I drove my kid sister to my parent's last night, and- on my way back to our apartment- I happened to catch the tale end of Lovers and Other Strangers, my favorite radio program. They recite poetry and short stories on different literary themes, interspersed with modern music that accompany the pieces nicely.

This show was apparently on the fleeting quality of Romance. There was a study done recently that practically guaranteed the fact that romance lasts eighteen to thirty-six months, and then it's down to a day to day grind that includes nothing of love.

I tend to strongly disagree. On December 1'st, my sweetheart and I will have been together for two years. There has been nothing of a "day to day grind" that suffused any moment we have spent together. We have grown deeper and deeper in love- the exact opposite of what the study claims.

I am a perpetual romantic- but there may be a logical explanation to our romance. Jenn and I lived in a long distance relationship. We were separated for long weeks- long, painful weeks that I can recall all too clearly. The pain I felt during that time was heart breaking. I do not think that I will ever be able to forget exactly what I wanted, so very, very badly... and exactly what I could not have.

We wrote letters and emails, we called each other every day... but a human is mortal- made of flesh and blood. These things were not embraces or kisses. They were paper. They were flickering screens, or soft whispers on a phone line that measured hundreds of miles. They were not what we craved. Or needed.

A long distance relationship has one good thing to it. You will never take for granted what you have... you will never take for granted a single moment in your beloved's presence... because you know it for what it is. A precious gift.

People that are going through hard times, or have difficult relationships because of selfishness... or lack of listening skills- or any other number of trivial, self-centered reasons... I only wish that they could have experienced a long distance relationship. I believe that the lessons learned from such a test and trial are invaluable.

I will treat my beautiful Pisces as the angel she is- because I know... exactly what she is worth.

She is perfectly priceless.

Maybe they should study that.