It being February, it's time for Valentine's! What the world needs now is Love, Sweet Love! Humm... remember that song from 1965? With all the negativity out there, a little visit from Cupid might be the pick-me-up you need!
What's your favorite Valentine's tradition or gift? Maybe a heart-shaped box full of candy? A dozen roses? Or perhaps a romantic dinner by candlelight? No matter if it's your current spouse, dear friend, or maybe a phone call with that long lost love of your youth, who will you pick to be your main squeeze this Valentine's Day?
The Most Romantic Proposal I Ever Witnessed
Many years ago, while attending university, the music department annually raised money by selling singing Valentines. A trio or quartet of singers would show up at your loved one's office or home with a single red rose. Then burst out a rousing four-part harmony rendition of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" or another song of the sender's choice.
I remember one amusing visit to an office building with dozens of administrative staff, primarily women. The sender was a boyfriend who picked a song and required us to be at the office singing at a specific time to his girlfriend. We didn't realize it, but he had an additional surprise for her. A security person escorted us to the woman; we handed her a rose and burst into song. The next thing we knew, her boyfriend appeared in a white diaper, a curly wig, a bow and arrow, and little wings pasted on his back! It was Cupid himself! As we finished the song, the romantic Cupid got down on one knee, pulled out a ring box, and proposed! The girlfriend screamed, "Yes, yes, yes"! All the ladies around us burst into ooohs and ahhhs and applause for the couple. (I even think a few of them were a little jealous.) It was certainly the most entertaining and romantic Valentine's I'd ever seen with the Trio!
You don't need wings or a bow and arrow for your Valentine but do find your special person and tell them how much they are loved...by you!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about that unforgettable proposal reminds me of something important we sometimes forget in retirement planning: the people we love are our biggest motivation for getting our financial house in order. Most couples I work with tell me they want to make sure their spouse is taken care of, no matter what happens first.
If you're married and over 65, here's something worth discussing this Valentine's season: Social Security survivor benefits and how they work with your Medicare coverage. When one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse keeps the higher of the two Social Security benefits but loses the smaller one. That can mean a significant drop in monthly income right when grief makes everything harder. The good news is there are strategies we can put in place now, like maximizing the higher earner's benefit by delaying until age 70, that can make a real difference for whoever survives.
Love means planning ahead together, and that planning can be one of the most caring gifts you give each other.