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Affairs of the Heart

© Michele KayD

In last week's article, Titanic Tribute, the beauty in the tragic yet lifelong love of Jack and Rose was highlighted. As noted, no matter where two lovers' individual paths may lead, a mutual heart and soul bond very likely still will go on.

In the movie, Rose was actually engaged at the time she met and fell in love with Jack. She clearly didn't love her fiancée, however. Consider what would have happened to the character had she chosen to uphold something that was "intended" rather than to honor her heart.

Sometimes, two people end up together because they believe that is the best there ever can be, but then find themselves faced with the prospect of love on the highest level-soulmate kind of love. In the movie, Rose chose to take that chance with Jack, even though it wasn't what some others believed was best or what was "right." As it turned out, however, Rose never regretted that decision throughout her entire lifetime. On the contrary, she held the love within her heart and soul, never losing sight of its magnitude. Despite the cruelty found in many realities, she kept that fateful love alive through her own life.

Of course, a true affair of the heart is not comparable to meaningless sexual conquests. In fact, the term "affair" just doesn't seem fitting when those involved are really "love-ers." Promiscuity, desiring the act of sex and the thrill of the chase, is simply not the point here. These are two people who find themselves completed through a deep, soulmate-like bond, despite the fact that they (or one of them) are previously committed to another relationship.

In a modern day portrayal of affairs of the heart, a recent episode of Ally McBeal touched on this issue. In this particular scene, Ally was defending a man whose wife fell in love with another man and then left her husband to be with that man. Ally gave a powerhouse closing argument in the courtroom about how, when two people love each other so incredibly, there is simply nothing that will keep them apart. They fell in love, although as usually is the case, neither sought nor thought something like this would ever happen to them. It undeniably found them, and they just couldn't push it away.

It's not easy for the ones involved, but when you truly love there is no explanation; there's no justification. Yes, it hurts to find out someone you are devoted to has found a greater love, but there's nothing in this world that will ever change the reality. When pure love touches two people that way, there's no denial or reasoning. Perhaps holding onto something just for the sake of holding on, is the true crime. Maybe the other person in the committed relationship could also find that kind of love. Sometimes staying together is merely selfishly holding each other back from finding true happiness.

The copyright of the article Affairs of the Heart in Romantic Relationships is owned by Michele KayD. Permission to republish Affairs of the Heart in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.