It’s 18 September, and we all know what that means! Yes, it’s National First Love Day, a day dedicated to that fizzy, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling of your very first crush. It’s a day to toast those heart-pounding moments that tasted like cotton candy and left you jittery like you’d just chugged a double espresso.
First love is like biting into a perfectly ripe peach; it’s messy, sweet, and impossible to forget. This special day invites us to savour the memory of that one person who made our hearts skip like a record player stuck on a love song.
It’s not just about the person, but all about that special feeling. It’s a day that encourages us to look back on the butterflies, nerves, and firsts associated with our first love. So, let’s serve up some delicious music to accompany the magic of first love.
Gabriel Fauré: Sicilienne, Op. 78
Chasing Butterflies
National First Love Day isn’t about tracking down that long-lost crush, although, let’s be honest, we’ve all stalked an old flame on social media, wondering if they still love pizza as much as they did at 16.
Instead, it’s a day to celebrate the innocence and intensity of those early romantic stirrings. It’s about remembering the way your heart raced like it was training for the Olympics when they waved at you, or was that wave meant for someone else?
So, how do you celebrate National First Love Day? Think of it like throwing a party for your heart, with a menu full of nostalgia and a playlist of cheesy love songs. Start by indulging in some self-reflection, laugh at the bad haircut you had back then, and taste that bittersweet tang of those memories, like biting into a lemon tart.
Francis Poulenc: “Mélancolie”
A Recipe for Romance
Have you noticed that for some reason, I’ve used a lot of food and drink metaphors? It’s because they are perfect for first love, much like a good meal – it’s all about the experience. Maybe your first crush was like discovering your favourite dessert after all.
You didn’t know something could be that good until you tried it, and now every other dessert is just fine. Similarly, first love teaches you what it’s like to feel that spark, that zing, that dizziness that makes you want to write poetry, or at least some really bad song lyrics.
It’s the appetiser that whets your appetite for all the relationships to come, even if some of those turn out to be more like overcooked broccoli than a gourmet feast. If you’re feeling extra festive, why not whip up a dish that reminds you of your first love? Whatever dish or drink it might be, let the memories roll in like waves of warm caramel sauce.
Lili Boulanger: Nocturne for Violin and Piano
A Limited-Time Special
We do have to address the elephant in room, as first loves don’t always end in happily-ever-after. In fact, they rarely do. But that’s what makes first love so special, as it’s like a limited-time menu at your favourite café.
It’s fleeting, intense, and leaves you craving more, even if you know it’s not meant to last. National First Love Day reminds us to cherish the lessons those crushes taught us, like to survive the heartbreak.
Some might still be swooning over their first love, or maybe are even married to them. If so, this is a chance to rekindle that spark. Remind your partner of those early days, or surprise them with a nostalgic date night.
Rebecca Clarke: Morpheus
A Toast to First Love
If you’re single, don’t worry. National First Love Day isn’t just for couples. It’s a day to fall in love with yourself a little bit. Treat yourself to a decadent dessert, or reflect on how far you’ve come since those starry-eyed days.
At any rate, give yourself a pat on the back for surviving the rollercoaster of young love. After all, first love is like the first sip of hot cocoa on a cold day, warm, comforting, and a little bit magical.
Food and drink metaphors aside, National First Love Day is a sweet reminder that no matter how many times we fall in love, the first time will always have a special place in our hearts.
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