Thought For The Day

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROMANCE AND LOVE,
(by Marjorie Holmes, c. 1976)

It is easy to mistake romance for love. Yet there are many differences:
Romance is fleeting ... Love is long.
Romance is dancing in the moonlight. Gazing deep into desired
eyes across a candlelit table ... Love is saying: "You're tired, honey,
I'll get up this time" -- and stumbling through the darkness to warm a
bottle or comfort a frightened child.
Romance is suspense, anticipation, surprise.... Love is dependability.
Romance is tingling excitement .... Love is tenderness, constancy,
being cherished.
Romance is generally based on opposition, risks and denials.
(Who'd ever have heard of Romeo and Juliet if their parents hadn't
objected?) ... Love is more often based on a similar background
where parents and friends approve, even encourage: "Good. You were
made for each other."
Romance is an eager striving always to appear attractive to each
other .... Love is two people who find beauty in each other no matter
how they look.
Romance is flattering attentions.... Love is genuine thoughtfulness.
Love is heightened and sweetened by romance, but it can survive
without it .... Romance feeds only on itself and thus is self-consuming.
Romance is delicious .... Love nourishes.
Romance is seeking perfection .... Love is forgiving faults.
Romance is flying .... Love is safe landing.
Romance is the anguish of waiting for the phone to ring to bring
you a voice that will utter endearments .... Love is the anguish of
waiting for a call that will assure you someone else is happy and safe.
Romance can't last .... Love can't help it.