It’s no secret that a breaking up is a painful process, no matter which side of it you’re on. Almost everything about it is miserable, but there are some things that are particularly hurtful; these ten things are among the worst parts of ending a relationship.

1. The Initial Conversation – Whether you knew the breakup was inevitable or were taken by surprise, the first discussion about ending a relationship is one of the most difficult. Hurt feelings can cause both parties to say things they’ll later regret, causing each other even more pain.
2. Separating Your Lives – Long-term relationships have a way of intertwining two lives so thoroughly that extricating yourself is a complicated and hurtful process. Sorting belongings, closing joint accounts and moving all hammer the point home; the finality of these necessary tasks can be heartbreaking.
3. Questions From Family and Friends – When family members and friends become accustomed to viewing a couple as a unit, it can be difficult to answer the inevitable questions. Being forced to explain the reasons behind a breakup to loved ones over and over can be wearing; watching mutual friends take sides and grow apart can often make things even worse.
4. Finding Forgotten Belongings – Stumbling over a forgotten piece of clothing or other left-behind belongings inevitably happens, especially if the couple shared a living space. The regrets and memories of happier times can almost be overwhelming in this situation.
5. Adjusting to Single Life – After creating a life with someone, their absence can be even more upsetting when it’s time to make adjustments to single-dom. Mundane tasks like eating dinner alone are often among the most depressing reminders of everything that has been lost.
6. Rumors and Gossip – Even the most well-meaning friends can’t resist the urge to pass along gossip and rumors about an ex; regardless of their truth, these second-hand news items can make an injured party even more unhappy.
7. Being Reminded Unexpectedly – Hearing a particular song on the radio or smelling your ex’s cologne on a stranger passing by can almost be devastating; being unprepared for the onslaught of memories that accompany these things often leaves a person bewildered, reliving the relationship and its painful end.
8. Accidentally Running Into One Another – Unless one half of a couple leaves town altogether, you will eventually bump into one another. The stunted conversation between two people who were once so close is heartbreaking in its awkwardness.
9. Finding Out That They’re Dating Someone New – Hearing that your ex is seeing someone else, especially if you haven’t been ready to date anyone yourself, can make you question the depth of their commitment and feelings for you.
10. Realizing That You Haven’t Moved On – There often comes a point, after a breakup, when you realize that you’ve been fooling yourself into thinking that you’ve moved on. Realizing that you’re still not quite over an ex can feel as if you’re reliving the breakup, going through it all over again.

Starting over after ending a long-term relationship is a challenge, and almost never happens quickly. Because moving on is a series of small and gradual changes, it can sometimes feel as if there will never be an end in sight. Patience and optimism is key; by taking things one day at a time and realizing that the pain won’t last forever, you might find yourself ready to face the world sooner than you expect.

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How many times have you heard or said, “All of the good ones are taken.”  The single dating scene is harder than ever these days.  How do you know who’s really great and who’s just making stuff up to sound great?  Many more people are meeting online in chat rooms, or through dating sites than ever before.  While this seems like a good thing, how do you know who to trust?  Even when you meet them for coffee in a public place to check them out you may still not know if they are worth dating.  Check out 10 signs that someone will say ANYTHING to date you.

1. His stats suddenly match what you are looking for online: You’ve entered what you’re looking for in the perfect guy and you’ve checked out many of the guys online, but out of the blue this guy now has all of the things you’re looking for even though you’re pretty sure that you thought he was a loser the first time you saw his profile.
2. She agrees with everything you say: You meet this girl in a bar and she’s kind of cute, but the more you talk with her you figure out that she is a ‘yes’ girl.  She has no opinion of her own, but now loves everything you love and can’t agree with you fast enough.
3. He sounds too good to be true: You’ve moved from the Internet to talking by phone.  At first you think that he sounds great and that you’ve finally found Mr. Right, but then it starts sounding a little fishy that he’s a doctor, drives the perfect car, lives in the perfect neighborhood, and does charity work with kids in his free time.  If he sounds too good to be true he’s probably lying.  Wake up!
4. Things don’t add up: The hard thing about lying is that once you tell so many lies it’s hard to keep track of what you’ve said.  Keep in mind what he’s told you before and see if what he’s telling you could be true.  He graduated top of his class and is a successful doctor, but he’s 23 years old.  That’s not possible.  Sometimes it won’t be that obvious, but he may be telling you what he thinks you want to hear and you can lead him into tripping himself up if he’s lying.
5. He loves even ugly stuff if you do: Just for fun you should point out something that is utterly hideous and say how pretty it is.  If he chimes in with, yeah I know right.  You know that he is probably not being genuine and that you either need to tell him to knock it off or take a hike at this point.
6. She stares into your eyes the whole time: There is something to be said for making eye contact and paying attention to the person you are with.  There’s something else when you think you’re in a staring contest with them and you are wondering who’s going to blink first.  This happens with women probably more than men, but many times women are constantly trying to gauge what a guy is thinking and trying to have that moment where he looks deep into her eyes and falls head over heels for her.  During the first date this is just creepy.
7. He apologizes a lot: I don’t know what is it, but some people just think it’s their job to apologize for everything that goes wrong.  Now, there are some people that are just naturally like that and if you think they are being genuine and you are okay with that then great, but sometimes guys just try too hard to make everything perfect and if it’s not then they are constantly saying they are sorry.  It gets old so give it a rest.
8. Super self-conscious: People that are trying too hard to impress you and are willing to say anything to date you will often be super self-conscious too.  They will have an excuse for everything.  Sorry I’m not dressed up more; sorry I didn’t get my hair cut etc.
9. Tries too hard: Someone that is willing to say anything to date you will spend the whole time complimenting you and telling you how smart you are and how witty.  One or two compliments during an evening is fine and probably nice, but when they are saying things every other sentence they are trying too hard and are willing to keep buttering you up so they can get that date or something else.
10. Small talk-itis: I think women fall into this category a bit more than guys, but they just babble on about nothing.  They are trying to land on the perfect thing to get you to talk.  They don’t want to say anything of substance in case you wouldn’t agree with their position.  Be real and have a real conversation, it’s worth the risk.

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Dating an athlete can be intimidating for the indoor set, but an Ironman athlete sets the bar even higher. If the hottie you’ve had your eye on is the Ironman type, here are some date ideas that are sure to get their pulse racing.

1. Hit the Bike Trails – Biking with a triathlete might be daunting at first, but most Ironman participants realize that their skill level is a bit higher than most. Even if they have to slow it down in order for you to keep up, they’re likely to be touched that you made the attempt.
2. Go Rock Climbing – Indoor rock climbing facilities are easy to find, and most can accommodate varying skill levels. The ability to tailor the experience to your respective skill levels ensures that you’ll both enjoy yourselves.
3. The Daytime Outing – Ironman athletes typically train very early in the morning; the late-night date usually isn’t their first choice. Suggesting an early meet-up and acknowledging those morning training sessions is a great way to show that you respect your honey’s commitment.
4. SCUBA Classes – Most people don’t realize how easily found and relatively inexpensive SCUBA diving classes are. Even though your triathlete is a highly-trained swimmer, they may not have any more experience with SCUBA than you do. The novelty and nod to their interests is sure to make a SCUBA date a hit.
5. Volleyball – With indoor facilities available in most communities, volleyball is a great date activity even in cold-weather months. Sparking your date’s competitive side is sure to make their heart pound.
6. Kayaking or Canoeing – If there’s a spot nearby that’s conducive to canoeing or kayaking, it’s a great way to spend the day. Satisfying a triathlete’s need to be outdoors and offering a new experience for the less athletic half, it’s an activity you can both enjoy.
7. Visiting the Batting Cages – Because the pitch speed can be adjusted to accommodate different skill levels, you can both enjoy America’s favorite past time at your own pace. Also, correcting your batting stance gives that athlete an excuse to get close.
8. Bowling – There’s something about the goofy shoes and garish colors of bowling balls that levels the playing field, regardless of skill. Because you’ll both look a little bit silly, it’s easier to relax and get to know one another over a few frames.
9. Skating – Whether you opt for the romantic ice variety, the nostalgic fun of rollerskating or the athleticism of rollerblades, skating is a great date activity.
10. Take a Hike – Hiking trails are a perennial favorite date activity for the outdoorsy, athletic type. Be prepared to push yourself when attempting to hike with an Ironman triathlete, and to hear plenty of motivational speeches along the way.

Tailoring date activities to an athlete’s personality is a great way to impress them and show that you’re supportive of their goals, but remember: it’s important that your needs and interests are represented as well. Striking a balance can be tricky, but it’s essential for building the foundation of a relationship.

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Just when you think it’s safe to go back to some semblance of normalcy after the holidays, along comes  that next thorn in your side, Valentine’s Day. Man, does this suck. It’s as though someone doesn’t want you to be comfortable, or save money. We could go on, but … On second thought, we need to go on, because that’s our job. So then, here are 7 reasons why Valentine’s Day totally sucks:

1. Is it really necessary to set apart a special day to remind us of how unpopular or unloved we truly are? Why not just call it Another Holiday Card List Your Name Isn’t On?
2. For Guys: Chick flick movies up the wazoo. Is this heaven? No it’s Iowa … during an EF-5 tornado.
3. For Girls: Cheesy cards and candy from secret admirers (nerdy losers) up the wazoo. Where’s Patrick Dempsey when you need a house call?
4. It only adds more pressure and expectations to dating that guy you just met last month at a New Year’s Eve party. Now you feel like they’re supposed to mean more to you than they actually do; and if they don’t, you just feel worse.
5. Anyway, it’s really just another marketing ploy to fill the gap between New Year’s Day and Easter.
6. It comes too soon for us to reach our New Year resolution to get in shape. Why can’t they push it back, closer to swimsuit season? Is that asking too much? Not to mention …
7. Chocolates. Lots of chocolates. Is this a conspiracy to keep us from losing all that weight we already put on over the holidays?  Give us a break already. Next, it’s Easter!

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The biggest dread  of every alumnus when attending high school reunions is image. We all want to look as good, and as successful, as we possibly can. Apart from our physical appearance and material wealth, one of our priorities is who to go with. For single alumni, this can be tricky. So we thought we’d propose some options for the occasion. Here are ten dream dates for high school reunions:

1. Who would make a bigger impression, or draw more envious glares, than the homecoming king/queen of your high school prom? Check availability, then make your move.
2. That varsity football quarterback who was the dream of every girl in your senior year might be a good choice as well. Maybe you could locate him on Facebook.
3. When all else fails, for those determined (or desperate) to make an impression might hire an escort for the occasion. Reputable firms do exist, that can provide a guest for you who’s custom-fit to your specifications. Just make sure you both get your story straight in advance.
4. Your personal trainer. What a fabulous pair you would make: you, 50 lbs. lighter, with the Adonis who made it possible at your side .
5. Your competition’s ex. Remember that girl who had everything, and always made fun of you? Well, turns out she’s lost one of those possessions – her doctor-husband.
6. If this is, like, your 20^th high school reunion, a dream date might just be your pool cleaner – or a chiropractor.
7. As long as we’re dreaming, how about that head cheerleader for the high school football team, who is now one of the Laker Girls?
8. We hear Jennifer Aniston is available, again. How cool would it be to walk in with her under your arm? Take that, Brad.
9. Finding out that the guy or girl you had a crush on all through high school is still available, not gay, and still lives nearby. Now that’s a dream.
10. Realizing that you’ve already found the perfect dream date, and married him/her. Now that’s better than dreaming.

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Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.

                                  – from the novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, by Louis De Bernieres

How do lovers ever manage to forget that they are in love? Can such devotion slip one’s mind? In a manner of speaking, yes it can. There are circumstances under which love can be forgotten, lost sight of, or simply neglected. Here are 10 reasons people can forget that they are in love:

1. Status Quo – When two people have loved one another long enough, it can easily be taken for granted. After the initial fireworks subside, the flame of love needs to be stoked occasionally.
2. Anger – A person who is given over to their anger is prone to forget or ignore all other feelings, It can even lead us to convince ourselves that we are not in love.
3. Lust – Call it a temporary loss of memory, or selective amnesia; however you describe it, a person focused on the physical allure of someone else will often forget their commitment to their partner.
4. Amnesia – Of course, there are clinical cases in which a person can genuinely lose their memory, including knowledge of their loved ones. Another example of this …
5. Alzheimer’s Disease – There are few experiences more tragic than to witness the loss of a loved one, into an irreversible loss of memory, and self.
6. Drunkenness – Then again, there are other “clinical” instances which aren’t so permanent, innocent, or readily explained.
7. More Than a Feeling – For some, it’s a matter of misunderstanding what love really is. Thinking that love is an emotion rather than a commitment, they interpret a loss of that sensation of being “in love” to mean that they no longer love the other person.
8. Separation – For all the sentimental declarations that love endures, lasts forever, etc., the reality is that it does need nurturing. Being apart for any length of time means having to work that much harder at keeping love burning.
9. Skewed Priorities – Life has a way of distracting us at times from those things that are really important. It may be time you left a slot open on your daily planner for love.
10. Changed Perspectives – Here is a situation where one or both of you have grown apart in some ways, leading you to forget what it was that had drawn you together in the first place. The love may still be there, but it doesn’t come as easily as it once did.

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Even the happiest couples can run into a serious roadblock when one person wants children and the other doesn’t, but broaching the subject can be sticky. Opening the discussion too soon can make your partner feel like they’re being rushed into very serious commitments, but avoiding the topic for too long can lead to disappointment. Here are ten ways to find out if your lover wants children in the future. 

1. Invite Them To Family Dinner – Dinners or other gatherings where the extended family will be together are a great way to expose your mate to the little ones in your family. If they ignore the kids altogether, they might not be interested in any of their own.
2. Take a Trip to The Park – A romantic day at the park can also serve as a barometer for parental instincts. If your lover avoids the kids or seems irritated by them, they might not be parent material.
3. Point Out Cute Kids – The next time you’re enjoying a shopping trip or dining out with your honey and you spot a particularly adorable tyke, point them out. If they seem disinterested or change the subject, starting a family might not be on their to-do list.
4. Talk About General Plans For the Future – Asking your sweetie where they see themselves in ten years or what their long-term goals are might turn up the answers you’re looking for. If they want children in the future, they’ll probably say so in their response.
5. Mention Friends’ Children – Talking about your friends’ kids can elicit a response from your significant other in a general sense; if you relay a particularly cute anecdote, they may mention how they’re looking forward to children of their own one day. Conversely, they may firmly state that they never want kids.
6. Start a Discussion About Birth Control – The issue of birth control is one that every couple has to address; it’s a great opportunity to say things like, “I want children one day, but definitely not yet.” Statements like this can get the conversation off the ground without feeling like you’re pushing too hard.
7. Visit Friends or Family in the Hospital After a Birth – Few things stir up the parental instincts like a newborn. If a friend or family member has a new baby, bring your mate along for the visit. Simply seeing new parents in action might cause the conversation to develop naturally.
8. Pay Attention To Their Language – The words that a person uses and their inflection can often clue you in to their thought processes. When the subject of children comes up, watch their facial expressions and listen to the way they speak. If their tone is derisive or disgusted, it’s a good sign that they’re not interested in parenting.
9. Observe How They Interact With Their Nieces and Nephews – While introducing your mate to the little ones in your family can give you some clues, their behavior can be colored by the desire to make a good impression or anxiety from meeting the whole clan. Watching how your lover interacts with the children in their own family can be more telling, as they’re likely to be more comfortable and genuine.
10. Just Ask – Taking the plunge and asking this question can be nerve-wracking, but so can analyzing their every move and trying to decode their statements. If becoming a parent (or not) is a deal-breaker for you, you should take the bull by the horns, so to speak.

In the early stages of a relationship, tackling the big issues can be a bit too forward. These situations might call for careful handling; however, if you’ve been together for quite some time, you should feel comfortable enough to talk about things that affect your lives and your future together.

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With the show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ becoming more and more popular as well as others like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ it is no wonder that people are getting back into dancing.  Is it safe to try all dances or are those that should be left to the professionals?  Check out 10 dances you should only attempt if you are a pro.

1. Knife-Fire Dance: This dance is performed by Cirque du Soleil, but it originated as a tribal dance of the Samoa tribe in Hawaii.  The dancers twirl knives and fire from the soles of their feet to their mouths in a rhythmic and sensual dance.  Due to the use of fire and knives this dance is one better left to the pros.
2. Sword Belly Dancing: Yes, they use real swords while they are belly dancing.  These swords are balanced on their heads or across their stomachs adding a sense of danger to their exotic belly dancing moves.  Some dancers will use more than one sword during a dance to increase the level of danger.  Don’t try this at home.
3. Fire Dancing: This can be any dancing done with fire added to it, but some dancers feel like fire dancing is an art and they do more than twirl some batons of fire while running around the stage.  They respect the fire and let it do its own dance and they work with the fire to create thrilling and imaginative dance routines.  These routines are well rehearsed and the professionals are very careful with their preparations to perform with fire.
4. Fire belly dancing: Related to both fire dancing and sword belly dancing, but something totally different.  Fire belly dancing incorporates fire breathing into the dance along with fire baton twirling and balls of fire on chains that are spun around all the while doing a beautiful exotic belly dance.  This dance combines the thrill and excitement of fire with the elegance of belly dancing.
5. Bull fighting: To many this may not seem like a dance, but it is.  The matador has to use his skill to make the audience forget the danger that at any moment the bullfighter may be killed by the bull and show only the dance and ritual of the bull fight.  The Pasodoble is a popular ballroom dance that was created to further refine the dance that the bullfighter does with the bull.
6. Khanjluri: A Georgian folk dance whereby the dancers have to perform very precise and technical moves with daggers.  Seeing as the daggers are sharp these performers have to be well-trained and skillful.  Not a dance for beginners.
7. Mosh Dancing: Mosh dancing is done in a mosh pit and involves bouncing off other dancers often in an aggressive manner.  If you are not a pro I would not try mosh dancing because it can get very dangerous.  Depending on what kind of music you are dancing to and the level of drunkenness this mosh pit may turn violent in a hurry.  Not for the faint of heart or the beginner.
8. Pole dancing: Not exactly everyone’s cup of tea, but there are those out there that may think they can go jump on a pole and hang upside down.  Pole dancing takes a lot of practice and strength or you could fall on your head and break your neck.  It takes so much strength that they are actually now teaching pole dancing at a way to get fit.  I am certain that you don’t hang upside down on your first lesson.  And contrary to what you are thinking, pole dancing does not occur just in strip clubs.  Ever hear of Cirque du Soleil?
9. Ballet dancing on pointe shoes: Dancing on pointe is something that it takes ballet dancers years to be able to do.  The strength of your feet have a lot to do with how well you can stand or dance on pointe.  Most professional ballet dancers spend most of the time on pointe and it’s very hard on their feet.  It is quite stunning to watch a ballet dancer move across the stage dancing on pointe.  Definitely not a beginner dance.
10. The Pogo: While jumping up and down isn’t hard to do the rest of the dance is better left to those that have done it a lot.  This dance came out in the punk and Goth scene and is made up of aggressive angry moves designed to hit other dancers.  Many dancers end up with serious injuries.  This dance is not for beginners.  I’m not sure it should be for anyone.

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For centuries, Romeo and Juliet have been synonymous with love and passion. Comparisons are almost inevitable whenever we consider our own romantic fortunes. So, how does your love life stack up in comparison to our Shakespearean maiden, the young Capulet? Let’s break it down. Here are the ten reasons you’re no Juliet:

1. At the tender age of thirteen, Juliet had discovered, fallen in love with, and married the love of her life. You, at age thirty-five, are often undecided between a Friday night date and CSI:NY.
2. Juliet was willing to forsake her family, social status and fate for her true love, Romeo. You need a consensus among six friends, your horoscope, a psychic, and Dr. Phil before giving out your phone number.
3. Juliet feigned death in order to escape being wed to Paris, her suitor. You feign having the flu in order to escape wedding invitations.
4. Juliet is the daughter of aristocracy, a product of high social status. Your family is so blue-collar that until you were 18, the only union with men you ever knew about were the Teamsters.
5. Juliet rejected the worst reports about Romeo’s character, and chose to trust her intuition, and Romeo himself. You, in contrast, won’t even do lunch without first conducting an online background check.
6. Her love for Romeo was so intense that Juliet, upon seeing him dead, plunged a dagger into her own heart. You fairly faint at the sight of a syringe, and so have never so much as donated blood.
7. Juliet, in the span of four days, exhibits a steely determination to pursue this, her love of a lifetime at all costs. You, on the other hand, would need that long to decide on a pair of shoes.
8. Juliet develops from a naive child into a self-assured woman through her love affair with Romeo. That pretty much works in reverse for you, when it comes to romantic interests.
9. Marriage is not a priority for Juliet, despite the urgings and manipulations of her parents. You are constantly reminded that all of your friends have married, and are tired of being the proverbial ‘fifth wheel’ at parties.
10. On the plus side, you’re willing to wait until the right guy comes along, without killing yourself in the process; and you have the love and support of your family in doing so.

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Most people (at least most women) enjoy a good love story. We swoon at the romantic parts and cry during the heartbreaking parts all in nervous anticipation of a happy ending. There have been oh so many romantic novels written and read ever since pen has been put to paper. Several romances have endured the test of time and have become true classics that most people have either read or at least heard of. Even though these stories have been enjoyed for generations, how many of these fictional couples could actually make a go of it in real life? Here are 10 literary romances that I feel would never work outside the covers of their books.

1. Romeo and Juliet – Probably the most well known romantic classic is Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet. We all know that the young couple meets with a tragic end, but what if they had survived? Chances are the animosity between their two families would have been too much for the fated lovebirds to overcome.
2. Catherine and Heathcliff – Wuthering Heights was a dark and disturbing romance by Emily Bronte. Childhood soulmates Catherine and Heathcliff don’t fare much better than Romeo and Juliet, but we can’t help but wonder. If things had been different maybe they would have had a chance at happiness. Since both of these characters seemed rather mentally deranged, I rather doubt it.
3. Jane Eyre and Edwin Rochester – Written by Emily’s sister Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre does eventually have a happy ending, but can it last? The age difference is one obstacle and the other is the debilitating results of the house fire. How long before Jane starts rethinking her decision to marry the old cripple instead of the gallant missionary?
4. Quasimodo and Esmeralda – Even though Esmeralda had a heart of gold, things just would never have worked out between her and the Hunchback of Notre-Dame. The contrast between her beauty and his deformity were far too much of a liability. Eventually Quasimodo would have gotten in trouble trying to fend off potential suitors and ended up dead or in prison anyway.
5. Scarlett and Rhett – Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is another timeless classic set in the Civil War era. Even though Rhett does everything he can to gain the love and respect of Scarlett, by the time she realized her true feelings, he was ready to move on. It’s just as well because their two strong personalities would never have worked out.
6. Mr. and Mrs. de Winter – If you read the book Rebecca by Daphne du Maureir did you realize the main character didn’t have a first name? Her marriage to Maxim de Winter is continually haunted by the specter of his first wife Rebecca. Even though they remain married in the end how long could it last with her carrying the knowledge that her husband murdered his first wife?
7. Daisy and Gatsby – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald centers around Gatzby’s unrequited love for Daisy. Even if he had convinced Daisy to leave her husband, their relationship would have been doomed. Once Daisy found out Gatsby had spent all his money trying to get her attention, she would have been out of there.
8. Tristan and Isolde – Probably the oldest literary romance I know of is the story of Tristan and Isolde which has been told since medieval times. This classic love triangle probably influenced the tale of King Arthur, Guinevere and Sir Lancelot. Their love was powerful but would never have been enough to overcome Tristan’s loyalty to his surrogate father.
9. Cyrano and Roxane – Of course Roxane pledges her love for Cyrano in the end when she knows he’s about to die, but what a cop out. In reality, she would never have been able to get past his physical appearance. It was plain as the nose on his face that their romance was never to be consummated.
10. Jamie and Claire – A lesser known, but equally unlikely couple is Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series of books by Diana Gabaldon. Although an age difference does not always prohibit a relationship from working out, two centuries is a bit extreme. If Jamie was ever able to live a normal life with Claire in the 20^th century he’d be bored to tears without the constant struggle and turmoil of their 18^th century escapades.

The intense conflict that makes a good romance appealing is what would destroy a relationship in real life. Once the couple settles down to live a normal life, the boredom starts to set in. Unrequited passion and love triangles are great for romantic plots, but tough to overcome in reality. We’re all better off with our normal, sometimes boring partners and leave the fiery romances for works of fiction.

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