In my opinion, when we grow up we have this notion --- whether from songs, books, film or societal idealism --- that love should be this sweet, simple thing between two people that lasts a long time. That two people simply "click" and they're together forever amen.

I won't lie --- I've wanted that idealistic, unconditional, emotional love. But I'm now beginning to realize that it's more than just that. Relationships may begin as this unconditional affection but they sometimes break down into arguments and apathy.

I've seen it with my own parents. I always saw them as a loving couple until the admission that my mother "loved" my dad but is no longer "in love" with him. For the last few years they seem to simply tolerate one-another.

While I agree that "hookup culture" (especially online) is changing the way relationships develop among people my age (20's), I still think that if other people are finding strong relationships in the midst of that mess, it will eventually happen to me. But as I've grown older I've also had to become more realistic about my expectations.

We would all love to have someone who will love and accept us for who we are, not their perfect vision of who we should be. I am no exception. The right situation just has to come along, I tell myself, but I find myself in the same position after not making the connections I would have liked. In spite of priding myself on being myself, maybe I'm the one who should eventually change. We'll see, I guess...