it used to be so uncomplicated. two people find out they love each other, exchange i love yous, stay together, get married have children. all that was needed was love for a couple to be together.

one person goes, i love you. the other goes i love you back. that was it. there were no other considerations except maybe for financial security or the parents' approval. the main ingredients being the couple and their love.

now when somebody says i love you, there is a "but" attached. "i love you...but i love somebody else." or "i love you...but you love somebody else". or "i love you... but some cosmic force is keeping us from being together" or "i love you... but you're not the one for me" or "i love you...but the timing is not right" or "i love you...but i don't want to be involved right now."

the list of "i love you buts" goes on and on and on.....

since when did the word "but" attach itself permanently to the much awaited phrase "i love you?" when did the i love you become a statement that gets said only when there is a disclaimer?


is it still love? what do you do when somebody you love says i love you and then goes back to his or her significant other? do you believe that person? do you say i love you back? do you even acknowledge the statement or brush it off as a flight of fancy?

all these questions. love has become so complicated. it's no wonder people keep separating.

don't you long for the day when somebody says i love you, you say i love you back. period. that's it. no explanations, no disclaimers. a mere exchange that guarantees happiness and comfort.

i know i do.