ROMANCE COMES AND GOES, each time igniting a complex sequence of sparks that confuses us scientists to no end. Each time it comes, it enhances our surroundings so that the world appears magnificent, perfect, invaluable, and that funny shade of red.

The first two to enchant us came along around the same time, competing for our affections, forcing us to choose between them. They resided on opposite coasts and had personalities at once the same and very different. One had a smile to light up a room and the flare to make everyone better. The other had good timing and a thorough handle on the fundamentals. The final one to steal our heart had skills that marveled us and the drive to inspire us. All three expressed the importance of the game and made us enjoy it.

We came to knew these people so well, so far beyond the obvious, that we long for more of that depth, more of that openness. We miss knowing what that one person is going to do, knowing it so well, but still being amazed by how they do it and how well they do it.

But, alas, they are gone and have been for a while. Since then, we took a break from the game and it took a break from us. Now that the game continues, we find ourselves getting involved again, looking for other stars. So far, though, it is just a sequence of blind dates and bad dates that makes us just want to stay home each night and watch Matlock reruns. We've met a lot of people who can be "just friends". We've had a few dates who admit to just being in it for the perks. We've met players who have all the moves but cannot incite our passion.

No, we don't love this game right now. We know that we can love it again if we just continue to play. It may ultimately leave us empty again, but romance can only go away as often as it comes.