Many silvers are caught off guard when asked about the influence of romance in their lives.
Many are adamant it doesn’t exist as you get older, for various reasons.
Too comfortable with one’s life partner. Already had children. Too many instances where hearts have been broken.
Does romance still play an important part in our later years?
We asked some silvers for their thoughts.
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Romance is being able to say “love glorious love” after half a century.
Dr Kirpal Singh, poet
Senior citizens in Singapore are predominantly conservative when it comes to romance in our silver years. Romance in our 60s for my wife and me has been reduced to little nuggets of care or playful bliss in private. My wife is the only one who still laughs at recycled jokes from our courting days. Perhaps, ours is a really pathetic case among seniors. Or perhaps, it's as common as the next silver couple. Definitely, I know it's better than couples who have divorced, separated or who are in a toxic relationship. As I age, I've learnt to accept the small blissful moments that still come along as a personification of romance
Terence Lim, retiree
Romance to me means having the special someone to be with in both good and bad times. Most importantly it need loads of patience, tolerance and good listening skills (I suck at this!).
Joy Wan, communications manager
Romance is doing things together – because happiness is simple.
Amy Sim, administrator
It is highly overrated. It’s just nature’s way of getting us to procreate.
What’s important is how comfortable we are with our significant other, how we can trust them more than we can trust others. How our significant others are truly our best friends.
When the libido wanes as we age, it’s this trust, fondness and being able to be with this person on a regular basis for many hours in a day that will count.
Jeremy Monteiro, musician
Romance is consistently topping up your partner's love tank, loving life together, having a good laugh and creating sweet memories together. It is taking the effort to know his love language, voicing appreciation and praises, encouraging, lend a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on; sorrows shared are halved and joy shared doubled. The sweet assurance of not having to walk alone, that he is with me and always for me.
Margaret Koh, bank officer
I am the most anti-Valentine's Day person around!
Meena Mylvaganam, editor