I think the problem some romantics have on their cynical days is that the "work" necessary doesn't seem to be in alignment with the values one would associate with pilgrim souls and velveteen rabbits or other ideals or sentimental notions.

I'm not sure I am following you. My experience with this lack of wanting to "work" is with people that think that long term romance and love just "happens." The "work" I am thinking of specifically includes LOOKING for the best parts of your spouse, telling them often what you love about them, telling OTHERS what you love about your spouse, sharing your wants and desires (in love and in life!) with your spouse, keeping yourself full of passion toward your own life, etc.

To me, ironically?, these things seem very romantic in addition to being "work." I'm not sure how (or how not) my examples of work would fit in with the values of pilgrim souls, velveteen rabbits or other ideals/sentimental notions. Were we thinking of different "work"?



But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads? ~Albert Camus