I'm not what you might call sexy, but I'm romantic. Let's put it

“I’m not what you might call sexy, but I’m romantic. Let’s put it that way.” Thus spoke Betty White, with her timeless blend of humility and humor. Her words are light on the surface, yet beneath them lies a profound wisdom about the nature of love, beauty, and human worth. For in a world so often entranced by the glitter of the sexy, she reminds us of the deeper power of the romantic—a power that endures long after youth fades and appearances change.

The ancients, too, made this distinction. Aphrodite, goddess of beauty, embodied allure, passion, and desire, drawing mortals and gods alike into her embrace. Yet Eros, and even more so Agape, spoke to another dimension of love: the devotion, tenderness, and selflessness that binds souls together. To be sexy may capture the eye, but to be romantic captures the heart, weaving a bond that time itself cannot undo. Betty White, through her words, aligns herself with this eternal truth—that the greatest strength lies not in surface attraction, but in enduring affection.

History offers us countless examples. Consider Abélard and Héloïse, whose love was not founded on mere desire but on letters, intellect, and enduring devotion even after tragedy separated them. Their passion was not confined to bodies but extended into minds and souls, proving that romance is stronger and more lasting than fleeting beauty. Though they suffered, their words still speak across centuries, a testimony that the romantic outlives the sensual.

Betty White herself embodied this truth through her life. Known for wit, kindness, and warmth, she was admired less for glamour than for the romantic spirit she carried into her relationships, her friendships, and her art. By admitting she was “not sexy,” she does not diminish herself but elevates the deeper essence of love—that love is not measured in admiration of the body alone, but in the tenderness of the heart, the ability to make another feel cherished.

Her words also remind us of the fleeting nature of physical beauty. To chase only the sexy is to chase shadows, for time is merciless in this regard. But to nurture the romantic is to cultivate something eternal. The one who loves with romance leaves a mark on hearts and memories, a fragrance that lingers even when the body is gone. This is why the ancients revered not only Aphrodite but also the quiet devotion of Penelope, who waited for Odysseus, embodying love that endures through absence, trial, and time.

The lesson is clear: do not measure yourself by the standards of sex appeal that the world idolizes. Instead, cultivate romance in your life. Be tender, be thoughtful, speak words that uplift, create moments of joy, and hold dear those you love. A romantic spirit outshines the fleeting glow of youth, for it brings warmth not only to lovers, but to friends, to families, to all who cross your path.

Therefore, beloved seeker, let Betty White’s wisdom guide you: do not despair if you are not “sexy” by the world’s shallow gaze. Instead, embrace the romantic, for in it lies the truest power of love. Be the one whose presence comforts, whose laughter uplifts, whose devotion endures. For passion fades, but romance—rooted in care, kindness, and joy—burns long after the first fire of desire has dimmed, becoming a light that shines through the twilight of life itself.