Deciding to make the most of it and choose a cheesy souvenir to take home, I turn towards the nearest shelves. I glance at the usual tea towels and trinkets, posters and pens, but my eye is drawn to a display case in the corner. The sign above reads ‘Welsh Love Spoons’, and when I reach the glass cabinet, I see it’s full of intricately carved wooden spoons. Each one is unique, with their handles being made of interlacing shapes and symbols and even their bowls being unusual shapes.
A small sign on a stand inside the case explains that love spoons were originally carved from a single piece of wood by men for the women they loved, to show their affection. He would carve the handle to symbolise his hopes and intentions, such as a key or keyhole, showing he wanted them to share a home. The most popular symbol was, unsurprisingly, the heart, to show true love.
Using the sign to help me, I interpret each spoon until my gaze lands on one towards the back. Attached to the heart-shaped bowl is the polished handle featuring an anchor for security, knotted vines covered in leaves for growing love, ending with beautifully carved flowers for affection. It’s perfect.
“Excuse me?” I say to the man behind the counter.
He’s easily in his sixties, has thinning white hair and a belly that hangs over his trousers to the point that his belt buckle isn’tvisible.
He smiles warmly. “Yes, cariad! How can I help?”
“Could I have one of the love spoons, please?”
“Course! Now, you just give me a minute to find the key.” He steps off the stool with more grace than I expected for someone his age and rummages around under the counter. “Ah, there it is!”
He pulls the small silver key from under the counter and walks around to the cabinet in front of me. “Seen one you like, have you?” he asks cheerfully as he rattles the key in the lock.
“Yes, the one at the back on the middle shelf.” I point to it, despite him having his back to me.
You really are a moron, aren’t you?
“Ah yes, I remember making this one,” he says as he reaches for it. “It was a bugger to make but turned out quite well, if I do say so myself.”
He holds it out for me, and I accept it carefully.
“You made these yourself?” I ask in awe.
“Every one,” he replies proudly. “Made in the traditional way. I customise them too if you’re interested?”
“How do you mean?”
“I can engrave them with names. It will only take ten minutes and doesn’t cost extra.”
I consider it for a minute. Would it come across as too strong if I bought a love spoon with mine and Connor’s names carved into it only a couple of days after our first date? I don’t want to scare him away so soon. Then again, Connor told me he loves me before we even got to our first date, so I figure my gesture would be considered appropriate.
“That would be great, thank you!” I smile at the man and hand him back the spoon, exchanging it for a piece of paper so I can write down the names I want.
“You just have a look around now and I’ll shout you when it’sdone.”
Before I have chance to properly take in the rest of the items in the small shop, my phone buzzes in my bag. The display says the message is from Connor (his number now very much unblocked from my phone), and I smile when I open it.
Connor
Did you manage to dodge the rain?
Me
Yeah, just reached the shops when it started. Picking out a keepsake to remember our holiday while I shelter
Connor
I’m pretty sure I’ll remember this trip forever, souvenir or not
It’s where you made me the happiest man in the world
I wouldn’t say no to a stick of rock, though
I laugh to myself and turn to find the selection of rock a couple of shelves away. I snap a selfie with the display, after making sure most of my face is hidden by my sunglasses and cap, and send it to Connor with the caption ‘See anything you like?’ I’ve barely pressed the send button when my phone rings with an incoming call. I swipe to answer and hold it to my ear.
