Hello, everyone! As we approach Valentine's Day, I'd like to share some of my favorite English idioms about love and relationships. These expressions reveal not just how we speak, but how we think about connection, vulnerability, and authenticity. I hope you'll find these reflections meaningful. Perhaps you'll recognize some of your own experiences in them.

1. "Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve"

Meaning: To openly show your emotions or feelings, especially love.

When we "wear our hearts on our sleeves," we're being vulnerable and transparent about what we feel. But here's what I've learned: this doesn't mean being open with everyone in the same way.

In my close relationships with family members I deeply care about, I prefer to wear my heart on my sleeve. It creates intimacy and trust. With other relationships, like those with business colleagues, I aim to be open about my ideas while remaining a bit more reserved. There's wisdom in knowing when and with whom to be fully vulnerable. 

2. "Head Over Heels (in Love)"

Meaning: To be completely and deeply in love with someone.

When you're head over heels in love, you want to express that feeling in meaningful ways. For me, one of the most beautiful expressions of being head over heels is preparing a home-cooked meal for someone special. There's something about taking time, care, and creativity to nourish someone you love that captures the essence of deep affection.

This Valentine's Day, I'm planning to do exactly that—to show someone I care about that they're worth my time and effort. It's a simple gesture, but it carries so much meaning.

3. "Love is Blind"

Meaning: When you love someone, you overlook their faults or flaws.

I've definitely experienced this! When we really like and care about someone, it's natural to overlook their imperfections at first. The beauty is that it's also about growth in the case of many relationships. 

As relationships develop, we gradually see more aspects of the person. We see their strengths and their challenges. And if the relationship is genuine, we learn to love them more fully, not less. Watching how relationships progress over time - from that initial "blindness" to deeper understanding - is one of life's very rewarding experiences.

4. "Cupid's Arrow"

Meaning: Sudden, unexpected falling in love (referencing Cupid, the Roman god of love)

Cupid's arrow is often associated with "love at first sight," which is a romantic idea that captures many people's imaginations. In my experience, romance hasn't struck quite so suddenly. Instead, my connections have developed more gradually, which is also beautiful in its own way.

That said, I do believe in intuition. There are moments when you meet someone and have an intuitive feeling about them, and a sense that something special might unfold. Those moments are lovely, even if they don't lead to instant love. They remind us that connection can begin in many ways, and not all of them need to be dramatic to be meaningful.

5. "The Real Deal"

Meaning: Something or someone that is genuine, authentic, and truly special.

I've been fortunate to experience "the real deal" with people in different areas of my life—as friends, as mentors, as loved ones. When you find someone who is genuinely, authentically themselves, it can have a great impact on your life.

On Valentine's Day, my favorite way to express affection to someone who is "the real deal" is through a handwritten note. There's something irreplaceable about putting pen to paper. It shows intention, care, and presence. But beyond Valentine's Day, I want to be "the real deal" for others too. I strive to be authentic as a partner, a friend, and a teacher.

If you'd like to explore more idioms about love, relationships, and human connection, I'd love to invite you to my Idioms Class on Cafetalk! We dive deep into expressions that reveal how language shapes our understanding of the world. 

Whether you're preparing for exams, improving your conversational English, or simply curious about the stories behind the words we use, this class is for you.

In the idioms class, we don't just learn definitions. We explore the cultural context, the history, and the personal experiences that make these expressions come alive. It's a space to practice using idioms naturally in conversation and to share your own stories.

Valentine's Day is about more than romance. It's about celebrating all the meaningful connections in our lives. Whether you're expressing love to a partner or showing appreciation to friends and family, these idioms remind us that vulnerability, authenticity, and genuine connection are expressions of the heart. 

I hope these reflections have connected with you. Feel free to share your own experiences with these idioms in the comments below. 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Happy to discuss these idioms further in class or in your next lesson. See you soon!