Photo by Denny Tjan

One day before Valentine’s day, Kalvin and I didn’t even know what date it was. Both of us had a pretty packed schedule that day.

So the moment we realized that it was Valentine’s Day the day after, we did what most couples-who-have-stayed-for-a-couple-of-years do: We ask each other what we should do on the most romantic day of the year.

The conversation went as predictable as ever.

“Hey tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. What should we do?”

“I don’t know. What do you want to do?”

“Dinner, I guess?”

“Okay, where?”

“Where do you want to have dinner?”

(And so on. You can guess the rest.)

Maybe some of you cringe at the idea that a couple who is just married for one year has no idea what to do on Valentine’s Day, simply because the conversation above doesn’t exactly reflect on a romantic dialogue – and I won’t be bothered to lie about it.

I also won’t be bothered to tell you that for us, everyday is Valentine’s day and we don’t need a special day to make the best out of it (bla bla bla) – because the truth is, Kalvin and I neither have a perfect picture as of Korean dramas, nor we have something like Nicholas Sparks’ movies.

Some days we have that laughing-and-kiss-on-the-bed mornings like in romcoms. Most days we don’t. Some days we have romantic breakfast. Most days we don’t.

But personally, I think that’s the beauty of it: to spend as many days as we can with the one we love most – in a deeply secured feelings toward each other. And even though some people call it ‘mundane’, most couples know it: mundane days – when being with someone you love – can be adventurous and romantic. I understand love mostly not only when Kalvin said ‘I love you’ with flowers but those moments when he tried to make me laugh when I was discouraged. I understand love mostly not when we go out to a fancy dinner but when we do groceries together. You see, to me love shouts louder in smaller acts and mundane days.

Most important point here is not me discouraging you to splurge on Valentine’s Day. If you did something romantic and fancy, that’s amazing. But even if you don’t, it’s perfectly fine. You don’t have to do it just because it’s Valentine’s Day (especially not for the ‘gram).

By the way, in case you are curious, we ended up staying at home, chillin’. I cooked for Kalvin and we watched a movie together. How was your Valentine’s Day?