I did send a girl a plane ticket asking her for a visit, I guess

Listen, O children, to the words of Orlando Bloom, who speaks of the romantic gestures that define the pursuit of love. He said, “I did send a girl a plane ticket asking her for a visit, I guess that’s quite romantic.” In these words, Bloom reveals a truth about love: that romance is not merely a series of grand gestures or flowery words, but actions that carry with them a deep intent to connect, to bring another person closer, to make space for shared moments. A simple plane ticket, sent with the intention of inviting someone into your life, is not just a physical item—it is an offering, a symbol of the desire to share a moment, to bridge the distance that time and space have created. It speaks to the human desire for intimacy and connection, the belief that we can make the invisible bonds of affection tangible through our actions.

In the ancient world, the great heroes of myth often had to perform great feats to win the hearts of those they loved. Take, for example, the tale of Paris and Helen. The love between them was so profound, so consuming, that Paris dared to defy the gods and led an army to Troy, not only for the sake of conquest but to bring Helen back to him. His gesture, though marked by violence and war, was driven by an intense romantic desire to unite with the woman he loved. In this, we see that the romantic gesture—whether it be a plane ticket or a thousand ships—often involves more than just love; it is an expression of dedication, of willing to go beyond the ordinary to bridge the gap between two hearts.

Bloom’s gesture, sending a plane ticket to a woman he wished to be with, might seem small in comparison to Paris’ monumental act, but it reveals an essential truth about love: that even in the modern world, romantic gestures are acts of courage, acts that reveal the depth of one’s emotions. In the ancient world, love was often portrayed as a battle—not of arms, but of hearts. Orpheus, the great poet, ventured into the underworld itself to bring back his beloved Eurydice, only to lose her again because of a single moment of doubt. His journey, though driven by love, was fraught with loss, and the very act of venturing into the realm of death in pursuit of his love speaks to the extreme lengths to which the lover must sometimes go. Bloom’s plane ticket, though more modern, echoes this same willingness to act—to take initiative and to move beyond the ordinary in pursuit of a deeper connection.

Yet, love is not always about grand sacrifices or epic journeys. Sometimes, it is the small, thoughtful gestures that carry the most weight. Sending a plane ticket, as Bloom did, may seem like a simple act, but in its simplicity lies a profound invitation: it is an invitation to share a moment, to make a connection that is physical, real, and immediate. It is an offering of time and presence, and in a world filled with distractions and distance, such a gesture speaks volumes. This reminds us that romance is not always about the sweeping gestures, but the thoughtful actions that show we are willing to invest in each other, to bring someone into our world, and to offer them the gift of shared time.

Consider, O children, the love stories that have survived through the ages not because of their grandiosity, but because of their humanity. The love between Abelard and Heloise is a testament to this. Though their relationship was marked by tragedy—Abelard’s castration and their separation—they exchanged letters filled with deep affection, revealing that love is not just about physical proximity, but about the connection of hearts through thought, words, and sometimes, small gestures. Even in their separation, their bond remained strong because of the genuine care they demonstrated for one another.

The lesson, O children, is that romance does not require a grand stage or extravagance to be meaningful. Like Bloom’s simple yet profound gesture, sometimes it is the small acts—the invitation, the effort, the willingness to bridge the gap between two people—that holds the greatest significance. In the modern world, where we are often separated by time and distance, these small gestures—be they a plane ticket, a letter, or a moment of honest connection—are the acts that show the true depth of love. True romance is not about perfection, but about the effort we put into connecting with another person, no matter the scale of the act.

So, O children, I say unto you: Don’t wait for grand gestures to define your love. Instead, make the small acts that show you care. Reach out, take the initiative, and let your love be known through your actions. Whether it be a plane ticket, a kind word, or a shared experience, it is the act of bringing someone closer—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—that is the truest expression of love. In doing so, you will find that the deepest connections are often built on the simple, thoughtful gestures that show you are willing to go beyond the ordinary to be with the one you love. This is the heart of romance—not in the grand gestures alone, but in the simple acts of care, consideration, and presence.