Interesting thread. I think it's fair to say that relationships by their very definition have evolved dramatically in the last 50 or so years. So much so, to the point where we obsess about them and are encouraged to obsess about them.
Let's face it, people justify intellectually, and buy emotionally. Magazines, product placements and TV all pander to one's emotions and what stronger emotion to cater to than the wealth of them tied up your intimate relationships?
The problem though, is that it has made amateur psychologists out of most us, and bad ones at that. Relationships are for the most part pretty simple. They're based upon not much more than respect, trust, and love. Bearing those three things in mind should be enough to help any couple navigate the potential pitfalls.
The tricky part I suppose is finding the person with whom things really are that damned simple. Life and love seem so much clearer then.
Seek simplicity and love you will find. Wait a minute? Did that really just come from my keyboard? WTF???