“I would rather spend one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien

We may not all be able to express the epic romance of an elf giving up their immortality to spend their life with the one they love, but there are certainly countless ways to let our special interest know how deeply we care for them.

Personally, this month is particularly special for me. February 2nd, 2021 marks ten years since I started dating my wife. My Valentine’s Day with her all those years ago was the first I had spent with someone else. I remember my nervous, awkward self taking her to a mediocre restaurant that we never went back to. I was quiet and terrible at talking to girls, so she artfully broke the ice by throwing salt and pepper into my drink. The rest of the evening was spent with us just throwing condiments in each others’ drinks, and it was then that I knew it was true love.

Our very own Captain Cork also had his first baby this month on February 5th, so that’s exciting! Congratulations, Captain!

Love is arguably the most powerful and evocative possession we have as human beings and there is absolutely every reason to celebrate it, regardless of how gimmicky Valentine’s Day can be. Love is the key driving force behind some of the biggest decisions we make in our entire lives. Love can build us up, make us stronger, and inspire us to become and achieve things we never would have otherwise dreamed of. It can also destroy us and break us down in a heartbeat, revealing to us our innermost demons and flaws.

For many, love is the focal point of their life. My wife is my world – my muse and my drive. My main purpose in life is to serve, provide for, and take care of her. While most people may not be this dramatic and intense with their love, it is important to remember that love is a profound endeavor; and while it is something that takes many forms and buds and grows and goes through countless stages, it is a disservice to yourself and your love interest to give anything less than your full attention and effort to your relationship. That doesn’t mean sacrificing your individuality, as it’s healthy to respect each other’s independence, but you should always be fully engaged in your relationship. And as with all things in life, the more you put into love, the more you will get out of it.

With that, it’s vital to express your love and show the one you care about how you feel. There are many traditional ways to do this – give gifts, go on dates, celebrate anniversaries. But the little day-to-day actions play just as big of a role as the special occasion activities do. Make sure you listen to your love’s troubles and interests; do a chore for them that they hate; go out of your way to get them their favorite snack; nothing is trivial. There are endless opportunities to show your love and care for your partner every day – it’s amazing how far genuine acts of selfless service can go.

With all of that being said, one way to show your love is to share your favorite drink or smoke with your loved one – or to partake in their favorites with them. It may be unconventional, but even tobacco has a place for romance in my heart, as I remember growing up and seeing my parents occasionally smoking cigars together on clear autumn nights as they gazed at the stars. I also received my first real tobacco pipe as a Valentine’s Day gift from my wife eight years ago, which I still use today.

This month we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special wine recommendation from Captain Cork for your perfect date! If you don’t have a date this year, feel free to browse our bourbon reviews and pick one out for a nice, quiet evening by yourself.

We’re going to keep plugging away with fresh content, so keep an eye out for new articles every week!

Love as hard as your drink!