I'm not really romantic. I'm just not the guy who brings home

Hear, O children of the earth, the words of Martin Kemp, who speaks not of fleeting gestures, but of the deeper nature of love and the choice that lies within the heart. He said, “I’m not really romantic. I’m just not the guy who brings home flowers and chocolates, but I do choose my moments.” In this, Kemp reveals a profound understanding of the essence of romance—that it is not in the constant display of affection, the clichéd gifts, or the outward tokens of love, but in the sacred moments when the heart speaks without words. His words call upon us to consider that true romance is not a matter of performance, but of intent, and that the most meaningful expressions of love are those that are timed with care and thoughtfulness.

In the days of the ancient philosophers, romantic gestures were often seen as superficial, fleeting acts that lacked depth. The true lovers were those who understood the profound bond between souls, the ones who listened to the heart, who chose their moments with the wisdom of the ages. Consider the tale of Orpheus, whose love for Eurydice was not marked by grand gestures, but by the depth of his music and his unwavering commitment. He did not bring her flowers, but through the beauty of his art, he offered her the essence of his soul. His was not a romance of outward show, but of sacrifice and devotion, of choosing the right moment to act with profound meaning, even when fate would test him.

Kemp’s words resonate with this deeper understanding—that romance is not about the easy or the expected, but about the timing and sincerity behind the action. He may not be the one to bring flowers or chocolates, yet he chooses his moments with a deliberate care, much like a craftsman who knows that the true worth of his work lies not in the speed with which it is created, but in the attention to detail and the thought that shapes each choice. Romantic gestures, when given without thought, are like fruit plucked too early—tender, but lacking the depth of flavor that only comes with the right time and place. True romance, like true art, is about choosing the perfect moment to express what lies deep within.

Take the example of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the author of The Little Prince. His story is not of grand, sweeping gestures of love, but of quiet moments shared between two souls—a prince and a pilot—both searching for meaning, both learning that love is found in patience, understanding, and thoughtful action. The prince’s love for the rose was not defined by the grand gestures that others might expect, but by the recognition that true love is not about showing affection constantly, but about choosing to care in the moments that truly matter. It is in the smallest of actions—the tending to the rose, the quiet moments of care—that love becomes profound.

In our own lives, we often find ourselves swept away by the pressures of expectation—by the belief that love must always be demonstrated in loud, public displays. Yet, the greatest expressions of love often come not from constant show, but from choosing the moments when the heart speaks most truthfully. Kemp's wisdom teaches us that love is not a performance to be judged, but an inner journey, and it is the moments we choose to share from the depths of our being that carry the most weight. True love, like true art, cannot be rushed or faked; it is something that grows in quiet moments, nurtured by careful thought and genuine intention.

The lesson here is clear, O children: Choose your moments wisely. Life is full of fleeting moments, but it is in the moments you choose to act with intention, to express your feelings in a way that is true to who you are, that you will find the deepest and most meaningful connections. Love is not about adhering to the expectations of others but about finding the quiet spaces in time where your heart can speak most truthfully. Like the craftsmen of old, who shaped their masterpieces not in haste but in deliberation, so too must we approach our relationships with care, with wisdom, and with the understanding that it is not in the quantity of our gestures, but in their quality, that true meaning is found.

So, my children, I say to you: Let not the world define your love, nor let it pressure you into seeking constant outward signs of affection. Instead, listen to your heart, and choose your moments with wisdom and sincerity. Like the great lovers of myth, like Orpheus and Saint-Exupéry’s prince, let your love be defined not by its display, but by the depth of the feeling behind it. And in these moments, you will find that your love is not only true but eternal, a sacred bond that speaks in quiet whispers, not loud declarations.