For romance is not a love that is directed at another human being; the passion of romance is always directed at our own projections, our own expectation, our own fantasies. In a very real sense it is a love not of another person, but of oneself. Robert A. Johnson
Even though this author studies Eastern philosophy, his analysis of relationships in our culture is absolutely accurate. The Bible is also quite clear that true love is a love that puts the needs of others first, not my needs.
Romance can certainly enhance a marriage; most marriages begin with a degree of romance.
What does ROMANCE really mean?
We talk about having a romantic view of life or of a profession or of an endeavor. When we say that someone has romanticized what it means to be a singer, actor, or artist, we are saying that the person only sees the fun parts, the adoration that comes with it. They don’t see the hard work and the long hours and even rejection that went into the profession before success followed.
Billy Graham says, “The word ‘romance,’ according to the dictionary, means excitement, adventure, and something extremely real. Romance should last a lifetime.”
Romance only lasts a lifetime when it is a complement to true love. [see our next post for more info]
What does romance look like?
Facets of Romance ….
Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable.
Henry Ward Beecher
Romance and Love are often confused. Today, the precedent is often set with elaborate marriage proposals. The aspiring husband puts a lot of thought and planning into the proposal.
If that is just the proposal, how much more romantic will marriage be?
A romantic proposal has nothing to do with true and lasting love.
Ask a couple who has been married 10 years or more, “What is romance?”
They will talk about the little things - having a quiet evening together after a hectic day, brining home my favorite dessert, or even cleaning house together.
Signs of true love!
