Some 31 years ago, plus or minus a month or two, my handsome date, who later became my handsome husband, stood in a long slow moving line with me and many others at the Madison Theatre in Peoria. We were waiting to see the much-hyped movie, Love Story, with Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal. Like most women in that line, I was very excited about the evening’s entertainment. The men’s enthusiasm was notably absent. Some appeared to be on a forced mission of mercy while others looked as though anyplace else would have held more appeal. The women seemed unconcerned about the masculine plight.

Even now I remember the show as excellent, romantic, and sad. And yes, along with millions of others, I still remember the famous or infamous line, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” At the time I thought the line was incredibly romantic. After learning more about genuine love, I realized the line was lame and appealed only to the naive.

Last year Oprah’s show featured the movie’s top stars for a reunion and retelling of the story. The clips they showed enticed me to rent the movie and see if the same attraction still lingered. Finding a copy at a video store was not easy. The lines of people from 40 years ago wanting to see it have shortened to a select person or two wanting to reminisce. After considerable phone calls, I located a copy in East Peoria.

Ali and Ryan were as charming and attractive as I remembered. It’s a bit difficult reading a book or viewing a film from “younger days,” and not seeing it with jaded eyes. Watching a story that I once thought was so romantic and passionate unfold four decades later is a good way to recall my thoughts and feelings from my youth. That’s not always simple so many years later when today’s hot topics often center around social security, the economy, and AARP. Sometimes those romantic stories from years ago seem dated and trivial. I miss enjoying them with love struck eyes and heart.

Society hurries everything along in today’s world of instant messaging and faster is better. Less than 48 hours after Santa Claus made his way back to the North Pole, many store shelves were sporting Valentine gifts and candy. Whoa! We just finished the season of giving and sharing, and we’re moved right on to love and romance. Ah, love doesn’t move so quickly. Infatuation does, and it’s a challenge making the distinction between the two. I grew up believing that love “happens” and doesn’t require much beyond an occasional touch with the nitty gritty of reality. Often more attention is focused on a wedding then a marriage. The former lasts a partial day; the latter can last a lifetime.

I miss believing that love alone can compensate for no money, family alienation, and life in a tiny rented apartment. And that was before illness entered the Love Story scenario. It’s pure pleasure rewatching movies from my youth and trying to recapture the appeal. It’s quite another matter living the romance and passion throughout changes, disappointments, and the continual challenge of rearranging priorities and promises.  Sometimes “I’m sorry” is the best response, especially when you’re living your own Love Story.