They say that true love last for all eternity? You know, the kind you see in plays like, “Romeo and Juliet.” These two star crossed lovers fell passionately for one another and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Of course they were driven to commit suicide shortly after. This brings me to my point. Although the concept of romance relationships sounds ideal and should be eternal, it’s not. If you’re going to ever use Romeo and Juliet as an example, forget it! They were only together a matter of days. If they had stayed alive and spent a few years together, it wouldn’t be the same. It can’t be. That would go against the cycle of every other couple on this planet. Romance tends to fade or even die.

It’s true that we all have to work on our relationships and marriages. They will not simply remedy themselves. What I always like to tell the younger folks is that romance relationships do not stay perfect. The beginning can seem phenomenal. Everything is new for both of you and you’re stoked to learn more and more about each other. Unfortunately you do and suddenly there’s no mystery. Out of nowhere you’re spending all of your time together and things start to get routine. Before you know it, you’re living together or married and have a child on the way. Say bye-bye to romance relationships and hello to the mundane. Okay, hold on a moment! I’m not trying to diss marriage or long term relationships. After all, this is what I have. I’m only pointing out that the “honeymoon stage” will fade. This is when you really need to start making time for one another and trying your best to spice things up. Put some effort into it. You can even acquire advice on romance relationships via books or the web. Maybe you will spot something new that sounds ideal for you and your significant other. New can often be good. Real relationships need real work.

When it comes to romance relationships, I admit that I’m not the king. I am one that will work hard to better what I have. You want to know why? Because it’s worth it. You may have fallen in love with your partner long ago and since then the passion has faded, but now you can choose to love them forever, or not. It certainly takes effort from both parties but is totally possible.

I do not know about the rest of you but I am just about sick of all of the various holidays. Every month it seems as though there is a new one coming around the bend. Stores begin decorating for holidays months beforehand and it drives me crazy. I don’t want to pick through Christmas decorations in August, thank you very much.

One of the most annoying holidays is Valentine’s Day. Do not get me wrong – I am in a loving, wonderful relationship – I just do not like being told that on some random day in February I have to prove it to my mate and the rest of the world. Valentine’s Day is meant to be romantic and all that jazz but the holiday itself does not have the most romantic of histories. I won’t go into it but it involves Catholics and martyrdom. Yikes.

I feel a bit awkward whenever my honey and I are watching tv and a damned commercial for Valentine’s Day comes on. There we are, sitting in silence, waiting for it to be over. We love each other plenty but a stupid stuffed animal really does not do it for me anymore. I am not twelve, thank you.

I am a grownup. If someone wants to do something amazing and unforgettable for me on Valentine’s Day it does not involve chocolates and roses. They could pay my car payment. That would last a lifetime. Chocolates just make me fat and flowers die, so what is the fascination? Someone please tell me.

Valentine’s Day is the most overdone of all holidays, even more so than Christmas. Bold statement, I know. But I think that it is true. It even alienates more people than Christmas. There have to be more single people out there than there are people from a single, non-Christmas celebrating religion. Now how do they feel, huh? We go out of our way to make non-Christians feel accepted during the holiday season, what about the dateless? What about them?

I think that we need to tone down the whole Valentine’s Day thing. Being in a relationship or being in love is a personal thing and not everyone feels deeply in love on a random cold Thursday in mid-February. Leave me alone Russell Stovers! You too, rose-growers! I am happy in my relationship and I do not need your industries telling me I need stuff or to do more to prove it.