Passion and romance are not constants in a love relationship.

If it were not for the constraints inherent to most marriages (e.g., financial, spiritual, impact upon the children, etc.) many marriages would not endure long enough to restore the reasons why the marital commitment was made in the first place. That is why the commitment factor is so predictive of marital survival.

The loss of passion and romance is such a common phenomenon that song writers have capitalized upon it as a theme that is highly marketable. Consider the list of contemporary songs below as a sample. See if you can think of others. Just remember that normal doesn’t necessarily mean healthy.

Marital therapy is designed to assist couples in recovering those lost feelings and preventing them from slipping away again.

“You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling”
-The Righteous Brothers

“You Don’t Send Me Flowers Anymore”
-Neil Diamond & Barbara Streisand

“The Thrill Is Gone”
-B.B. King

“Where Has Our Love Gone?”
-The Supremes

“Total Eclipse Of The Heart”
-Bonnie Tyler

“Home Ain’t Where His Heart Is Anymore”
-Shania Twain

“I Don’t Care Anymore”
-Phil Collins/Genesis

“Now That The Magic Has Gone”
-Joe Cocker

“How Do You Like Me Now?”
-Tobi Keith

“Where Is The Love”
-Black Eyed Pea

Written by William Berman, Ph.D.