[continues]

"Srikanth, I just wanted to say that I was very disappointed the other day after you called...no, disappointed is not the word. Agony is probably closer to what I felt. I like you a lot (darn! I just cannot say the word love) and was hoping you would propose. I cried for a week, as a matter-of-fact. But, am over it now. I can..."

"Vandana, I love you."

Literally, a hundred butterflies flying in my stomach and all around me. I must be dreaming. Again! No, I smell his musk. He is really hugging me!"

I just wish you wouldn't jump to conclusions! Gosh, I can't even play a joke on you without you turning my life upside down!"Although I would have loved to stay in his arms for a much longer time, I moved away and demanded (hoping my loud inquisition would make him not notice my tears of joy!).

And, the girl married Mr.America -NRI.

[Over to me]

Wow! Exotic!
I realize something different from this.
How blessed and beautiful it feels to be loved?

Well, this isn’t love exactly but it turned out suddenly for each other.
This is life, where your spouse can take any other role for you as mother, father, brother/sister and more of a friend in this world. A companionate love rather than a passionate one. That’s how I value love.

I understood that the first rule is to never take your love relationship for granted. Couples often spend a lot of attention on each other when first dating or before marriage, but then tend to focus on other things (work, children, outside interests) after marriage.

It is very important to love your actual partner, not the idealization of your partner. It is often easier to fall in love with an ideal person than with a real person. The ideal person is perfect in every way, whereas a real person has flaws and shortcomings. When we love a fantasy of the ideal person, we ultimately become disappointed and frustrated. But when we love someone for who he or she is, the relationship is based on reality. Intimacy, passion, and commitment play a big role for a successful love relationship.

[To be Continued]