What comes to my mind when one thinks of romantic love? The kissing, star-lit eyes, the impromptu gifts at your door, the tingling and merriment of your heart as your thoughts submerse into passion about that special 'someone?'
Well, in this day and age the term 'romantic love' has a very diverse meaning, and there are a vast amount of opinions on the concept.
"When I hear romantic love, I think cheesy movie moments. I don't think that's real life. sometimes love is hard and painful and it doesn't always end well. Love is real, but it is honest and raw. My idea of romance is knowing Steven will be there when I go to bed and still be there when I wake up. It's romantic to me that he loves me when I'm angry or sad or happy - it's like, it's unconditional. That means way more than socially acceptable ideas of romance like fancy dates, flowers, expensive presents, etc," states 28-year-old manager of American Apparel Jessica Mlynar, when I asked her what she thought of romantic love.
There are so many different aspects to romance that many people of this younger generation fail to recognize. Romance is not going to be as picturesque and flawless as the type we view in Romantic films. There will be many triumphs and obstacles hurled in one's path of love, but it is an experience that everyone must attain.
When one first starts dating, he or she may feel the need to conform to his or her partner's wants or expectations, and that should never be the case. Relationships are never supposed to leave a negative impact on one's life, if he or she truly admires and loves you then there would be no need for conformation.
"A science project is for school, not relationships," exclaims 28-year-old Ashley Edwards when I asked her if conformation of character or personality should be a factor in romantic love. Edwards, who has been in a committed relationship with her boyfriend of four years believes that a relationship should not feel as some sort of self-renovation because the partner wants you to change.
Relationships nor romantic love are suppose to cause one to feel as if he or she is a "project to be worked on," so to speak.
Romance is about growth and assisting your partner in making the best life decisions for himself or herself, while being able to share that growth in the relationship. NEVER let anyone make you feel as if you are required to appease them by changing a part of your character or personality, if he or she does feel as if you should then let them know that there a billion other people in the world, and leave that person.
"Love is happiness. Love is pain. Love is gaining the world and sometimes losing your soul. Love is blind yet so clear it hurts. The feeling is so strong it sometimes makes you literally weak in the knees. It's so brilliant to have someone that makes you feel invincible yet so stripped raw to the core. Love is fleeting ... It's magical to have it while you have it. Once it's gone. It's gone," answers twenty-two year old Rita Randall-Smith when asked her opinion on love. Smith believes that love makes human beings as vulnerable as possible, while building on certain other aspects of one's character.
The experience people gain from relationships assist in helping them make other rational choices when dealing with daily life. Relationships can help build on one's security, affection, generosity, rationale, and morality, but it can also become the demise of these feelings. It is a chance to explore yourself and your partner, not just physically but mentally as well.
Hear me out young people of today, love takes time but it does come along on this road of life. Be patient and love yourself to the utmost and once you do, someone will come along for you to share that love with and that will sprout into a plethora of bliss.
Don't ever belittle yourself because someone does not love you or you are in a situation of unrequited love, someone else will cherish every vessel of your body and mind. Love yourself first.
