I think it never finishes for anyone. That’s part of what I’ve realized: we’re all waiting for that HEA but there’s no “ever” to happiness. In Goethe’s Faust, Faust’s bargain with the devil is that in the second he is happy (it’s augenblicke in the text, or eyeblink), that’s when the devil will come to collect. That idea of happiness as an eyeblink really helped me understand why all we can do is keep hoping, and working (which is never over, because what we have to work on keeps changing) and doing our best to connect with different people. Romantic love is awesome and important, but so many types of love are necessary and equally important. Ironically, I’ve found that the more I concentrate on myself and my “other” relationships, the more easily romantic love falls into my lap (no double entendre intended). Anyway, that’s the long rambling answer. My short answer is love yourself, love others, and remember we’re all searching no matter our circumstances. xoxo