Summary of the Fiction Fairies Podcast Episode 10: Whimsical Ways to Celebrate Love (Because Romance Authors Who Don't Love Valentine's Day Have All the Best Ideas)
Welcome to the Fiction Fairies Podcast, where we amplify joy, whimsy, and the magic of the written word!
Join authors Amanda Torrey and Christine DePetrillo as they share their unconventional take on Valentine's Day—proving that celebrating love doesn't require grand gestures, expensive dinners, or even liking Valentine's Day at all.
The Great Valentine's Day Confession
Here's the truth: We're romance authors. We write happily-ever-afters for a living. We live and breathe love stories. And yet... drumroll ...we're not huge fans of Valentine's Day.
As Amanda puts it: "We love love so much that we want to celebrate love all the time. All the time. And we don't want it to be a pressured love."
Instead of one-day-only romance, we believe in whimsical moments of love all year long—the kind that don't require reservations, perfect timing, or stress. Think: simple, kind, joyful expressions of affection that honor the everyday magic of loving someone.
Inviting Joy into Your Life
Christine's Joy: Orange Tulips and Snow Hearts
Christine shares her recent joy discovery: treating herself to a bouquet of orange tulips that literally called out to her from the grocery store. "They smell like spring and sunshine and wishes that are about to come true," she says. Plus, she's developed an accidental ritual of drawing hearts in the snow each year—whimsy leading the way!
Amanda's Joy: Book Club and Ted Lasso
Amanda's monthly book club brings together 13 women (including her daughter!) for snacks, conversation, and connection. "It's my favorite thing," she shares. The intergenerational perspective adds richness, and staying up to binge Ted Lasso with her daughter afterward? Pure joy.
Whimsical Ways to Show Love
For Your Significant Other
Pick the weirdest thing you love about them. Write them a heartfelt letter explaining why that quirk makes them uniquely right for you. As Christine notes, "There's something so weird that somebody else would not find as charming, but you love it."
Other whimsical ideas:
- Create a "Reasons I Love You" list on post-it notes hidden around the house
- Start a memory jar for the year—collect ticket stubs, notes, and moments
- DIY something creative that shows your passion and love
- Make a playlist that tells your love story (interpretive dance optional but encouraged!)
- Give the gift of rest while wearing something ridiculous (fairy wings while doing dishes, anyone?)
- Plan love coupons for future dates, massages, or movie choices
For Your Pets
Let's be honest—this was the easiest category for us to brainstorm!
- Spend uninterrupted quality time (put down the phone!)
- Talk to them in your happiest voice (you know the one)
- Learn their love language—some pets love play, others want snuggles, some just want their routine respected
- Let them choose the activity—the walk route, the toy, the nap spot
- Make or buy healthy treats and donate extras to an animal shelter
- Extra belly rubs (no explanation needed)
For Your Kids
Transform Valentine's Day into magical moments they'll remember:
- One-on-one special dates with each child
- Create paper mailboxes for the whole family to exchange love notes throughout February
- Do a creative project together—bake, paint, build
- Break a routine (dinner as a living room picnic, dessert first, heart-shaped everything!)
- Host a showcase night where they perform, share artwork, or teach you about their interests
- Plan a "Yes Day" (within reason!)
- Write them a letter to read when they're older
Ways to reconnect with your kids:
- Apologize when you make mistakes
- Make eye contact and smile when they enter the room
- Celebrate effort, not just results
- Be consistent—they feel loved through safety and routine
- Laugh together (joy is a love language!)
For Your Friends
- Check in and truly listen without trying to fix everything
- Use the "Do you want to be helped, hugged, or heard?" framework
- Respect boundaries and honor growth—people change, and that's okay
- Share a photo or memory and explain why it still matters
- Show up on time and follow through
- Celebrate their wins loudly and genuinely—be their cheerleader
- Take a spontaneous mini-adventure (even if it's just a snack run!)
For Yourself
Yes, self-love counts! Here's how to honor yourself:
- Speak to yourself with kind, patient language
- Write yourself a love note or record a video pep talk
- Forgive yourself for past mistakes—you were doing your best
- Prioritize rest (real rest, not just collapsing from exhaustion)
- Take a slow shower or bath—cleanse your soul, not just your body
- Revisit a hobby or try something new (hint: Whimsy Writer Club on February 26th!)
- Spend time in nature
- Take yourself on a solo date
- Create an "I'm Proud Of" list
- End each day with gratitude for yourself
Our Ideal Valentine's Day vs. Our Characters'
Amanda's Perfect Valentine's
"Me and Jim in our comfy jammies that we've probably worn for the last 20 years on the couch, binge-watching a show with Chinese takeout. That's it." (He orders, she drives to pick it up, he goes in—perfect division of labor based on their preferences!)
Christine's Perfect Valentine's
"If a date involves a cocktail and a shoulder massage, I'm happy." Add in hiking, music, laughter, and comfortable PJs—but nothing expensive or public!
Our Characters' Perfect Valentine's
Grand public proposals, custom engagement rings, the whole town watching, personalized plans with deep meaning—all the romance novel magic we love to write but would run from in real life!
Special Features
The Fairy Kitchen Love Ritual
Infuse your Valentine's meal (especially soup!) with magic:
- Light a red or pink candle
- Play loving, joyful music
- Choose a special vessel to cook in
- Select purposeful ingredients (rosemary for memories, cinnamon for romance)
- Thank each ingredient as you gather it
- Stir clockwise with intention while chanting: "Bless this food, open our hearts, strengthen our roots, and grant us longevity for a healthy life of love together"
- Visualize your bonds growing as it simmers
- Serve with love, whispering a good wish for each person
As Christine says: "When you pour your love into something you're making, you can taste it, you can feel it."
This Week's Sprite Spell: Seduce Your Muse
Romanticize your creative spirit:
- Slip into something artsy and comfortable
- Get your favorite treat and beverage
- Wear something cozy yet luxurious (your fancy sweats!)
- Add something whimsical—glitter makeup, fun jewelry
- Light a candle
- Lubricate your skin with decadent lotion
- Play atmospheric music
- Get it on with your creativity!
Join the Whimsy Writer Club!
February 26th, 2026 at 7pm Eastern
A free online community for anyone who wants to be weird and creative with us. We'll have:
- Quick lessons (nothing crazy!)
- Weird and whimsical prompts
- Creative time
- Optional sharing (not mandatory, we promise!)
This is for professional writers, hobbyists, journal-keepers, painters, musicians—anyone who wants to play with creativity. As Amanda says: "This is just meant to be playful and fun and to sort of unlock that creativity."
Subscribe to the Fiction Fairies Substack to get the Zoom link delivered to your inbox!
Favorite First Kiss Scenes
Christine's Pick: Protect the Soul
An enemies-to-lovers romance where Joshua rescues Sylvie from a blind date she totally has under control (protective hero activated!). The tension leads to one of Christine's favorite first kiss scenes. "Things get a little, let's just say, heated."
Amanda's Pick: So Complicated
Best friends who share a fake kiss in a bar, which becomes a very real problem later. "The anticipation of them realizing that they're exactly right for each other—the payoff is really powerful."
The Glimmer Challenge
Find and spread joy today.
Whether it's Valentine's Day, July 4th, or any random Tuesday—you can create your own celebration of love. Small gestures, weird rituals, whimsical moments. That's what love looks like in real life.
Want more whimsy and joy? Subscribe to the Fiction Fairies Substack, join the Whimsy Writer Club, and connect with us on social media. Let us know how you're celebrating love in your own unique way!
Christine DePetrillo and Amanda Torrey are the co-hosts of the Fiction Fairies podcast, amplifying joy, whimsy, and the magic of the written word. Find links to their books, the Whimsy Writer Club, and more in the show description.
Keywords: Valentine's Day ideas, whimsical romance, self-love rituals, celebrating love, romance authors, creative writing community, Fiction Fairies podcast, Whimsy Writer Club, unconventional Valentine's Day, showing love without pressure