Could "happily ever after" be the stuff of fairy tales?
A new study shows many people have not ended up with the true love of their life. But can you learn to love the one you're with, as the old Stephen Stills song advised, instead of being head-over-heels?
Some people say they don't have that problem. Nicci Schock and Rich Bean are among them.
"We started out as friends, which I think was a good thing for us in the end," said Schock.
Schock said Bean is the love of her life, and he says the same is true for her.
"I am definitely with the love of my life," said Bean.
But according to the new study, Schock and Bean are in the minority. The study conducted by Siemens Festival Nights found that as many as 73 percent of people surveyed say they are "making do" in their relationship because their true love got away.
"The 'making do' part is sad, in the sense of, we're not really tapped into, 'Why are we in this, what are we looking for long term, and what do I really desire?'" said relationship expert Kavita Patel.
Patel said people settle for many reasons, from fear of being alone to wanting security and comfort with another person - anyone.
"Well, it's better to be with somebody than nobody. I think that comes up for people," said Patel.
What's worse, 17 percent of respondents said they met their soul mates when it was too late - after they were already paired-off or married.
And 46 percent say they'd leave their spouse or partner to be with their true love.
"I would hope that people would fight for their one true love," said one woman.
"The grass is always greener," said another woman.
"There are no guarantees. You know, that could be unrequited in the end, but I think it's brave of them, and I think that they should. I'm for it," said a man.
A clinical psychologist said the couples are focusing on what they have - not what might have been - might not be the best idea.
"They consider the good reasons for staying and not necessarily the fact that you're enduring and the things you thought that you were missing," he said.
And once you've made an investment, some say it might be better to stick it out.
"There is always a way to make it better," said Patel.
Patel said communication is key, even if it's talking about tough subjects such as feelings of unhappiness within the relationship.
"It requires you letting them in on those deeper secrets, or deeper thoughts that are going on for you that you're scared to reveal, that will allow you to connect further," said Patel.
Schock said she is glad she held out for happily ever after.
"I've always kind of had it in my mind, though, that I wouldn't settle," said she.
"We're really fortunate to have found each other," said Bean.
The study, of 2,000 people in London, also found that 75 percent of adults say their definition of love changes as they get older.
Nah, the Madonna song isn't worth it, but the new Pink one seems to apply:
Sometimes I hate every single stupid word you say
Sometimes I wanna slap you in your whole face
There's no one quite like you
You push all my buttons down
I know life would suck without you
At the same time, I wanna hug you
I wanna wrap my hands around your neck
You're an asshole but I love you
And you make me so mad I ask myself
Why I'm still here, or where could I go
You're the only love I've ever known
But I hate you, I really hate you,
So much, I think it must be
True love, true love
It must be true love
Nothing else can break my heart like
True love, true love,
It must be true love
No one else can break my heart like you
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But for a taste of 'true love' that has been around for a while, there's none better perhaps than Pat Dailey's "You're There":
Each time I need a trusted friend
You're there
With tears to dry and a heart to mend
You're there
And when I'm down in misery
And the whole world turns its back on me
And I need some loving symptahy
You're there
And when I'm weary and tired of trying
You're there
If I need a shoulder I can cry on
You're there
And sometimes when I come home
With a heavy heart
And weary bones
And I need a little time alone
Um... you're there
I want to turn the stereo on
But you're there
I got to get in to use the john
But you're there
When I wake up lovingly
And turn on my pillow hoping to see
Kim Basinger smiling back at me
You're there
This is more of a good thing
Then I ever planned
How much damn togetherness can one man stand?
I want to flop down in my favorite chair
But you're there
I can't see in the mirror to comb my hair
Cause you're there
And when I wanna a little snack at night
I sneak down to the fridge to get a little bite
I see a big fat ass just blocking out the light
Cause you're there
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Now, isn't that 'true love'? One's definition changes from moment to moment, and isn't that 'special'?