In keeping it seasonal, I thought what better than a wash up of the thriving Valentine’s Day scene in western Queensland?
Most country blokes are not known for possessing a strong romantic streak. However, hoping to prove this wrong, I spoke to five lads and ladies about their take on the day and here's how it went...
#1 (Young Ringer): "They are just trying to make more money off us. But even if I wanted to be all cute and [stuff], they don’t even have flower places out here, and what? You reckon I could stop choccies melting?"
As much as I would like to, I really can't fault the logic here...
#2 (Young Ringer's other half): "He wasn't even in service. Honestly, I was stoked with a nice message when the wi-fi started working again."
#3 (The Girl Next Door): "It was just another day for us singletons. Should make it a public holiday so we could have at least have some races or something. Sadly no suitors popped out of the mulga to knock down the door.”
#4 (Old Mate): "That’s why I married this one, she doesn't make me to do all that flowery [stuff]."
#5 (Mrs Smith): "My husband is one of the good ones. Every year he wishes me a happy Valentine’s Day...... after a gentle reminder....or ten."
Despite my hopeful ambitions, I wasn’t overrun with Casanovas.
It was a lovely reminder though that not everyone’s idea of a fairy tale is made up of bunches of roses and glittering jewels.
The loves I encountered were undeniably strong, despite the romance looking about as dry as the dirt.
For a lot of us, the most perfect happily ever after isn’t about flashy, expensive, or Hollywood-worthy endings.
It’s romance that comes in the form of “drive safe and let me know when you get there”, or “it’s okay I’ll get this gate, it’s a hard one to open”.
While these moments may not be as Instagram worthy, to me they are even more beautiful.
– Claire Jackson, Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl