Happy Valentine’s Day! This is a perfect time to spend with your aging relatives to listen to their tales of their dating days. Of course, they may have been walking out, courting or keeping company. The phrases we use to describe that wonderful and exciting time spent getting to know one another change over time but the activity has only had one significant change in the last century. That change was, of course, the acceptance of pre-marital intimacy.
Over the years, here in the US, we have spent a great deal of time and effort on romantic love. We write about it, read about it and it is a major theme in movies, plays and books. No wonder we all look for that one special person. Now is the time to take the opportunity to chat with your relative and listen to their stories. Do you know if your parents ever dated other people? Was their marriage arranged? Was it strongly encouraged or undertaken in defiance of their parents?
If your relatives are members of the “Greatest Generation” there are probably stories to be told about how they managed with the upheaval caused by World War II. Having this conversation will open the doors of communication for all sorts of information exchange concerning how well they are managing to stay connected socially. You may also hear something spicy.
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