For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for June 10, 2009

And when John stopped shaving.

Maybe it was after the children were born.

The blazing evening campfire is beautiful, but it is the glowing bed of coals that keeps you warm all night.

Love comes in two speeds, and each has its joys.

Beautifully said, pschearer.

I think it was when John started hugging the bag of chips rather than Ellie.

Yes, I like that pschearer… :-)

Relationship graduate to different degrees and levels. If it stayed in the “hot burning passion” stage, NOTHING would get done and that star would burn out quick!

At the wedding.

Sometimes it does seem like we’re saying “I do” to comfortable evenings in front of the TV rather than passionate glances when we turn it off.

Runar is right. He gripes because she stopped wearing makeup but look at him sitting there with 5:00 shadow. No woman wants to kiss all that stubble, it hurts!

ladywolf17 is right, a lot of things are different when the kids come into the picture. you HAVE to make time for each other period

crazy kids…

Hey, can someone help me out? I’m a little new to this strip. Did Lynn start again from the beginning?

Real Love begins when the initial rush is over. No make-up, bad breath, beer bellys and flannel pajamas are just a part of the tapestry of a truly committed relationship.

Runar & Macushlalondra - it’s late evening … probably 9 or 10pm. You expect men to shave 2 times a day?

metawarr - yes, Lynn started over again, about a yr ago.

lol, and he looks so great first thing in the morning?

Elly and John didn’t have anything on their appearances i.e., no shaving, no make-up etc… in the evening or night. Maybe they just kick back and relax during peaceful time.

AllanVS and Metawarr, Lynn Johnston is part-retired but still works on her comic strips for FBorFW.

@gmartin - that’s why I’d love to have two bathrooms adjoining the master bedroom!

Today’s B.C. compliments this strip. Although ‘compliment’ is a strange word in that context!

I used to think I’d do that. Ha ha ha ha ! I don’t.

ouch

Lots of good thoughts here … but I think keeping the “fire” a blazing is a two way effort. Each can stoke it their own fashion, but if neither puts effort into keeping the fire aglow, then the embers smolder, leaving a diminished warmth between the two. Each has to remember to stoke the other’s fire….

AllanVS said,

“Runar & Macushlalondra - it’s late evening … probably 9 or 10pm. You expect men to shave 2 times a day?”

I always did. My 5 o’clock shadow showed up at about 3, so I kept an electric shaver in my desk at work.

it stopped when both are used to each others!

yeah, it’s all Ellie’s fault………..

good grief John, look in the mirror

When Eros flares out, just stoke up the Storge. Eros makes babies. Storge is the long term bonding common to all mammals. It is mediated by oxytocin and stimulated by touch. It bonds mothers to their babies. It is why hugs are so important between close friends and relatives. It is how stroking bonds small furry mammals to their caretakers. It is how a horse bonds to the rider. For details, look at the description of Karezza here: http://www.reuniting.info/

In brief, arrange to spend lots of time hugging with lots of skin contact, but with no expectation of mating by mutual consent (and avoiding the obvious triggers).

There is also Philios (friendship), which is stoked by heart to heart conversation and shared experience, and Agape - selfless commitment to the welfare of another.

unfortunately life gets in the way… work, kids, in-laws etc… it’s a lot of work to maintain romance when you’re tired.. sometimes the most loving thing anyone can do is to just understand

We’re at 30+years and going strong. Romance is for funtime/time off, love is everyday & all day. There is nothing more more loving than having the morning paper “delivered” with a cup of coffee by the first person up and having those peaceful few minutes together before the day officially begins.

Good for me! I don’t wear any make up at all, so my boyfriend will find me attractive in 20 years, too! XD