Maybe I'm naively romantic, but I do believe that spice and

In the words of Stana Katic, “Maybe I’m naively romantic, but I do believe that spice and excitement doesn’t stop once a couple gets together.” These words may sound light and tender, yet they strike at the very heart of human longing. For too often the world whispers that passion fades with time, that once love is secured it grows dull, worn thin by familiarity. Yet here we are reminded of a deeper truth: that true romantic love is not a flame that burns bright and dies, but a fire that, if tended, grows ever stronger, casting new warmth with each passing season.

The ancients understood that love was not a passive gift, but a living force requiring care and renewal. In the songs of Solomon, we read of lovers who did not cease their pursuit after union, but spoke to one another with longing, as if every day were the first. This is the essence of spice and excitement—not reckless novelty, but the courage to see the beloved anew, to court them again and again, even after vows have been spoken and years have passed. It is not naivety to believe this; it is wisdom disguised in hope.

History gives us examples of couples who kept this truth alive. Consider Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-king, and his empress Faustina. Though surrounded by the weight of empire and the storms of war, he still wrote of her with affection, praising her loyalty and her laughter. Their marriage was not without trials, yet he never ceased to seek her companionship as something precious. Here we see that romantic devotion can endure when it is nurtured deliberately, when love is treated not as an achievement finished, but as a journey unfolding.

Why, then, do so many believe that passion fades? Because they forget that love, like any living thing, withers if neglected. A plant starved of water turns brittle; a hearth abandoned grows cold. So too, in a union, if there are no gestures of spice, no moments of surprise or pursuit, the bond may settle into dull routine. It is not the nature of love to fade—it is the neglect of love that causes its embers to dim. Stana Katic calls herself “naively romantic,” but perhaps it is the world that has grown too cynical to remember the truth.

The lesson is plain: do not abandon the art of wooing once union is secured. Continue to weave moments of wonder into the life you share. Speak words of admiration even when they are no longer required. Plan small surprises, give thoughtful gifts, share in laughter, and refuse to let habit bury passion. For excitement is not a gift that falls from the heavens—it is a creation, shaped daily by those who choose to keep love alive.

And what should you do? Each day, make one act that rekindles the fire. Write a note, prepare a favorite meal, or simply take your beloved by the hand and look into their eyes as though seeing them for the first time. Refuse to believe that romance is only for beginnings. Let your life prove that spice and excitement can grow richer with time, deepened by memory and strengthened by trust. This is not naive—it is the highest form of wisdom, to treat love as an eternal courtship.

Thus, remember: love is not a flame to be watched idly, but a fire to be tended with joy. To those who say passion dies, answer with your life, showing that it can endure, transform, and shine brighter than the first spark. Be bold in affection, be faithful in devotion, and let your union be both shelter and adventure. In this way, you honor the teaching of the ages: that true romantic love is not fleeting—it is eternal, if only you have the courage to tend its fire.