We need to face the fact that a satisfying life-long relationship requires work.

An old Persian philosopher was sipping tea one day when a friend came to speak with him. "I am about to get married!" his friend said. "I am very excited!" Then he asked the philosopher, "Tell me, have you ever thought about getting married yourself?"

"When I was younger," the philosopher said. "I used to think about it all the time. I very much wanted to get married; but I decided to wait for the perfect woman. I searched all over the world to find her. And finally I did. She was a beautiful creature with a brilliant mind."

"And did you marry her?" asked his friend.

"Alas," the philosopher said sadly, "she was looking for the perfect man."