When the question was thrown out, I was at a lost for words. Usually, I had a lot to say about anything at all and was seldom caught speechless. But that time, it was one of those awkward moments where I had to work my brain to crack something out. At the back of my head, I knew that my reputation for being recognized as the girl with many ideas, suggestions, words, opinions etc was at stake and was soon to be jeopardized.
And so, like every one else (while searching for an answer in my head), I sat there and listened to the others. My turn was the last (Thank goodness! At least, there was more time for me to think of the answer). Each person's answer must be different from the others (Oh darn! That meant no "copy-and-paste". Now, that's difficult!).
One of us mentioned that the most romantic thing a couple can do was to lie flat with your backs against the ground and admire the stars in the sky above at night. I thought, "Why didn't I think of that? That's romantic!" Another said, cuddling in each other's arms and talking to each other while listening to some soft music in the background. I thought, "Darn! I want that answer too!" The next said, going on a holiday together on a cruise or a beach holiday. And I thought, "Awww... holidays are always romantic, getting lost somewhere in the world together where no one knows you. I wish it was my turn to say this first!"
At last, it was my turn. I still had no answer. Everyone looked at me with so much intensity and anticipation, I thought I was going to suffer a heart attack. I opened my mouth and mumbled something. I was still thinking and all of a sudden, like a miracle, the answer just popped into my head (Oh how I sometimes love spontaneity!). As I spoke forth, I was convinced about the words that poured out of my mouth. And even up to today, I still believe this.
"I think the most romantic thing a couple can do is to grow old together. There's nothing more romantic than to live every moment in life together, age, grey and wrinkle together because every second of it is a memory that should be treasured and cherished and frozen in time as it only happens once in a lifetime. Growing old together is a series of life experiences a couple goes through, exclusive and special only to that particular couple; no one else would be able to share the same. Imagine, one day, both of you sitting on the front porch of your house you had both lived in for the past 4 decades, watching your own kids all grown up and your grandkids playing in the front yard. Both of you turned and smiled to each other, acknowledging the common satisfaction and pride that you both had fathered and mothered all of these throughout your lifetime together. One just cannot do without the other. Sometimes, it moves and stirs me inside to watch an old couple, walking side by side along the pedestrian walkway and still holding hands even at this age! They look and talk to each other with so much intensity and love that I am sometimes embarrassed to think that intense love and relationships only belong to the people my age. They had proven me wrong. I am ashamed to think and professed that I had loved my the other-half enough. What is my love for my the other-half as compared to the love intensity the old couple shared after so many years being together and still going strong? Love takes years to nurture; not every couple can succeed. Therefore, to me, growing old together is the most romantic thing a couple can do..."
And yes indeed, my reputation was saved. But more importantly, I learned something very heart-warming that evening.
