Dating Handicapping: Loyalty

Football season is among us and for the life of me I don't know what team to route for. Usually I route for individual players. I am the most fair weather fan. There are diehard fans that bear through the darkest times. For my family, they are such die hard Steelers fans you would think my last name is Rooney (owner of the Steelers).


For most loyalty in relationships refers to commitment. Are you fair weather in the relationship or do you have the commitment to weather most storms? Or maybe if you’re crazy fanatical or you are cheering for a lost cause? How do you know if it is a rough patch or a losing cause?

The important thing to remember is relationships are not a game. You can't turn off the television, hurl insults at your spouse or cheer for our lover to be crushed by an opposing defense. You can't lock yourself in your room and cry when you lose a fight (although some do) and you can't drink until you can't stand (although some do). That behavior although suitable for football; is not suitable for relationships.

You see; in football, Oakland Raider fans should consider routing for another team if not for self respect alone. And if you’re New England patriot fan you must realize the fantasy is over and it is time to cheer for a real team. And being a Dallas Cowboy fan when you live in Des Moines Iowa is kind of like having a crush on a superficial Hollywood celebrity. But then you may be diehard Denver Bronco fan weathering the hard times until your next championship. You’re loyalty should be in check with you the quality and the reality of your relationship.

The question is even a team if your favorite would you bet on them to win. Funny how we stand by teams knowing they are a losing cause. How far do we go with our loyalty in a losing love match when we could ultimate find our winning contender? If we value not only commitment in love, but the content of our love, it is a question we must all ask.