So, a few days ago I saw the movie Valentine's Day. I wasn't impressed, but I thought it was OK.
Although, that one particular scene...with Shirley MacLaine running around the drive-in...really got my attention. Her speech to her husband was that if he loves her, he must love all of her...including the bad parts. Ahhh...fictional romance on the big screen. Love Conquers All!
I call Bull-Shit. That is such a romantisized description of complacency. Love is only "real love" if you love the bad parts too? Hmmm...what if those bad parts consist of your wife always drinking and driving; or your husband flashing the neighbours kids? Is "partner love" unconditional? Well, I personally think the answer is both yes, and no.
Sadly, loving someone is not contingent on them treating you well. If this were the case, there would be a lot less people in abusive relationships, and a lot of children would walk away from their parents. You don't stop loving someone just because they hurt you...but you do need to evaluate their behaviour and how it fits into your life.
Loving someone shouldn't require you to sacrifice yourself or your beliefs. It shouldn't require you to take the really bad, with the good.
I think movies like The Way We Were are more honest, realistic and healthy. Because while each character greatly loved the other, their beliefs and values were too different, and they chose to part ways. How many of us are that honest with ourselves?
I have nothing against love ;) I just think we need to ask ourselves, that if loving someone means having to sacrifice who you are, is it worth it?
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