Just when I thought the thread was composed of endless misogyny, I came across your post. Bravo. It's not much like a romance novel at all. Unless you can find a romance novel where a couple stares loving at each other over plates of macroni and cheese, under the harsh flourescent lights of their cheap apartment.
Poverty never happens in romance novels. I haven't read any personally, but from I've gathered in casual conversation, everyone in romance novels is already successful by 23. Unfortunately, in the real world, success usually comes a bit later in life.
BTW, true love is waving to your wife as they wheel you into sugery, and you know that she's going to be there when you wake up.
I am glad you mentioned that.. Because IMNSHO I think these images of marriage in the media give people false expectations.. They focus on people who are continually happy and live their lives 5 minutes at a time.
Consequently, I think many people who do not respect the Covenant of marriage as God defines it are left with unrealistic hopes and misconceived notions of what marriage is in reality.
In short: They set themselves up to be continually dissapointed by using the media as a measure of what should constitute a "marriage" This dissapointment leads to marital failure.
Agree 100%, however I also must say I have never met any female of my age group who even remotely gives me such confidence in them.