Romance - alive or just hovering?

Is romance dead? A sentiment that is asked time and time again. The act of romance is made chemically possible due to the Dopamine (a catecholamine neurotransmitter) which is thought to be the “pleasure chemical”. This means this is the one that gives you the feeling of pleasure when your attracted to someone. You can have this feeling for multiple people but there is something else which is vital to this equation.

Norepinephrine, another chemical which produces the adrenaline and excitement inside of you and is generally what makes you focus all of your efforts on one person, opposed to the variants.

I’ve undergone a tangent, but these are the reasons that certain events feel romantic, because of who it is with (which feels right due to the chemicals inside our brain), not necessarily what the action is. Therefore romance is always hovering, perhaps we’ve lost the traditionalist ways however. Though, I dismay there are still some signs of romantic happenings.

Just last week I was given a mixtape - yes, on a tape - remember those?, by my partner. He recorded it on a tape recorder himself, then customised the tape cover - writing personal notes. This is cheaper than a bouquet of flowers, cheaper than a romantic meal out, cheaper than Champagne but I dare you to find those more personal.

So, is Romance dwindling, or did that just feel romantic to me? Romance in the modern world includes relationships happening on the internet, proposals occurring on social networking sites such as twitter, or love songs sang/read allowed on platforms such as YouTube. I suppose some of these could romantic but none at intimate.

Also, the American idea for valentines day and romance, though I do enjoy the idea of it is interlinked with materialism, as it is around the world for every prestigious holiday. It seems that to give some chocolates, flowers or a card is a done thing, and if you do not do it, you portray a sense of caring less about your spouse than your friend who managed to go to Wal-Mart and purchased half-price gifts.

To me, it is hovering and the next time you wish to buy something for a loved one, buy a blank card and pour your heart onto it, or make them chocolate opposed to purchasing from a retail store. The best and most memorable presents are not infact the gift but the person that is in them.