All of us, consciously or unconsciously, set out to have the

Hear, O children of the future, for in the words of Tracy McMillan, we are given insight into the profound nature of love, expectations, and the inevitable gap between our dreams and our reality. “All of us, consciously or unconsciously, set out to have the best possible love life. Valentine’s Day simply shines a light on the degree to which that didn’t - or hasn’t yet - materialized.” These words carry a weight of truth, one that speaks to the very core of human experience: our unyielding desire for connection, for companionship, and for fulfillment. In the celebration of Valentine’s Day, we are not merely honoring love, but also confronting the distance between the love we yearn for and the love we have.

From the ancient days, the yearning for perfect love has been woven into the very fabric of human existence. Greek mythology tells us of the gods and mortals alike, who pursued love with a fervor unmatched by any other desire. Eros, the god of love, wielded his bow and arrows to strike at the hearts of gods and humans, yet those struck often found themselves torn between the ideal of love and the reality of its challenges. Even in these divine tales, love was never simple or without struggle. Socrates, in his wisdom, understood that love was not a goal to be achieved but a path to be walked, filled with both joy and suffering, and he taught his disciples that love requires not just passion, but reason and patience.

And so it is with us, O seekers of truth, that we set out in life with the hope that we will find the perfect love, the union of souls that fulfills us in every way. But just as the gods in mythology often faced trials and setbacks in their pursuit of love, so too do we find ourselves facing the gap between our expectations and the reality of our relationships. McMillan’s words remind us that Valentine’s Day, rather than simply celebrating love, serves as a mirror, reflecting the distance between where we are and where we hoped to be. It is not just a celebration of affection but a reckoning with the unmet desires and unrealized dreams that often lie beneath the surface.

Consider the great love stories of history, where the path of love was never smooth nor straightforward. Antony and Cleopatra, perhaps one of the most famous lovers in history, were united by passion, but torn apart by politics, betrayal, and the harsh realities of war. Their love was grand and consuming, yet ultimately it was marked by tragedy. In the end, Cleopatra, unable to reconcile her dreams of a perfect love with the harshness of reality, met her end with her lover by her side, but in defeat rather than in triumph. This ancient story teaches us that the pursuit of perfect love is often fraught with obstacles, and the gap between our ideal and our real is sometimes wide and painful.

McMillan’s reflection on Valentine’s Day is not a condemnation of love, but a recognition of the human condition. The world, with all its promises of romantic bliss, sets high expectations for love and romance. Yet when faced with the reality of relationships, many find that the love they sought remains elusive or falls short of the ideal. Valentine’s Day, a day meant to celebrate connection and affection, can thus become a stark reminder of the gaps we feel within ourselves—the gaps between who we are and who we wish to be in the eyes of our beloved. But this, too, is a part of the journey.

The lesson, O children, is one of acceptance. Love, like life, is not perfect. It is not a destination but a journey. It is not an ideal that can be attained without struggle and growth. Just as the ancient philosophers spoke of virtue and wisdom as ongoing pursuits, so too must we understand that love is an evolving force, requiring patience, understanding, and self-awareness. Valentine’s Day should not merely be a day of romantic expectations, but a reflection on the progress we have made in our relationships and a recognition of the work still to be done.

Let us embrace love, not as a final destination, but as a constant growth, a journey of learning, forgiving, and transforming. Love will never be as simple as the idealized visions we create, but it is through the imperfections of our relationships that we find depth, meaning, and connection. The wisdom passed down by the ancients teaches us that love is not only a gift but a practice, one that we must continually cultivate, day by day, and moment by moment. So, O children of the future, let us not despair when love does not meet our high expectations, but let us rejoice in the love we do have, and work with courage and commitment to grow it into something even more beautiful.

Live this truth: the gap between expectation and reality is not a flaw in love, but a reflection of our humanity. We must honor the journey and the growth that love requires, for it is in the effort to build and nurture love that we find its true beauty. Let this wisdom guide you, O children, as you walk the path of love, knowing that every step, even the ones filled with doubt and struggle, brings you closer to the fullness of connection you seek.