On this annual, commercialized tribute to love, it is appropriate to acknowledge that there is a dark side to this complex human emotion. As most of us come to learn, love is not always a two-way street and unrequited love is one of the more devastating of human experiences.
While the character of romantic love evolves through the course of a prolonged relationship, molded by the trials and tribulations of human intimacy and family responsibilities, the intensity of unrequited love endures, locked away in the safety of our mind. Cleansed of defects by the protective nature of human memory, its glory is sustained and embellished over the years and its loss can become a source of regret and self-indulgence, especially for those whose self-esteem is closely tied to relationships.
Welling up on certain dates or ignited by specific triggers such as songs, movies or places, this unrequited love can become an obsession, menacing our lives and, in some cases, leading to depression. While there is no cure for this human malady, love from another and, hopefully, a lasting romantic relationship, will help to place the original loss in proper perspective. As Don Henley advised in his hit single, it's all about forgiveness, for the love you lost and for yourself.
