Is Love Real or is it a Hollywood Fantasy?
In my opinion, in a serious relationship between a man and a woman it works like this (simplistically stated). The woman wants security and money. The man wants fun and sex. If the security and the fun in the relationship grow and wax strong, then love develops a strong bond between the partners. Money and sex are insufficient to maintain a strong, positive relationship for an enduring amount of time. Admittedly there is a cross-over of wants between the woman and the man.
Before you call me crass and narrow minded, let me offer some additional thoughts.
Security equals: Fidelity, emotional support, kindness, encouragement, strong shoulder to cry upon, persistence regardless of problems, patience, freedom to be herself, and the knowledge that he will be there for her whenever she needs. In essence, she does not need to worry about his attitude or behavior with her.
Money equals: Financial support for her and children, bills paid, home and with pleasant decorations, transportation, food, shopping (a lady friend of mine said she likes "extreme sports" like "compulsive shopping") :-), entertaining with friends, and recreational opportunities.
Fun equals: Laughing, joking, teasing (properly), goofing off, ignoring social rules occasionally, acting like a kid (as if men ever grow out of being a kid), spontaneous actions, and doing something with no other purpose than to feel good and be happy.
Sex equals: Need I describe the basis in detail??? But also, a message of commitment (and if connected with fidelity the message goes both ways). Also fun, tenderness, intimacy, romance (the best romance some males can do is sex), emotional comfort, and peacefulness.
If a couple lives many years with this type of relationship which develops into true love, ultimately the relationship will become more bonded in an etherial manner. A caring which one cannot describe with words. And I do not care what you choose to believe, no relationship begins with this etherial bonding...no matter how strong you feel in the beginning, no matter your culture, your personality, your religion, your political beliefs, your philosophical opinions, your hopes and dreams.