then something amazing happened. I experienced one of those romantic, straight from the pages of a Harlequin romance, nights.  From an amazing meal cooked just for me, and a private piano concert to sitting in front of a crackling fire wrapped in strong arms.  And it was all real. No, really, I pinched myself to be sure it wasn’t a chick flick induced dream.

And here’s the real kicker…I don’t think he was even particularly trying to make it an uber romantic night.  I mean, I’m sure he wanted me to enjoy myself, maybe even make me smile. But I’m pretty sure this wasn’t something that was contrived, if you know what I mean.  It all felt pretty natural. Two people, enjoying one another’s company and enjoying making the other person smile.  And voila! Romance.

It was an amazing night I’ll never forget.  My girlish fantasies of a perfect Valentine’s date came to life.  What else might be discovered that I thought were relationship myths?  Is Cupid real too?