thanks for the useful insights

Romance schmomance. It wears off. Then the real work of relationship and love must take over. That's where a lot of folks just lose will and lose interest - or simply never learned the skills of sustaining ongoing friendship, trust, and respect. Many people aren't even capable of the level of emotional intimacy and emotional maturity real love requires.

Until society gets real about relationships and stops promoting "love" addiction, unhealthy enmeshment, codependency, mutual exploitation, and instant (sexual, romantic) gratification in relationships via film, romance novels, "love" songs, media, etc. - then expectations will remain unrealistic and we will collectively continue failing to sustain meaningful relationships.

And I say so very generally speaking because there are plenty of people out there who have managed healthy, lifelong relationships in spite of - and not because of - society's and the media's constant promotion of "McLove".

McLove certainly SELLS - but buyer beware. "Junk Love" is bad for the heart.

_ _ _ _ _

"Our culture has traditionally glorified love addiction with the notion that we fall in love and live "happily ever after." This ignores the groundwork that relationships require. Many love relationships depicted in the media are really love addicted relationships. (See Romeo and Juliet as an example - not a very happy ending, huh?)"

http://www.recovery-man.com/loveaddict.htm

Love was the one concept Maria von Franz (an associate of CG Jung) on which she would not comment. Love at first sight is a matter of projections. What we see in a potential partner is as much to do with ourselves as it is with the other - and vice-versa. When an anlysand begins to tease out which is which, his or her relationship can begin in earnest. Then the work begins!