I read this passage from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin at my sister’s wedding, nearly seven years ago.
I came across it again today, and it made such sense to me. It also highlighted how ignorant of love my ex was. To say you love someone who is your best friend, who you find attractive, who you “know you could have such a nice life with”, but to throw it away because you were not “completely in love”. Dumbass.
I was emailing an old friend today. He’s about ten years older than me, married, kids. I updated him on the pizza of doom, on the reasons my ex gave for it all. It made him angry. Firstly, because I rock. Which we all know is a true story. Secondly, because, “being completely in love takes years of work.” I have a feeling that is a true story too.
I would have put in the work. But I guess some people are just lazy.
Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two. ~ Louis de Bernieres
Pizza of Doom 
Too true. Falling in love is easy, it’s the ability to stay there that counts.
“Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.” Absolutely true.
That’s so beautiful ! X
A very insightful quote! Thank you for sharing.
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Sigh! MAJOR SIGH! Absolutely beautiful words. I wonder if all of us will find that kind of love and be able to keep it. Sigh.
Absolutely loved this passage.
“It’s both an art and a fortunate accident” – Love can be so many things, impossible to sum up in one definition, but this passage creates a sweet balance out of reality.
Thanks for sharing!