Experts, couples say romance doesn’t need grand gestures

Doing something romantic for Valentine's Day does not need to involve a heart-shaped box of chocolates, roses, or an atypically expensive dinner, according to relationship experts.

- By CHEYANNE MUMPHREY Associated Press

In fact, therapists encourage couples craving intimacy and a deeper connection to focus less on grand gestures and more on expressing love with mundane acts that recognize what matters to their partner.

Romanceis not one size fits all. For some people, it means holding hands, opening a car door, or drawing a bath for their lover. Others respond to receiving a hilarious text, coffee in bed, or an offer to run anagging errand. Either way, demonstrating kindness and care in small ways over time helps to support relationships as they evolve, says Traci Lee, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Dallas.

“The more that early on, you as a couple are able to establish good habits of whatever romance is going to look like for you, the better it is,” Lee said.

Couples counselors and people in relationships share ideas for showing a romantic partner love throughout the year:

Early in a relationship, it doesn’t take much to show romantic intentions, but that changes as couples learn more about each other as individuals, discover what their partner needs for emotional and physical wellbeing, and experience life together.