My Soul Mate.

Sarah Glick

ENG102 11:40

April 7

My Soul Mate

“For man is created in the image and likeness of God who is himself love” (Catechism). Love is an unconditional virtue, a virtue that many men and women strive to achieve within their lifetime. Every person on this earth was made to be with another, and to share the joys of a life together. There seems to be a point in every relationship, where it is questioned whether or not the current kinship shall be everlasting, or soon void. As this situation is questioned, it becomes simple to ponder the exact reasons of why the relationship is. It is believed that a relationship should be based on friendship, love and loyalty.

First, while friendship is not always a base to any relationship, it is simple to see why it should be. Friendships are known to last throughout a lifetime. It is shown that 3% of the people met in elementary school are friends for an entire lifetime (source). Friendship proves that two people hold similar characteristics and believe in one another as a source of companionship. It is very important that two people feel security in the relationship, friendship is the ultimate lock that holds this down. Friendship is the first step in courtship. Once two people have grown to know each other and accepted everything positive and negative in the other, the next level is quite easy to purse. Trust and love are a firm base for any friendship, as well as any kinship. Some people tend to shy away from this beginning stage of a courtship, believing is what some call “love at first sight.” Although this could be a very realistic option, it seems quite unfeasible. Many find romance to come quite simply, without the need to court or find a friendship first. In fact, 43% of American’s believe in “love at first sight” (source). The effect however, of this formation of a relationship is not healthy. People should understand, and realize that trust and friendship come before any other step in courtship.

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Second, while love is not always the solid reason for a relationship, it is quite easy to understand why many believe it should be. Love is a complicated word. Many define love in completely different ways, allowing for the definition of a relationship to take on a complex meaning. To the traditional relationship, love is defined as undying passion and companionship to a significant other. It means, giving up everything for someone else, and allowing for total venerability. If this factor is present in a courtship, assuming that it will become a long lasting relationship is easy to assume. Many who acknowledge their undying love do not allow turmoil to fail a relationship. Giving up and allowing a relationship to break apart is not an option. However, this traditional relationship is not seen in modern society as abundantly as the past. People are getting married simply because the two have a baby together. Others go find a peace of justice, and marry on impulse rather than for love. These current situations are having a drastic effect on divorce rate in America. According to recent studies, the divorce rate has been climbing for the past 8 years. Since divorces are becoming so common, the people see marriage as less binding, something that can be undone as quickly as it was set. This effect is a horrible fact of modern society, people need to redefine their definition of love and learn that the past can be relived.

Third, while some don’t understand the complete meaning of loyalty, others commit their lives to it. Loyalty is defined as: feeling or attitude of devoted attachment and affection (Webster). A relationship is “attachment” to another person. Lacking this principle simply means that there is a lack of relationship. The definition uses the word “devotion,” by using this term, it is expressing the need to commit to one single person, to give everything to one. Devoting a lifetime to one person is not a simple task, which is why a relationship should not be taken lightly. When a person is committed to a relationship, he should be completely loyal to the other. However, once again, modern society has a lack of emphasis on this quality. It is almost socially acceptable to be unfaithful to a spouse or significant other. Men are 67% more likely to cheat, than women (source), this coming in a time when the divorce rate is climbing to exceptionally high levels. Loyalty is an excellent attribute for any person to possess. Allowing this quality to slip through is effectively destroying any chance of a relationship. If there is no loyalty, then the trust and love is all lost, and the relationship is left crumbled to rebuild. These horrible effects of unfaithfulness are becoming more and more common, the better option is to grip the quality of loyalty and hold on.

In conclusion, it is believed that a relationship should be based on friendship, love and loyalty. All of these three attributes combine to cause a wonderful relationship. However, some chose not to accept these, and the effect is a burdened relationship, complete with all the stresses that come with it. Although the past records hold fewer divorces, it is not guaranteed that those relationship were not better off separate, it is guaranteed however that those relationships were more likely to show friendship, love and loyalty to one another. Society needs to understand that freedom is a wonderful thing, however what is chosen of this freedom will matter in the end. If it is chosen to not befriend another or give love, then he will live a lonely life. Rather if it is chosen to be unfaithful to another, it is seen that nothing positive will result. Friendship, love and loyalty are wonderful attributes that any person should be grateful to possess.