On Love

As our third wedding anniversary approaches, my mind is on love and in turn I'm subconsciously listening to some different tunes. I mean, "Party Rock" (LMFAO) hasn't seen my playlist in at least five days. I saw the musical Aida on stage almost two years ago now, my friend sent me the soundtrack, and I probably haven't listened to it in over a year. But today this song touched me-- then I looked up the lyrics. And boom! Everything that I feel about the reality of modern day marriages made prettier by people who can carry a tune.

"Elaborate Lives" (from Aida)
by Elton John

We all lead such elaborate lives
Wild ambitions in our sights
How an affair of the heart survives
Days apart and hurried nights

Seems quite unbelievable to me
I don't want to live like that
Seems quite unbelievable to me
I don't want to love like that
I just want our time to be slower and gentler, wiser, free

We all live in extravagant times
Playing games we can't all win
Unintended emotional crimes
Take some out, take others in

I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to live like that
I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to love like that
I just want to be with you now and forever, peaceful, true

I wish I had the courage
To tell you face to face
But I could wait forever
For the perfect time and place

We all live such elaborate lives
We don't know whose words are true
Strangers, lovers, husbands, wives
Hard to know whose loving who

Too many choices tear us apart
I don't want to live like that
Too many choices tear us apart
I don't want to love like that
I just want to touch your heart, may this confession be the start


I am exhausted and heartbroken by the many divorces I see around me; I know that in most cases these people have been heartbroken themselves, many times over, and separation has become the right option. It definitely can be the best option. But I also think that we live in a society that makes divorce more of an option, in a world where we often can't say and do the things we need to do in order to remain in love over time, and where love resuscitation isn't readily available. In this current place in time, we can do almost anything-- but sometimes those choices come at a cost we don't see until it's time to pay up. And my heart is broken over so much sadness.

It has, however, made us fighters. Three years in, I know that my Mister and I have a long road ahead of us but we're making the conscious decision to pave only one route. And I firmly believe that with this attitude, love in combination with respect, mutual goals, and an abundance of shared laughter and tears is enough.

XO,