Romance is a very powerful state.  You can get quite swept up by it.  Everything around you can contribute to the feeling of romance, making your heart swell and your spirit soar, until...something destroys the mood.  Your mother-in-law leaves an audible message on the answering machine about her eczema while you're having passionate sex with your spouse.  You're sitting on a sun-warmed rock feeling the fine spray from the ocean waves on your face when some seagull excrement suddenly appears on your knee.  You're deep in the emotion of a Wagnerian opera when an audience member decides to exit and steps on your toe in the process.  Does this sound familiar?  Has something like this ever happened to you?

My son went on his first date with a new girlfriend this afternoon.  They walked to a restaurant to have an after-school meal.  Lucas had it all planned out to be nice and romantic so that she would be thoroughly won over.  Much to his dismay, he forgot to bring his wallet with him!  She was cool about it, and paid for both of their meals, but I know he was dying inside.

What has burst the romantic bubble for you?  Everyone has a story to tell, I'm sure.  Does one generally recover from such incidents, and build the romantic feeling back up?  Or is it like being awakened from a wonderful dream, such that you can never go back to sleep and continue it from where you left off?  Is the feeling of romance a fragile, delicate thing, that can easily be spoiled?  Or is it much bigger and more powerful than that?  I'll be fascinated to hear everyone's views and stories on this subject.