If Understated is where I live, Romantic is where I’d like to end up. I admire people who can say exactly what they feel, in full sentences, and not get awkward about it. I’m not one of them yet. Left on my own, I top out at “I love you.”
It sounds like this:
“You make me want to be the person you already think I am.”
“There’s no version of my life I’d want more than this one, with you.”
“I fall a little more in love with you every single day.”
Romantic is for the people who already talk this way, and for the rest of us who feel this much and would like to learn how to say it. Understated is a single long-stemmed rose. Romantic is the whole bouquet.
One word of caution: if this isn’t how you normally talk, expect a reaction. Some of the first people to try Romantic sent one with no warning. The replies they got back?
“Are you drunk?”
“Who bodysnatched you?”
“Was that supposed to go to your GF?”
The messages weren’t bad. They were unexpected. So you have two options. Give a heads up first, something as simple as “I’m trying to say this stuff more.” Or skip the warning and enjoy the confusion. Either way, don’t take the raised eyebrow personally.
I built this tone for the people who are already fluent, and for those of us still working up to it. If you’re in the second group, try it out! It may feel a little cringe at first, but the more you try it, the more natural it will feel.
Part 3 of 6 in the tones series. Missed the last one? Read Understated. Next up: Flirt.
Most of the images on this blog, including this one, are AI-generated rather than staged photography.