On Falling in Love & "Prenuptial Panic"

"Falling in love is something people can't really do until they first learn the skills of friendship."

"One of the greatest pains of love is that one of us always gets there first and must patiently wait for the other to catch up. We can work on our friendship skills while we are waiting. We dare not try to fall in love in order to be made happy. We get happy, and then we fall in love to share it."

"Anyone who doesn't feel a bit of panic at the point of making such a total permanent commitment either doesn't mean it or is not paying attention. Yet years later, in the throes of an old, open conflict or a new, secret romance, those who would run from their marriage always remember the sprint not taken on their wedding day. They don't realize it is universal. The function of all the well-dressed wedding guests is to keep the bride and groom from cutting and running..."