I think a nice romantic dinner should be saved for when you and

In the thoughtful and tender words of Ben Savage, we are reminded of a truth often lost in the noise of modern affection: “I think a nice romantic dinner should be saved for when you and the girl you’re dating or seeing have something special, and it’s a more special occasion.” Though these words are simple, they carry the weight of wisdom — a call to preserve meaning in a world that too easily makes the sacred ordinary. Savage speaks to the heart’s need for intentionality, the idea that love should not be scattered like dust across every encounter, but offered with reverence when the bond between two souls has deepened and matured.

To the ancients, love was not merely a feeling but an act of devotion, a sacred rhythm guided by patience and discernment. Savage’s insight follows this lineage — he reminds us that gestures of romance, to be true, must flow from sincerity, not performance. A “romantic dinner,” in his words, is not merely about candlelight or fine food, but about significance — the acknowledgment that something between two people has grown beyond the casual and now deserves to be honored. Just as a temple is not built for a passing traveler, so too should moments of beauty in love be reserved for when the foundation is strong enough to hold them.

In our modern age, where affection is often displayed in haste and emotion is consumed like entertainment, Savage’s wisdom calls us back to moderation and mindfulness. He reminds us that when everything is made grand, nothing feels sacred. The Greeks spoke of Eros — the passionate love that ignites — and Agape — the selfless love that endures. Between them lies the journey of maturity, where excitement is refined into commitment. By saving gestures of depth for the moments that truly warrant them, one teaches the heart to value, to wait, to cherish. The special occasion, then, becomes more than an event — it becomes a symbol of love’s growth.

Consider the story of Penelope and Odysseus, from the ancient Greek epics. For twenty years, they were separated by war and fate, and yet Penelope waited, her heart steadfast as she wove and unwove her loom. When Odysseus returned, their reunion was not lavish with banquets or spectacle; it was simple, sacred, and private — an intimate exchange of recognition and faith fulfilled. It was not the abundance of gifts but the depth of meaning that made their union divine. In this, we see Savage’s truth reflected: that what is held back with care gains value, and what is freely given to all loses its light.

The origin of this quote lies not in grand philosophy, but in the humble observation of human nature. Ben Savage, known for portraying youthful innocence and emotional wisdom in his art, speaks here from an understanding of how genuine relationships unfold. His insight reminds us that love matures through timing — that too much, too soon, often burns out what could have endured. A romantic dinner, like any act of love, should be a celebration of what already exists, not an attempt to manufacture feeling where it has not yet taken root. Thus, his words are not merely about dating, but about living truthfully and authentically in all acts of connection.

His message, when read deeply, is also one of respect. To reserve something beautiful for the right time is to honor both oneself and the other person. It is to recognize that love, like a seed, must first be planted and tended before it blooms. The ancients would have called this temperance, one of the cardinal virtues — the ability to hold back, to wait, to give meaning to one’s actions through restraint. The one who rushes toward grandeur in love often seeks validation, but the one who waits seeks truth.

Let this be the lesson: love is made sacred by intention, not by display. The quiet dinner shared after months of growth means far more than a thousand hurried gestures. To make every moment special is to make none of them meaningful; to save the sacred for the deserving is to teach the heart reverence. The wise lover does not waste fire on every spark — he tends it, guards it, and lights it when the night is darkest, so that its warmth may be felt most deeply.

Action to take: in all your relationships, seek to give with awareness. Let your words, your gestures, and your gifts reflect the truth of where you are, not the illusion of where you wish to be. Save your finest offerings for moments that have earned them, and they will shine brighter for it. For as Ben Savage teaches, romance is not about grandeur, but about timing and truth — and the love that waits to be worthy of its own beauty will never fade, but only grow stronger with every passing season.