Lovers

I like love. It’s an interesting concept. Relationships are also very interesting. I’m especially intrigued by the concept of partner selection and monogamy.

For example, some people choose as a partner and up marrying someone from their own hometown without ever having lived in another city, state, or country. Compatibility is one facet of partner selection, which can be defined as shared set of mutual and/or complementary lifestyles, values, or interests.

Based on that very specific criteria, isn’t it kind of absurd to think that the person selected in your hometown is the most compatible individual for you (since it’s a matter of probability: less people you’re exposed to = less pool of potential compatible individuals)? One might argue that absolute compatibility isn’t the goal, but isn’t getting along a very crucial element to relationship success? Maybe it’s my assumption that compatibility equates to getting along, but it seems like people who share something have a vested interest in it and may be more inclined to protect it. Therefore, the more you have in common the more you will likely get along.

I find myself playing out these mental exercises from time to time. Love is an amazing topic to try to deconstruct because there are so many variables to consider. However, the above painting is not a meta analysis of love. It’s just my rendering of two images I found online, which I believe to be medieval in nature (I could be wrong). I felt the concept embodied the light pillowy feeling of love coupled with the stern seriousness of commitment, which is my perception of what relationships are.