Roe Valentine | The Little Things and Grand Gestures

They say it’s the small things, and I totally agree. Little gestures to profess something larger is enough to bring tears to my eyes. My favorite gesture was when a very nice man carried me over a muddy puddle so I wouldn’t ruin my shoes. I don’t think I can possibly forget something that sweet (and I really love those shoes)!

As romance readers, we expect those gestures from our heroes. He must show the heroine in a subtle—or not-so-subtle—way that she is important to him. Her happiness is his happiness. Her pleasure is his pleasure. Even if he gets him nowhere with her, it’s unconditional. In LEFT TO FOREVER, the hero Jacob makes a series of gestures, but one of them was catalytic to the heroine’s self-progression. Isn’t that what’s wonderful about little things and grand gestures? They breathe life intp us—tiny puffs and large ones. They change us. Make us see in different light.

So now, I want to share with you two of my favorite grand gestures:

1 – On Frasier when Niles finally tells Mel in front of their very snobby and judgmental social circle that he loves Daphne. To me that was so pivotal for them because Niles was black-mailed into living a sham, and Daphne wondered if she would be good enough for Niles and his society friends. When he announced to the world he loves Daphne, those fears vanished. And they could finally be together.

2 – On Pretty in Pink when Blane shows up to the prom without a date and stands up to his popular friend for liking the outcast Andie. Then when he sees Andie, he immediately goes to her and professes his love to her. “You told me you couldn’t believe in somebody who didn’t believe in you. I always believed in you…I just didn’t believe in me.” Ahhh, I swoon just thinking of it!

About LEFT TO FOREVER

Realist Dr. Carla Harris believes that people create their own fate through hard work and careful planning. She believes in playing things safe. But, while preparing for her upcoming nuptials, she’s forced to confront the most reckless thing she’s ever done…her estranged husband, Jacob.

Idealist Jacob Moreau believes in soul mates as much as he believes in saving endangered companies. When his long lost wife reenters his life seeking a divorce, he is convinced more than ever they are meant to be together. And he will do—and lose—anything to have her again.

She thought she had her life planned to perfection. He thought they made perfect sense together.

Would marrying Jacob be the craziest thing she’s ever done, or divorcing him?