Beloved Reader,

After much thought and research, I have come to the conclution that true and etermal love is sick and dying.

Especially in the United States, divorce rates have been increasing and increasing. I fear for the generation of my parents, for i wonder if they will truely find hapiness, or utter junk called materialism. Well, not that I accuse everyone over 35 of being greedy, but they cannot seem to get the fact that all it is is temporary rubbish. I've asked my mother about why divorce raters were so low a century ago, and she says it was because women could not work and they needed financial stability. In other words, they were trapped. I have been foolish enough to base my thoughts of true love on marriage. Now I cannot understand whether it is a blessing or a burden.

I noticed that in failed marriages, the two spouses generally are immature, unsure and at times selfish. Men, the base for the ideal wife is one who can cook, clean, take care of children, satisfy his biological urges and is overall attractive. They seem inconsiderate of how women need to be independent, especially in these times. They still cannot fathom how women are not always impressed with money and all that glitters while they spend time away from home. Women get lonley, so it will take a lot more than that when it comes to happiness. However, Women at times can be worse than men. Women gladly give men the impression that all they are is one who cooks, cleans, gives birth, ect. Women gladly give men the impression that all we need is pretty jewels and money. Although the majority of women have jobs now and act more independent, they still swoon over trivial things like that. Then it comes, usually when they are over 35, that they aren't so young anymore, and that they aren't so impressed with materials. This is when they realize, "Whoops. I guess I'm not really happy like this". They act colder to their husband, who still is in a little shock on how giving them items now won't be enough. In turn, they get more angry with the colder attitudes from their wife, who claim that they have been treated coldly the whole marriage. The few kids they have together still do not know what is happening. They go to marriage counciling and try to make things work. However, it does not, and they separate. One moves into a different house and pursues his/her lifestyle that he/she desires. Like Edna in The Awakening, she realizes that this life is much better. He realizes this too, as the couple grow farther and farther apart. And then the papers come, they get a lawyer and the tell the news to their children.

This happens because they were foolish enough to forget to speak up. They had masks on their entire time they were together and they realize too late to remove it. One of my favorite fairy tales of all time is Beauty and the Beast. I find it so beautiful because the beauty, or belle thanks to Disney, sees the true face of the beast. No masks, no deception, no shallow desires. Reality has a different twist. The women, representing beauty, believe that her spouse has already revealed his "inner beast" to her. However, to much dismay, she finds something more cold and more terrible than what she though was true. And she remains silent.

The message I send to the older generation is that when your spouse shows you a side you cannot live with, tell them, and chances are it will disapear in time. My mother failed to do this with my father, and now they are dealing with marital problems.

To the men of the older generation: remember, although women enjoy independence, money and gifts WILL NOT compensate your absence. Spend time with your wife/girlfriend. Be her friend. (and no i do not mean constantly shoe shopping and watching chick flicks.) But talk to her. It should not be a nuisance if you love her. It never should be a nuisance to talk to your wife. But tell your daughters how men will not always be romantic constantly and how they make many sacrifices. This way, they will not always expect a knight, but a human being.

To the women of the older generation: remember, speaking up should not hinder a marriage but help it. Never give him the impression that his actions are okay when it is not. If he loves you, he'd gladly change. But remember that he also cannot deny his true person. So learn to live with the traits that he has, so long as it does not thwart him treating you with respect and love. But in return, give to him as he has done to you. He has made sacrifices, so if there are certain traits he finds unfavorable, please give them up, so long as it does not deny your person. Tell your sons how women need independence and deserve to be treated with respect. Teach them independence. This way, they will understand the concept and therefore won't expect to marry a mother/maid figure, but a human.

To my generation and generations not yet born, my message is for you as well.

To the Boys: Remember how girls will eventually tire of the glamor and glitz they see at first in a boy. When they look for something more, they may find nothing. So be compassionate. Be there. Sacrifices are inevitable in relationships, but are worth while when you are in love. Remember that love must also be proven to her, not just said.

To the Girls: Remember how this is not a fairy tale. Love comes with obstacles and pain. Chances are that you will not find the knight in shining armor. However, you must have something more than just beauty and charm. He may look past all that and he may find nothing. Be comassionate. Be there. You too will have to make sacrifices. You too may have to prove your love.

But both genders must stay true to themselves, for if you wear masks, the other may not like what is beneath. Sacrifice the small things, but keep the most important. Keep in mind why you fell in love. Never forget. It's too late for my parents. Not for you yet.

This, I believe, is the cure for the love that is dying.