Welcome to today's edition of The Good – wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day. Love, in all its forms, is the force that steadies us, shapes us, and reminds us what truly matters.
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Pamela Walters, 85, and Colin Hopper, 73, met four years ago at their U.K. care home in Wales, and it was love at first sight. After a year of daily visits, laughter, and companionship, Pamela proposed to Colin in her bedroom and he promptly asked staff to help him order an engagement ring, according to the BBC.
The couple celebrated with a party organized by their care home staff, and Pamela says she's felt "marvelous" ever since. For Colin, who loves Pamela's honesty and visits her every day, the engagement exemplifies that new beginnings can happen at any stage of life.
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love, remembered
In Buffalo, New York, a nonprofit called Hearts in Bloom delivers free bouquets and small gifts to widows and widowers each Valentine’s Day, offering a moment of recognition on a day that can sometimes feel tough. Founded by Catherine Szabad after experiencing her own personal loss, the effort has grown to include more than 300 volunteers and has reached hundreds of recipients.
Last year alone, 135 gift baskets and bouquets were delivered, each one hand-carried by neighbors who chose to spend their Valentine’s Day showing up for someone else. For many recipients, the flowers are a reminder that grief is seen, love is remembered, and community can soften the harder dates on our calendars.
Love may feel poetic, but science is revealing it as a core biological drive. In Greater Good’s The Science of Love podcast, Geena Davis explores how bonds with parents, partners, friends, and communities shape our brains, bodies, and overall well-being.
Connection influences everything from stress regulation to brain activity and even our gut microbiome. Studies show that friends who share meals can begin to share microbes, lullabies calm infants across cultures, and romantic love can light up the brain with remarkable intensity. It’s a reminder that love is part of how we survive and thrive.
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LOVE IS A VERB
Love doesn’t have to arrive wrapped in roses or tied to a holiday. Mindful reminds us that the most meaningful gestures are often simple: listening with real attention, putting the phone down, and offering full presence when we’re together.
Experts say small, mindful actions can deepen connection in lasting ways. Expressing gratitude for everyday kindnesses and practicing empathy even in hard moments, helps relationships feel steadier and more alive. In a culture that spends billions on grand gestures, it’s grounding to remember that love grows strongest in how we show up for one another.
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ROMANCE, ELEVATED
Zermatt, Switzerland has been named the most romantic destination in the world, according to a new analysis of more than 1.5 million travel reviews. Nearly 99% of couples who reviewed the alpine town gave it four or five stars, earning it top honors, according to Travel + Leisure. It’s an experience that invites couples to slow down and share the wonder together.
Photo by Benis Arapovic, courtesy of Vecteezy: Matterhorn from Zermatt, Switzerland
Set beneath the iconic Matterhorn, Zermatt feels lifted from a storybook. The car-free village is filled with cozy chalets, horse-drawn carriage rides, sweeping glacier views, and even a glacial palace carved into ice. With 38 surrounding peaks, Michelin-starred dining, and year-round adventure from skiing to summer hikes, the magic extends far beyond winter. The romance shows up in fresh mountain air, quiet streets, and a view you both won’t forget.
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