Honor Romance Awareness Month with Blossoms, Greenery, and a Variety of Offerings
In August, we mark the celebration of Romance Awareness Month, a special occasion dedicated to maintaining and nurturing romantic relationships throughout the year. This initiative was founded by writer and relationship coach, Eileen Buchheim, as a gentle reminder to keep the romance alive beyond traditional occasions like Valentine's Day or anniversaries.
The month reaches its peak on August 14th, Romance Awareness Day, a day chosen as a midpoint about six months after Valentine’s Day. This timing provides an opportunity for couples to reset and reignite romantic energy, offering a chance to reflect on how love is expressed and nurtured in everyday life.
Romance Awareness Month coincides with Read-a-Romance Month, a celebration started around 2013 that encourages lovers of romance fiction to enjoy and celebrate romantic stories. This combination makes August a month filled with love, literature, and meaningful connections.
Flowers and plants are timeless tools to keep connections blooming, not just during Romance Awareness Month. Red or blush roses, for example, are timeless symbols of love and passion. Orchids, on the other hand, express refined or mature affection. Anthuriums with their heart-shaped spathes whisper affection, while sunflowers represent bright, positive, unshakable love.
Incorporating seasonal or locally-grown blooms adds meaning to the gesture. Surprise flower deliveries can keep the emotional spark alive in long-distance relationships. Hoya Heart (Hoya kerrii), a heart-shaped leaf, symbolizes enduring love.
Romance Awareness Month is not just about grand gestures, but about intentional, consistent romantic gestures. Acts of service, like tidying a workspace or running errands, can be romantic gestures. Planning a screen-free evening filled with candles, music, and conversation is a romantic idea.
Curating a shared playlist or starting a journal of love memories can strengthen a connection. Hiding mini love notes around the house or cooking together using romantic herbs like jasmine can bring couples closer. Recreating first dates or reliving shared memories can spark nostalgia.
Everyone gives and receives love differently, so use this month to lean into your partner's love language. Acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, and receiving gifts are the five love languages. This month is a perfect opportunity to focus on meaningful, intentional acts that express love and commitment.
Romance Awareness Month can also be a time for self-love or platonic appreciation. Gifting a plant adds a layer of commitment and care, as plants require tending and symbolize shared growth and mutual support. Incorporating plants into shared living space can transform the environment into a co-created sanctuary.
In conclusion, Romance Awareness Month is a reminder to keep the romance alive throughout the year. It encourages us to focus on meaningful, intentional acts that express love and commitment, whether it's towards a partner, oneself, or a friend. So, let's celebrate this month by making every day a day to express our love in intentional, thoughtful ways.
