Happy love, sad love

The past weekend was really quite the lesson about love.

“!(imgcenter)http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/349182765_807094e04c_m.jpg!(*muaks*)”:http://www.flickr.com/photos/yannie/349182765/

On Friday, we attended Aldrin and Angie’s wedding dinner and that was the happy love part. When I flipped through their photo album and saw the gorgeous pictures taken during their beautiful wedding ceremony under the clear blue Melbourne skies, a lump formed in my throat, touched as I was by their happiness.

As they had said, it had been a whirlwind experience for them with wedding celebrations spanning three countries. But despite the frustrations, logistics nightmare and exhaustion, they remained positive and were able to enjoy their wedding.

I just hope that when it’s my turn to walk down the aisle, I will be surrounded by as many loving family members and supportive friends as they were. And, of course, that those same supportive friends will not sabo my poor other half too badly.

The sad love bit came a day later.

“!(imgcenter)http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/349200896_060c81ba9e_m.jpg!(Poor Romeo and his friends)”:http://www.flickr.com/photos/yannie/349200896/

Ever since I was young, I have always been grateful to my mum for giving me the freedom and independence to do the things I want to do. She’s never really stopped me from doing anything because she trusts that I will use my brains and not get myself into trouble. Because of that, I have no qualms talking to her frankly and letting her know when she has toed the line when it comes to me or Sista.

She has never interfered in my love life, believing that if I get hurt, it would only do me good because I would then have to learn to stand up again and be stronger. Hence, I have never really understood those with parents who forbid their children for entering into relationships or set them iron guidelines even at the age of 20.

While I do not agree with kids under the age of 18 getting into relationships (only a few strong ones last and my own experiences tell me that most 18-year-olds are not ready to handle maturity), I do think that it is sheer impossibility to rule over their lives in totality once they are in university. Parents should guide, not rule.

But my poor Romeo friend has to deal with precisely these issues. Is it worth it? All that emotional stress, especially when there is a possibility that it will be a tiresome, long-drawn affair?

I’ve come to learn that putting up a brave front in the face of a protracted love battle is useless. In the end, it’s always smarter to count your losses, leave and then move on.

But they are young and idealistic and energetic. Hopefully, everything will work out eventually, no matter which way it goes.