Ecstasy that’s only ended by marriage

THE ART OF BEING IN LOVE...

AH love . . . it’s like a summers day, warm and uplifting. It’s an irresistible glimpse of heaven, a friendship set on fire.

It’s like hot chocolate, sweet, tasty and bit sickly. It’s like war, easy to begin but hard to end.

You’ll know you’re in love by the intense feeling of affection and fondness you have for the object of your desire.

Your knees will be weak and your puppy dog eyes will suggest to everyone you meet that you’ve been hit by Cupid’s arrow.

Most people have their first taste of love as a teenager and it usually leaves them sick. Girls tend to fall in love with older boys and popstars, while boys fall for girls who are in love with older boys and popstars.

As you get older, you should know your limits a bit more.

When the stalking eventually pays off and your love is finally reciprocated, it has to be said it’s pretty fantastic.

Suddenly you understand why lovers skip across fields to reach each other. You realise love can conquer all and that anything is possible with this amazing person by your side.

Then they dump you and not even the promise of your mum’s best Spanish omelette can bring you round.

As Rod points out, the first cut is the deepest but you should get back on that horse. There are plenty more fish in the sea. It’s better to have loved and lost then never loved at all etc etc.

Plus, as your dad says, she’ll be a big un when she’s older.

Finding a love that lasts can be a challenge in the modern world because there’s so much choice. It’s not as simple as it was in the olden days when you just married your cousin.

Ideally, you’re looking for someone you fancy who makes you laugh, who’ll love you for being you and won’t try to stop you seeing your friends.

A good place to start the search is up town on a Friday night with the look of love in your eyes. The more you drink, the more desperate that look will become and the less fussy you’ll be.

If no one if falling for you, it may be that you have to start tripping people up. You can also try the internet but be warned, that model with a lovely personality you’ve found actually weighs 27 stone.

With a bit of luck, after trying on a few duffers, you’ll find the love of your life and unbridled happiness can reign.

The next logical step is to get married. After all, you can’t keep enjoying yourself forever. But marriage is another column.