Think romance is dead? Think again. Four people talk to Sandra Aquilina about the most romantic thing anyone ever did for them and the most romantic thing they ever did for anyone.

Romance is everywhere on our TV screens, but much less so in our everyday lives when rush and routine combine to kill it off. Has modern living killed off romance? Or rather, has it consigned it to our monitors?

Charlie Azzopardi

Not yet, according to family therapist Charlie Azzopardi, who is often romantic with his wife. “It is quite normal for me to buy flowers for my wife Marika – which may then become routine rather than romantic – though she still enjoys them when I do. I give her surprises too, like booking a flight to somewhere or planning a quick holiday or weekend break.”

For Charlie, being romantic is not so much about lavish gifts or holidays, however, as focusing on his wife alone and giving her attention.

“I think what’s most romantic is that I often invite her out alone, without other friends. I think my wife appreciates a lot the time I give her. I compliment her about herself, her attire, her personality and other qualities. I can see her eyes full of contentment and love when I do. I am also very physical with her so I tend to hug her and hold her hands while walking and talking. I also look her in the eyes when I talk and when I listen to what she has to say.”

Not that romance needs to be linked to Valentine’s Day

One time, he threw a large surprise birthday lunch for her and invited all her friends. The surprise went well and Marika was moved to tears when she gradually started recognising her friends chorusing “Happy Birthday”.

Marika is also quite romantic, says Charlie. “She gives me surprises too. Not too frequently, but enough to keep me going. Most surprises are candlelit dinners, which I perceive as very romantic.”

But the most romantic gesture was when he was ill and worried about test results. Marika held his hand and, as they were going in, she pressed it gently and said: “Whatever happens I want you to know that I will always be there for you.”

“I still remember the words and I still shed a couple of tears when I say them, as I am doing right now. It was a powerful message, so reassuring and so romantic that all my fears disappeared instantly and I could breathe again.”

Sander Agius

Appearances can be deceiving. Most people might not think of Sander Agius – TV presenter and entertainer – as the romantic type. But Sander actually managed to organise a surprise holiday to Paris, without his girlfriend realising. “I got the ticket, hotel and even managed to pack her clothes without her noticing.”

The main problem was to find the final excuse to get her out of bed at 6am in time for the flight at 8am. “The only excuse I could think of was an early visit to the mechanic. She was annoyed at my mechanic because of the time and, on the day, she even wanted to go to the mechanic wearing pyjamas! Seeing her face when she finally got the surprise tickets was hilarious.”

Despite the lavish surprise, simple things are what do it for Sander. “A nice bottle of wine by the sea, a nice dinner somewhere special, sitting on the sofa watching a movie… My life is so full of materialistic complicated situations that when I get something easy and simple I tend to appreciate it even more.”

Colin Fitz

Not that romance needs to be linked to Valentine’s Day, points out writer and radio presenter Colin Fitz. “Looking back, I used to take Valentine’s Day much more seriously when I was younger.” On one occasion, his new girlfriend was living with her sister and he convinced the sister to lend him her key while his girlfriend was at work.

“I then proceeded to lay a trail of chocolates from the front door of her flat to the bedroom, onto the bed and onto the pillow, where she found flowers, a big card and cuddly bears.” Romantic much?

The radio presenter, who is known for his wit and sense of humour, is a romantic at heart. “There was the time when I whisked a girl off to Gozo for the weekend, staying at our favourite, out-of-the-way hotel, making sure to book a couple’s treatment.”

Another Valentine’s Day he took someone to watch a movie with her favourite actor in it followed by dinner at a Turkish kebab house. “She used to say that she disliked five-star meals but I knew she loved Turkish, so I took a tablecloth, cutlery, glasses and candles and we created our own Valentine’s atmosphere in a take-away’s small eating area. It was quite a sight.”

In his experience, he is usually the one to do the imaginative things. “Not that I mind... I have been surprised by a big bunch of flowers delivered to my workplace and lovely gifts and cards on the day, but I can’t recall anything spectacularly out of the ordinary being organised for me, at least not on Valentine’s Day.”

Norma Saliba

And romance is definitely alive and kicking for TV journalist Norma Saliba. She recalls an occasion when she was abroad with her partner in Brussels, walking through the Grand Place among hundreds of people. “There was a magical atmosphere with people singing and dancing in this landmark square in Brussels. My partner got carried away and he started singing a very popular love song to me. The crowd gathered around us and started cheering and clapping, as if they were his chorus. My partner caught me by surprise and I was blushing, but it was the most original and spontaneous declaration of love I have ever received!”

For Norma, expressing her feelings in writing comes easiest. “On special occasions I prefer to put pen to paper and let my emotions speak through a poem. That’s what I did on the first Valentine’s Day after I gave birth to our son... my partner was so touched that I could see tears dropping from his eyes as he read the lines. It was the most emotional moment of my life.”

Perhaps, after all, not even TV can ever match up to the truth and emotion of real-life romance.