Love and Romance at Our Age?

What does love and romance look like when we are older? How does it change over time? What are the hurdles to overcome? The month of February brings Valentine’s Day and a highly romantic notion of love with it. As two older couples who have collectively been married for 96 years, we talk about how love has grown and changed over those years. Citing respect, companionship and a deep understanding of the other person, love becomes broader in perspective and more subtle in its demonstration. Finding ways to keep the balance in the face of health issues and adapting to physical changes is one aspect of love, while maintaining a sense of humour in the face of all changes is another. It doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges, there are many, but asking the question, “What is going on?” helps us to get to the underlying irritants, as does taking a time out from each other now and again. We need a community to help us grow older in love as a couple and engaging others along our journey helps us to gain perspective and feel supported.