There are actually 4 stages to love in a person's life. There is "puppy love" when we are young and have a crush on someone. There is "teen love" where we swear by the gods that we love that person, but, sometimes things go wrong and we move on until so-called love hits us between the eyes yet once again. Then there is love where you want to live with or marry the person. After that there is "comfort love" where you have shared so much of life together for many years. Sorrows, happiness, the birth of children, family, etc. Although "comfort love" is not as passionate as young love it's still there and if the couple have been fortunate and worked hard at their marriage they are two friends as well as loving each other where they can rely on each other. It's a wonderful feeling, but the hard part is getting there.
I have known people who have been married 60 - 70 years and I can hardly fathom it. I feel lucky I have survived 34 years and still going. Oh yes, there are disagreements, bad times, but more often, there is happiness, joy, and comfort of each other. When one's back is against the wall the other one comes out fighting and if you are truly in love that never changes.
In these modern times it's very hard for the youth of today to believe in love and marriage because there are so many divorces. Yes, marriage or even living together is a gamble, but, if you work hard at it and don't expect perfection then you're going to make it and be happy until the end of times. I've known my husband 39 years and been married to him for 34 of those years and I love and respect him and I intend (as does he) to be there for each other until our time comes to pass on.
I watched a wonderful movie called, "Note Book" (a true story) of 2 lovers and their heartbreaks going together off and on in the 1940s, and, eventually they did marry. They fought like cat and dog (both stubborn individuals) but they loved each other and didn't feel whole without the other. At the end she was unfortunate enough to have Dementia and he loved her so much he decided to stay in the same nursing home that she was in. They died in each others arms. I have heard of a mate dying soon after their mate has died and it's not that uncommon at all. Now that's love! If you want it bad enough you can attain it.
