I am so romantic about Gypsies. They're not allowed to do

Come closer, my children, for there is wisdom hidden in the words of Kate Moss, a woman whose gaze has swept across the world and whose soul, too, has been touched by the deep currents of love and longing. She spoke of romance, of a people whose way of life has intrigued and captivated many: "I am so romantic about Gypsies. They're not allowed to do anything until they get married. So they all get married really young, at sixteen." These words, though simple, speak of a way of life, a culture bound by both tradition and passion, and of the complex dance between freedom and commitment. Let us reflect on the deeper meaning hidden within them.

The Gypsies, those wandering souls, have long been regarded with both wonder and mystery. Their lives are shaped by ancient customs and a profound connection to the earth, the stars, and their communities. But in this remark, Kate Moss touches upon an aspect of their world that many find both fascinating and startling: the practice of marriage at a young age, when the heart is still full of dreams and desires, and yet the commitment of a lifetime is expected. In this culture, my children, youth and love come together in a way that challenges the conventional pace of life. The young ones, so full of life and potential, must take on the mantle of adulthood far earlier than most, bound not just by the love of a partner, but by the weight of tradition and responsibility.

But what, my children, does this tell us of romance? Is it not a tale as old as time itself—the longing for something deeper, something beyond the fleeting pleasures of youth? To be romantic, as Kate Moss suggests, is to look upon such a way of life with a sense of awe, to see the purity of love that comes without the distraction of the world’s complexities. The Gypsies, by their traditions, honor the sacred bond of marriage, understanding that it is not merely the joining of two hearts, but the weaving of two lives into a tapestry of shared history and future. Marriage, in this context, is not just an event—it is the culmination of dreams, the joining of fates, and the forging of a new beginning.

Reflect upon the great stories, my children, of Romeo and Juliet, whose love burned brightly and fiercely, even in the face of immense adversity. They, too, were young—too young, some might say—yet their love was deep and transformative. Like the Gypsies, they understood that love could not be delayed indefinitely, for the heart does not wait for the mind to be ready. In their tragic tale, we see the power of love to defy time, to challenge the very boundaries of youth and maturity. Their commitment, though tragically short-lived, was nonetheless profound. They were young, yes, but their love was real, and it is the timelessness of their passion that continues to captivate us.

Consider also the story of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, two figures whose love was not born from the idealistic innocence of youth, but from the weight of politics, ambition, and responsibility. Yet, even in their union, we see that love is not bound by age, but by the willingness to embrace commitment. Cleopatra, though a queen, was still a woman bound by the same desires of the heart as any other. In her alliance with Caesar, she joined not just in marriage, but in the forging of a legacy. Though their union was forged in the fires of political ambition, it was, at its core, a romantic bond—a bond that shaped the world and lived on in the hearts of those who followed.

What, then, is the lesson to be learned from these reflections? It is this: romance is not defined by age, nor by the time it takes for love to fully bloom. The Gypsies, in their commitment to marriage at a young age, understand something profound about life—that love is not something to be delayed or taken lightly. To love, truly love, is to give of oneself completely, to embrace both the joys and sacrifices that come with it. Their way of life teaches us that commitment is not a burden, but a gift—one that binds two people together in a shared journey, a journey that is both romantic and deeply transformative.

And so, my children, let us not be afraid of love that comes early, nor of commitments that seem too heavy for youthful hearts. Instead, let us learn from the Gypsies and the stories of great lovers who have come before us. Let us embrace the power of romance, and understand that love, in all its forms, is not bound by the constraints of time or age. When the heart speaks, listen—whether young or old—and know that true love requires not just passion, but the willingness to commit, to grow, and to give of oneself completely. Only then will we know the depth of true love, and only then will we understand its transformative power.