Yes, Valentine’s Day is on its way! For this is the season of love!
The 14th February is one of the most popular days in the calendar for proposing marriage.
Advantages
The main attraction of that date, of course, is that love is all around! People are thinking romantically. Many are physically marking the occasion, often with an anonymous love message (whether a card or, nowadays, an e-mail [how romantic!]). They may prefer a red rose. Or what about a meal out?
I’m not denying that Valentine’s Day is a commercial opportunity. However, it’s also a spur to think and act romantically, and that’s beautiful and all to the good.
So “love is in the air”, as the song goes, and that makes it easier to catch the mood and join in.
Downside
Whereas sending an anonymous message of love is a godsend for those who are shy, what about a marriage proposal? That can be quite another matter!
The nitty-gritty
When and where do you propose?
Do you want to do it in public? What if you’re turned down? You don’t want public humiliation.
If you’re in private, how do you bring it into the conversation?
One way to propose
I used to be shier than I am now and I had self-esteem issues. I wanted to propose (actually not on Valentine’s Day, but the principle holds good). I was fairly apprehensive, in truth, although I felt I was in with a good chance!
So I whisked my intended off for a few days in Rome. Now that’s romantic, isn’t it?!
I thought long and hard about the proposal. What if the answer meant rejection? I therefore decided to put it off to the last day, so that the majority of the holiday could pass without embarrassment.
The only problem with this was that I was on edge from the word go!
Resolution came by accident, in the event. We were in the ravishing Villa d’Este, on a fabulous day, on our second day in Rome, and had the place to ourselves. When we stopped at a bench, I didn’t hesitate and dropped to my knees.
Very fortunately, the answer was “yes” and the rest of the trip was magnificent!
Not everybody is going to be lucky enough to have Rome (and the elements) on their side.
What you do need to do is to weigh up the odds. When you’ve resolved to commit, be prepared. That means buying the ring, and deciding where you’ll propose. You might choose to do this at the end of a meal (whether self-cooked or in a restaurant), but not if you’re going to be so nervous that you can’t eat!
Wherever it is, try and set the mood (so the proposal doesn’t come totally out of the blue).
An idea
For a more elaborate plan, you could book a spot at, say, a boutique hotel or restaurant. A civil celebrant (such as myself!) could be lurking as you both come in. You propose marriage, get accepted, and give me the nod. I then come in and perform a brief engagement ceremony for you both. (The ceremony would have no legal significance, but be so beautiful!)
How romantic is that?
Yes, it truly is the sesaon of love!