When one catalogs the greatest love stories of all time, they may probably list the likes of Gone with the Wind, Romeo and Juliet, Ghost or The Notebook. It makes one wonder why these sagas can enchant throngs of audiences. My hypothesis would be described by these nouns ‘romance, passion, eternal love, fantasy, allure’. The on-screen pair of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara are embodiments of heart melting, awww-inducing, cheek blushing attributes, all of which many of us search in the off-screen life.
I’ve realized that these scenarios and characters are fictional for a reason, mainly showcasing the courting phase of a relationship where infatuation is the plot. Real life relationships are not a melodrama, but are the behind-the-scenes actual labor to create the “fairy tale” that you would like it to be.
My parents just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year in August. For reaching that milestone alone, they’ve become one of my model couples. Do they ever argue? Do they ever have disagreements? Do they ever dislike each other? Yes, they do all these things, because they’re human. But my parents always seem to find a way to resolve, forgive, move forward and repeat. The two things that my mom advises me about relationships is, to demonstrate patience, and kindness, despite the circumstances, they will always prevail.
This article is dedicated to my partner whom I’ve recently become engaged to, and who has shown me that a relationship is no romantic comedy, but rather an amalgamation of the arduous, painstaking, fun, fulfilling labor of love that makes two people be better and happier together.
Freddy Mercury gave the other side of truth about the four letter word, “Love don’t give no compensation, love don’t pay no bills. Love don’t give no indication, love just won’t stand still. Love won’t take no reservations, love is no square deal.” (from the song Love Kills)
This article has been published on Now! Jakarta magazine
Turning Life Experiences into Life Skills 