relationship snipers

relationship snipers
words of warning

♫ ♪ all the single ladies!
all the single ladies.
all the single ladies!
put your hands down. ♫ ♪

this post goes out to all my committed friends. to the ladies, gentlemen and queers who are shacked up- today, i share with you words of warning. there are snipers on the loose, and they are coming after you and your partner.

aesop taught us as children to be wary of the sheep in wolfs clothing; just as the wolf donned a jacket made of wool, the snipers true intentions are shrouded in a mask friendship. but don't be fooled, their purpose is a much darker one. these folks put healthy relationships in their crosshairs and attempt to dismantle them from within. unlike 'relationship vultures' who prey on weak or broken relationships- 'relationship snipers' seek out the robust and seemingly impenetrable couples...and aim for the jugular.

i recently witnessed the strike of a sniper on a friend's relationship and it was a heartbreaking tale to watch unfold. the initial relationship that fell under attack was one that had weathered many storms but seemed to have a solid footing. what began innocuously as a friendship between the sniper and one of the girls, slowly evolved into a close comradery. slithering into ones comfort zone is what these sassy minxes do best, by assuming the 'friend' role they gain access to your life and emotions. but at some point the dichotomy of the friendship changes, the sniper begins to demand more of their new friend. through guilt and peer pressure the snipers convince their victims that they need to be around each other, as if kindred spirits, and they become a more prominent fixture in the lives of their prey. not shockingly, my friend's relationship did not end on a high note. the sniper did in time dismantle and undermine my friend's former affair. after her partner grew suspicious of her lovers new friend, the relationship never completely recovered. as we all know sometimes after things are broken, the original magic will never be restored and it's just best for everyone to cut and run.

the obvious question is, what compels these people to destroy something beautiful? what's to be gained from extinguishing the flame of love for others? who knows exactly why people do the things they do but if i were to put on my dr.phil hat and pretend to have some sort medical training i'd say it's a hunt for power. those who prey on others always seem to have a disconnect when it comes to a realistic sense of strength...they gain strength from not only rising above others, but pushing them down in the process. deep down i imagine they aren't happy doing what they do, or they try to rationalize their actions away by saying, "i've done nothing wrong...this girl was talking to me, if she wanted to focus on her relationship she could have done so at anytime".

i still believe that regardless of who you are and what your motivations are in life, everyone is deserving of real love- lest it come from a relationship or platonic love. everyone is worthy of sharing space and time with other human beings and growing as a result. the issue i have with 'relationship snipers' is the same issue i have when people lay on my bed after i've freshly made it; after all of my meticulous work, you carelessly plop down as if you own the place, with absolutely no intention of pressing out the creases when you get up...to quote stephianie tanner of full house fame, HOW RUDE!

so my lovers of love, my hitched hoss', my shacked up buddies, heed my warnings! be vigilant and hold your partner close, for you never know when a relationship sniper has you, or your loved one, in their crosshairs