by Ann E. Smith

Created on: June 07, 2009   Last Updated: July 13, 2009

Love makes the world go round, but it is a complicated emotion. It is one of the absolute truths, and it gives your life both purpose and meaning.

As the Greeks classically debated, there are many kinds of love, including romantic love and friendship love. There is also the unconditional love, which is the kind you feel for your children, parents, siblings and pets.

And there is the love you feel for God, and the love that infiltrates your heart and soul when you surrender.

But what about the reality of love? How does it differ from idealized love, the stuff of poetry and plays?

While the movies portray romantic love, for example, as warm and fuzzy, real life is not like the movies. When you love someone, there will be some glowing moments for sure.

However there will also be a lot of pain and insecurity as well. Love brings fulfillment. But it also brings disappointment.

When it comes to love, especially romantic love, part of growing up is coming to terms with the reality of love. Below are some things to consider about romantic love, when looking at it from a realistic standpoint.

* Romantic love has a honeymoon phase that is very different from its later phases.

Romantic love starts off all consuming and exhilarating. There are butterflies in the stomach. Life seems fresh and new. You feel more 'alive' and you exude a kind of joy and excitement.

While romantic love makes you feel almost like nothing else - in its beginning phases, it is important to know that the honeymoon phase will not last. Many people have great trouble accepting the mundane aspects of a relationship once the beginning sparks have died down.

Romantic love, when in a long-term relationship, will change and evolve. As you get to know someone better, you will also start to see some of their quirks and faults. You will no longer be on series of fun dates, but dealing with Mondays and tough periods in life.

While there will be some sparks at times in a long-term romantic relationship, you must realize that those sparks will be replaced by many everyday things. Your moods will return. You will not delight in joy forever simply because you have this relationship in your life.

That does not mean, though, that you will not grow to appreciate your romantic relationship more over time. It just means your perspective of it, and the nature of the relationship, will not stay the same. If you want the same, then you will be sorely disappointed.

* Love has good days and bad days.

Loving

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