The Death of a Romantic

I was at work yesterday, working on a client. She was a pleasant lady with some serious 80's hair, but sweet none the less. My boss, a few stations over from me was working on a younger guy. I was eavesdropping on their conversation (as I'm prone to doing) and her the guy tell her that he and his fiance were taking engagement pictures later that day.

My first reaction was thank goodness I didn't end up with him, no pressure to do a good haircut or anything! My boss asked him where they were going on their honeymoon.

The guy replied, " Everyday is a honeymoon with her.".

Upon hearing this, I literally rolled my eyes and made a gagging sound ( Rude, I know. It just came out!). My client however oohed and ahhed and squealed about how romantic that was. I kept my opinion in check as much as possible, but couldn't help to wonder.

How long have these people been together? A week? A month? Honestly. I feel like no one who has been together any length of time would say that. I hate it when newly together people act like they have nothing that no one on this planet has ever had. That they are different than everyone else, when in fact they are like everyone else was at the BEGINNING of their relationships.

Then an even more disturbing thought hit me. When did I become so cynical? I think I used to be a romantic. Apparently I'm not anymore gauging by my reaction to this cheesy display of affection. Hmm. When did this happen? And why did this happen?

I'm married to my best friend. We have had good times. We've had hard times. Sometimes he so irritating the fact that I'm stuck with him for all eternity seems like a cruel joke. But my love for him is as strong as it was the first time I said those words to him. However our love is different now. Life, struggles, kid have come into the picture and now we are like old war buddies as well as two married people.

Is that what has turned me into a cynic? I'm not sure. Obviously at some point I grew up and realized that real relationships were not all roses and sunshine. Fun times and love notes. Everyday together is not going to be a honeymoon. In my mind at least. But that's OK. If it was sunshine all the time we would never appreciate the good times and not have a reason to work and grow as a couple.

Good luck to this young guy getting married. Maybe he was joking with his comment... although he didn't seem like it. Maybe everyday will be a honeymoon for them, great for them if it is. As for me ( and I think the rest of us?) we'll keep struggling, growing and learning together.