Best Friends make the best life partners

I believe that the phenomenon of romance and love is a big sham.. driven
by marketing honchos. For a longstanding and happy relationship it is essential that both husband and wife be friends first. Most people conveniently forget this or sweep this under the carpet of LOVE. A relationship is not only about chocolates and balloon shaped hearts. It is also about the couple's life together: how they are with each other, do they have a deep sense of respect hidden underneath all the teasing and fooling around? or is it just a desire of the flesh? are they themselves with their partner or putting on a gentlemanly / ladylike act?

With a friend you need not put on a act. He/she knows what you are, has been with you through fights, misunderstandings, ups and lows, knows more about you than yourself. What else do you want for a marriage to work?