I am of multiple opinions of the holiday. It is an over commercialized holiday for predominantly men to spend money on their partner. True. The best relationship is one you celebrate every day, true. Those that choose not to celebrate, I absolutely get it. But also, something done every day can become a bit stale and old hat. And the holiday doesnt haven’t to be celebrated with overpriced flowers and dinner. For me it is an opportunity to do something, anything, a little special and different to show someone you love them. Doesnt have to be expensive or elaborate. In fact, in relationships, the little things are important to me. Maybe I always pick the movie we watch, let’s watch one she wants, or her favorite one. Maybe she is typically the one to cook, so tonight I cook. Maybe she loves to go through a walk through some park and I always have to be persuaded, today I’ll suggest it. It’s a nice opportunity to do something a little extra for someone you love. And save buying flowers til next month.

I absolutely love Demolition Man. I’m still waiting for the 3 seashells.

@David Zandar Thank you! Yes, lots of turmoil there, and I am of the belief based on what I'm seeing that it will get much worse over the next year or two before it gets better. My hope that the good gentlemen of the world can rebuild something better very soon.

Longer answer. Here we go. Interests and hobbies include: Travel: though I have admittedly done little outside of the US, that will certainly change very soon. Im interested in meeting and learning new people, places and cultures. Top 2 bucket list items are climbing mount Kilimanjaro and doing the Camino de Santiago, the latter of which I am hoping to do this year. Movies: I am a big movie buff. For me, they are not just entertainment but a way for me to live many lives and learn many lessons I may never have gotten the chance. My personal favorite for gentlemen is certainly the Kingsman series. Games: Cards, dice, board, video, I enjoy all kinds. Whether it's Bond movies or old westerns, poker seems to be the game of gentlemen. Many years ago I would host weekly poker games at my house, but sadly it's been quite a while. Profession: As mentioned previously I have been a massage therapist for 20 years. Being a male massage therapist has been challenging. Present company excluded of course, many men are not gentlemen. That is true for many clients I see, as well as many male massage therapists I've met. This has heightened my awareness and responsibility at being the best gentleman I can be with clients. It is the utmost importance that all clients feel safe and that I am a professional. I have taught massage at a university, as well as various things throughout my career, and am looking to transition into a more teaching-focused phase soon, including hosting retreats and teaching stress management techniques. Spirituality: I am on a spiritual journey, there is nothing more important than that to me. I consider myself the cliché: spiritual but not religious. This work/journey and what it is to be a gentleman, for me, are nearly one and the same. My responsibility is how I act and react, no more or less. Removing ungentlemanly reactions becomes a lifelong job, as is learning to polish the best actions/reactions. Let me end on a very personal story. I was born and raised in Wisconsin. The midwest is notorious for being friendly, and this is true but for people you don't know. What is also true is that often showing love to a friend or family member is showing them disrespect. I am all about giving a friend some shit out of fun, granted it is balanced with love and respect, but believe me when I say that being rude is an Olympic sport where I come from. I have my theories in all that, but here is a story. I'm probably 5-6 years old and my father has remarried, with that I get four stepbrothers, most of whom were not good human beings. I was the youngest, and being quiet and polite, also an easy target. They would be rude and pick on me, and my father and stepmother's response to witnessing it, was to advise me to "give it back to them." I didn't. It always confused me that instead of correcting their bad behavior, I was asked by my parents to have bad behavior as well. It was not until my mid-late 20s until I met a person in authority that I respected. I learned at a young age not respect someone because they are older, but respect someone because of who they are. Kind, thoughtful and considerate are characteristics that I strive for, despite my upbringing. In fact, such qualities, when and where I come from, people thinking you are gay (which I am not), including friends and family.