As long as we both shall live?

Whoever came up with the idea of spending the rest of your life with someone? Waking up every single morning to inevitably look at the same face staring back at you? Being accustomed to their bad habits, smells and eating patterns for as long as you both shall live? Most romantic comedies end at the point where the male professes his eternal love for his supposed 'soul mate'. They never seem to film the part where she picks up his smelly socks off the floor or he leaves his dirty dishes in the sink, 'cause lets be honest, who would want to watch that? More importantly, who would want to live with that?

Most girls have at some point, pictured their wedding day with the beautiful dress, tearful speeches and infatuated perfectly polished groom waiting at the end of the isle. But I'm sure it's a much lower percentage who have actually thought about what comes after the fairytale. What does the 'happily ever after' actually entail? Well for a start, you should leave your independence at the altar. You have just entered a three-legged race. From this day on, you will be bound to this person for the rest of your life (unless you request a divorce.) Your significant other will leak into every aspect of your life, wholly drenching your existence. You are to give up your name, your freedom and even half of your bed. These are all to be sacrificed in the name of true love. We must surrender our life as we know it and embrace this person and all that they are. Idealistically, if you find the love of your life you would do this in a heartbeat. Realistically, the sacrifices are colossal. Especially if you value your independence and life as you know it.

This is probably the most negative blog you've ever read, and for that I apologize. I can feel the realist in me oozing out at every word. I must say that I do believe in love, and that there is someone for everyone. But I've come to realise that every relationship you have with someone is a compromise with the relationship you have with yourself. A wise person once told me never rely on someone else to make you happy: happiness should come from within. This has led me to believe that we should assess how much we are giving up being in a relationship. Is the sacrifice greater than the gain? Because the biggest tragedy would be losing yourself.

Having said all this, I know there is a possibility I could meet someone who I would willingly give up everything for. But they would have to be pretty spectacular. Watch this space.