Scriptural Love

Dear Peter and Molly,
My roommate and I are having a fight. She's dating this guy who's company she likes, and he's super sweet, and even good looking, they have a lot to talk about, and he's a super hard worker. My roommate though keeps talking about breaking up with him, not because of anything he did, just because she doesn't feel butterflies when he walks in the door. I tried to tell her that romantic love is basically a new idea, and that real love doesn't need to have those butterflies, and that no where in the scriptures does it talk about romantic love, but she disagrees saying that of course the prophets fell in love, like Sampson. What do you two think?
Thanks,
No Fairy Tale for Me

Fairy Tale, I think if your roommate wants to break up with someone you should let her do whatever she wants, and since it sure sounds like you have a thing for the guy, as soon as he's free you should definitely go after him. On the more interesting question though, you're right, romantic love is a new idea that we've bought into. The scriptures never tell us to love our spouse before we marry them, just to love them with all our heart after we're married.

On the first part, I agree with Peter. I just don't understand why roommates think they have a say in one another's personal lives regardless of how ridiculous they are being. Friends have speaking power, but no voting power, so just let her be. I completely disagree on the second part though, having an authentic romantic attraction to someone is important. It is that attraction that can help you get through the inevitable difficult days of marriage.

Oh, and Sampson's a terrible example for anything. That's like saying well David slept with Bathsheba so it can't be that bad. I agree that attraction is important, though not necessary, but the guy is physically attractive,  it sounds like there's this idea that "yeah I think you're hot, but I'm still not attracted to you" what is missing, he's a good guy, a good partner, and good looking, there's no magic X factor.

Peter, there is and it's called love. You're right Sampson's not a good example, but he's not the only one. Listen to this, a quote straight out of the bible, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine." That's not platonic charity love, that's romance and it's right there.

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