Bye Bye Black Bird

Lately I've begun to wonder if commitment and bliss are inversely proportional. The beginning of a new relationship is so incredibly body-and-soul scintillating, it's a wonder that anyone would want to "take things to the next level" and risk altering this state of twitterpation.

Look at Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. They've been together for what—20+ years? And they seem completely in love (Note: this perception is filtered through the media and may not be an actual representation of their adoration). But the kicker is—they're not married. They never signed the papers, shouted of the rooftops and made the ultimate declaration of in-sickness-and-in-health and we-share-our-moolah.

Is this why they're still happy? By avoiding "I do," have they managed to keep the bliss alive? And if they ever sealed the deal, would the bliss go bye bye?

Perhaps the cause of so many inversely proportional relationships is unfulfilled expectations. When you start seeing someone new, they're like babies. Everything they do is novel and wonderful and makes you want to clap and giggle. However, their fabulosity may just come back to bite them in the butt because as time passes, you either expect them to keep up the good work, or maybe you expect them to do even more for the relationship. And maybe they do...but you're so used to it that it doesn't elicit the same high it used to. Or maybe they don't...and this is a huge disappointment that sends amour swirling down the toilet.

Or maybe the bliss gives way to bigger, better and truer feelings. Maybe bliss is just an umbrella, but real love and commitment is an entire roof. It may be leaky sometimes, and you may want to put new shingles on it now and then, but it's warmer and sturdier and provides a heck of a lot more shelter from the rain. Maybe it's worth the twitterpation sacrifice...