"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference."—Robert Frost

"Maria Elena used to say that only unfulfilled love can be romantic."—Juan Antonio, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Romantic life offers several possible paths. Three major ones stand out: the road continuously taken, the road never taken, and the road partially taken. The third—an incomplete romantic experience—contains love, but not its full fulfillment. It is unfinished business, emotionally charged, and inherently exciting.

1. The Road Continuously Travelled: Bringing Out the Best in Each Other

"You make me want to be a better man."—Melvin Udall, As Good as It Gets

Profound love is about the desire to live with a partner who can thrive in a mutual relationship. Sometimes, life wins out over love, and one partner may say, "I will always love you, but we cannot flourish together." Profound love isn’t always synonymous with long-term love; some couples divorce despite deep affection.

The heart of enduring love is the capacity to bring out the best in each other. When partners realize staying together blocks their personal growth, the need to flourish can outweigh the emotional bond.

Although it’s easy to focus on negative qualities, recognizing positive ones is equally important. The ability to help each other become their ideal selves—the........

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