I haven't had a romantic relationship for 5 years. I'm older, been married for 20 years, then divorced and tried the singles' scene. After many disastrous attempts at bonding with fellas, and subseqent long periods of sad recovery at the endings (I'm talking YEARS from each), I finally decided to abstain from attempting and see how I did solo.

I'm only sharing this because in retropsect, I realize I was addicted, I mean ADDICTED, to the idea of love. I wanted that high which comes with the initial attraction. I realize now that this is something only temporary, which really doesn't last.

I admire those couples which have that something extra which allows them to stay in the relationship. I really think our conditioning and society promotes the myth that romantic love is the be all and end all, when, in reality, it is a biological urge, a mating ritual. Sorry for the cynical view, but it comes from long experience, and I would like to hear from others' experiences here on their take on this.
Patty