The Sentinel: Love

In Review |
Ponman is more than just a movie

What truly makes this film stand out is its core message. Simple in its narrative yet profoundly impactful in its message.

by Rashmi Rekha Das

Recently, I watched a Malayalam movie on JioCinema (Hotstar), and it truly left a lasting impression on me. As a die-hard fan of Malayalam cinema, I rarely miss films that resonate with my taste—and last Friday’s watch, Ponman, was a gem. Simple in its narrative yet profoundly impactful in its message.

Directed by debutant Jotish Shankar and starring the ever-talented Basil Joseph, Ponman is set in a quiet coastal town in Kollam. The story begins with Bruno (Anand Manmadhan) and his mother, who are eager to arrange a marriage for his sister, Steffi (Lijomol Jose). But in Kerala’s dowry-driven society, their hopes clash with harsh realities. Steffi’s marriage is fixed with Mariyano, a prawn farmer from the remote island of Thalavettichira, whose family demands 25 sovereigns of gold as dowry.

The story takes an emotional turn when Ajesh, prepared to leave empty-handed, finds Steffi waiting alone at the church.

Due to Bruno’s troubled past, the family has no savings and no social support. The church denies them financial help, and Bruno is expelled from his political party. Enter PP Ajesh (Basil Joseph), a man with a unique business: he lends gold to brides' families in exchange for repayment after the wedding, using the cash gifts they receive. But when Steffi’s family fails to return either the gold or its value, Ajesh is left in a bind.

Determined to recover what he’s owed, Ajesh travels to Thalavettichira, posing as Steffi’s cousin. He soon realizes the real challenge: Mariyano’s family tightly guards the gold, intending to use it to settle their own dowry debts and save for their younger daughter’s future wedding. As tensions escalate, Mariyano uncovers Ajesh’s true identity, leading to a fierce confrontation. Steffi is forced to reveal everything.

The story takes an emotional turn when Ajesh, prepared to leave empty-handed, finds Steffi waiting alone at the church. She reveals she can’t return to Mariyano’s abusive household. In a quiet yet powerful moment, Ajesh offers her an escape. As they sail away together, he tells her, “You don’t need gold. You are valuable even without it.”

What follows is a poignant journey—Ajesh navigating survival, integrity, and deeply ingrained societal pressures. The film beautifully portrays his struggles, his humanity, and the quiet yet moving bond that develops between him and Steffi.

With an IMDb rating of 7.4/10 and a glowing 4.5/5 from The Times of India, Ponman is receiving well-deserved praise. Basil Joseph, Sajin Gopu, and Lijomol Jose deliver remarkable performances, each bringing authenticity and emotional depth to their roles. For his debut, Jotish Shankar has truly delivered—his storytelling is grounded, sensitive, and visually compelling.

But what truly sets Ponman apart is its core message. The film bravely sheds light on the harsh reality of dowry—particularly the tradition of gifting gold—and how it continues to burden lower-middle-class families. It’s a topic we seldom address, yet Ponman tackles it with sincerity and grace.

This is more than just a movie; it’s a mirror to society. A must-watch for anyone who appreciates meaningful cinema that dares to speak the truth.

Is modern dating really broken? A study says not really

Photo: Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash

(SNS)- Dating has never been easy.

It is hard because it involves navigating a complex mix of emotions, expectations, and external pressures. From high standards and fear of rejection to miscommunication and cultural influences, the challenges vary from person to person and relationship to relations.

Add into the mix social isolation created by technology, pandemic lockdowns and potential partners’ unrealistic expectations from movies and TV shows that show failling in love as effortless and magical, setting unrealistic expectations for real-life relationships. Yeah, finding the love your life is hard.

Pop culture critiques tend to regard today's dating ritual as "broken".

Two studies performed a decade apart found that college students' ideas about romantic relationships have largely remained unchanged over time, according to study leader Brian Ogolsky, a professor of human development and family studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

couple dancing

Photo: Unsplash/Anthony Tran

"College students in our study did not share this perception of dating as a broken system, despite many massive cultural shifts during this decade," Ogolsky said, dispelling the popular myth that today's singles are unability to find a romantic partner because dating culture is 'broken'. "Their perspectives on relationships today aren’t that different from what they were 10 years ago — or even 10 years before that. Instead, young adults are taking more diverse and multifaceted pathways through romantic partnering and considering a broader range of outcomes."

The study asked 250 college students between the ages 18-29 to "describe their thoughts and experiences about the typical initiation and progression of romantic relationships." The initial research started in 2012 and it was ran again in 2021.

Based upon participants’ responses, the researchers identified four stages in relationship development: flirtationship, testing relationship potential, being in a relationship, and commitment.

Commitment or Bust, is the point where a couple agrees to a long-term commitment

Flirtationship is the initial stage where attraction begins, often through flirting and shared interests, either online or in person.

The next step is Testing Relationship Potential, where the couple spends more time together, engages in deep conversations, and determines if they want to pursue a serious relationship, with friendship playing a key role.

When a couple reaches the third stage, their romantic needs have been met and their status as a couple is made official. The "In a Relationship" level usually denotes that mutual boundaries have been defined, such as a commitment to exclusivity and supporting each other emotionally, financially, and in their individual careers. At this point, couples are introducing their partner into their social circles and family.

“Young adults clearly distinguish dating from being in a relationship,” Ogolsky told the Illinois News Bureau. “In our study, we used the term ‘relationship development’ to describe the activities we were investigating, but it became clear that participants did not view early behaviors as part of being in a relationship per se. Instead, they viewed flirting and even dating as part of a broader pattern of interpersonal interaction that may or may not eventually lead to the formation of a relationship.”

Depending on external pressure from family, friends, or their cultural background, the final stage, Commitment or Bust, is the point where a couple agrees to a long-term commitment, either living together or getting married. Or, in the worst case for one or both partners, they may choose to move on in search of their happily ever after with someone else.

Ogolsky speculated that during the ten year period, the rapid growth in social media and dating apps would greatly affect how today's students approached dating.

"When we ask people about relationship prototypes, they’re not talking about technology," he explained. "They’re thinking about relationships in broad strokes. And we found it interesting that the centerpiece of relationships was not dating apps, artificial intelligence or robots or all the other things we may have predicted 25 or 40 years ago."

Traditional relationship milestones like engagement and marriage are no longer seen as necessary next steps these days.

Today, more young adults value the freedom and flexibility of being single, enjoying the ability to make decisions without considering a spouse or partner. Many prioritize bucket lists - travel, personal development, and reaching career goals - before settling into a lifelong commitment.

Observing failed marriages among friends or family members, especially a messy one or two, is powerful deterant. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the current divorce rate nationwide is around 42%. The average first marriage lasts about eight years.

Financial instability due to changing career changes, debt, inflation, and student loans payback often delay couples entering into marriage. The cost of a modest wedding for two hundred guests is eye-opening.

Traditional relationship milestones like engagement and marriage are no longer seen as necessary next steps these days. Couples are choosing alternative paths such as cohabitation or long-term partnerships without marriage. While the steps to long-term commitmment may have not deviated that much in the past decade, navigating to that point certainly has.

Guest Commentary |
Love anoints others

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Valentine’s Day is almost here and how many valentines will you have? In elementary school we traded Valentine cards. We actually had a big box and we stuffed it full of valentine cards to our classmates. If we received 20 or 30 valentine cards then we felt good because we had a lot of valentines.

Glenn Mollette

You may or may not receive many cards this year if any at all. Nice cards are expensive as are flowers, candy and dinners. Whether you receive a Valentine card or not doesn’t determine the number of people in your life you care about or who care about you.

Some people may determine their self-worth by how many friends they have on social media. Are they really your friends? Possibly you go to church with a lot of people you care about and who care about you. Maybe you still have several family members you are close to and who love you and you love them.

We have so much hate in the world. Political parties are filled with hate. Many Democrats hate President Donald Trump. Many Republicans hate former President Joe Biden. Some Republicans and Democrats hate each other. Some people hate Elon Musk. Some people hate or love the Philadelphia Eagles.

People hate former husbands, wives, girlfriends and boyfriends.

Hate is obvious in the world. In many of our major cities there is a murder every day. Too often more than one.

What does hate accomplish? It’s a very negative emotion that has negative results. Someone often gets hurt where hate is involved. Hate hurts the hater. Hate does not create a spring of well-being and joy. Hate cuts deep within us and your body doesn’t’ react positively to this long-term dark emotion.

There is a line of demarcation. The Jewish people who had loved ones raped and murdered by Hamas don’t feel loving toward Hamas. The citizens of Ukraine don’t feel loving toward Putin and Russia. We surely understand their feelings.

Yet, somehow and some way in this life we have to find a way to rise above and to soar higher. It’s not always easy to love, but love covers a multitude of sins.

I don’t know how Jesus could love me. All my sins put him on the cross. Yet, over and over again, the Bible tells me that God loves me and for what reason? I have done nothing to deserve his love.

Try to show and tell more people you love them. Call some people this week and tell them you love them. Tell some Democrats and Republicans you love them. Tell some sinners you love them. You never know, some of the love you give just might come back to you.

When Mary anointed Jesus in the Bible, the entire house could smell the perfume. Jesus had the perfume all over him, but Mary also had the perfume all over her. Love anoints others but often we end up anointed as much as the ones to whom we extended love.

About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Relationships & Dating |
Wonder if it is worth it or should I just bow out

Whether you’re swiping through apps or deep into a decades-long partnership, dating and relationships are as unique as the stars in the heavens. Sometimes we all can use a little help, shared wisdom, or inspiration with our love lives.

Hi all -

I find myself in dire need of sincere counsel, as I am increasingly convinced that my romantic life has taken on the unfortunate semblance of a rom-com wherein I alone remain bereft of the script. I'm 31, will defend my thesis this May, and have a great job lined-up.

My boyfriend, aged 32, embodies the quintessential extrovert—gregarious, enamored with nightlife, and perpetually surrounded by a coterie of approximately twenty friends who reside in close proximity and convene incessantly. Initially, I admired his vivacity and character.

In stark contrast, I possess a solitary confidant and derive immense satisfaction from tranquil evenings accompanied by my piano and Netflix. For New Year's, he wanted to party with his bros all night, which didn't interest me. I spent the evening feeling lonely and wishing I had someone who’d rather stay in with me and watch movies or something.

Here’s the thing: I try so hard to be a good girlfriend. I'm kind, supportive, thoughtful, and I even play video games with him - and I hate them if I'm honest. Truth be told, sometimes it feels like he doesn’t appreciate me at all. I'm over here feeling like I’m putting in 110% and getting… what, exactly? A guy who splits the bill 50/50 on the rare occasion we go out and spends half the time on his phone or gaming, ignoring mostly.

While certain positive attributes persist—he exhibits amiability, shares wonderful moments of laughter, and occasionally bestows modest tokens of affection—the accumulation of negative indicators cannot be ignored. His irritability, indolence, and predilection for hanging out with female friends several nights a week, including one for whom he formerly harbored romantic inclinations, gets under my skin.

So, here’s my question: Am I overthinking this, or is this relationship just not it? Should I stick it out and hope things get better, or is it time to cut my losses and find someone who actually wants to stay in on a Friday night?

My family and friends all think that I'm way out of his league - appearance and personality wise. Help a girl out, because I’m starting to think they might be right.

Should I stay, or should go

Do you have some solid advice for Should I stay, or should go? Drop us a note—we’d love to include your wisdom here so others can benefit from it too.

Frustrated with your dating track record? Send us your story for our next Relationship & Dating column. Email us your advice or your story at editor@oursentinel.com Don't worry-we won't use your real name or location. Your identity is safe with us.

Guest Commentary |
The bottom line is love is greater than hate

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Anger, resentment, jealousy and hate are terribly draining emotions. If you have any of these going on in your life then you’re going to be tired most of the time. They can be mentally exhausting.

Maybe you are free and clear of any of these. If so, you probably have a lot of good days and sleep better at night than people who constantly harbor ill will toward others.

All of these feelings are draining and don’t do anything positive for you. They don’t make life better. They don’t make you sleep or feel better. They don’t make you healthy. They end up being a heavy load to carry. Do you need that?

When you hate someone, you are not hurting that person. They are probably very unaware of your feelings. The only person you are hurting is yourself.

I won’t try to mention all the hate groups on the planet. We certainly know of too many who are at war with others. They fight and kill each other, continually. We know of hate groups in our own country. We see hate displayed on the news every day. Terrible things are done to innocent people in our country and around the world from wars, school shootings, bullying, murders, domestic abuse, and the list is long.

Corrie Ten Boom was a holocaust survivor whose family saved numerous Jewish people by hiding them in their home. She eventually became a prisoner herself and recalled being mistreated by a German soldier.

Sometime after the war the soldier was in an audience where she was speaking. He walked up to her and extending his hand asked her to forgive him. It seemed like an eternity before she could respond. She knew exactly who the man was as she recalled the horrors of the camp.

With God’s strength she said she lifted her hand and gave it to him and said, “I forgive you.” It wasn’t easy but she knew that carrying the load of hate that she had felt toward the soldier would be too great for the rest of her life.

Only you can determine who you can or can’t forgive and maybe there are those you cannot. Most people are not going to condemn you for hating someone who murdered your child or who abused you in some way. You have to determine what you can live with weighing on your mind and if the burden is worth carrying. Maybe it is, but maybe it’s not.

Jesus told his followers, by this shall all people know that you are my disciples if you love one another. He then told them that loving God was the greatest commandment and that loving their neighbors as themselves was the second greatest commandment. Another word from the Bible says love covers a multitude of sins.

The bottom line is love is greater than hate. Love feels better than hate. Who doesn’t love being in love? It’s not all about romantic love but it’s loving others, family, friends, neighbors, and people in general.

I don’t know how we will ever stop hate and realistically I guess the world will never be void of hate but it’s worth trying. You can’t change the world, but you can change your world and those with whom you routinely connect.

I wrote a song recently. You can find it about everywhere by now. It’s titled "Stop The Hate". The words are as follow:

“Stop the hate. It’s not too late,
but we can’t wait any longer to stop the hate.
Start to love. Look up higher than ourselves to God above.
Stop the hurt. It won’t work.
Stop the hate. We all bleed.
We all need help from each other to survive.
It’s past time, to stop the hate.
We all need some peace of mind,
and we know it’s way past time,
to stop the hate.
Stop the hate. Start to love.
Stop the hurt. It won’t work.
It’s past time, to stop the hate.
Stop the hate. It’s not too late,
but we can’t wait any longer to stop the hate.
It’s past time, to stop the hate.
It’s past time to stop the hate.”

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He is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Guest Commentary | Addictions and mental illnesses are issues that people are afraid to address

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Honesty is not always the easiest path but it’s usually the most loving path.

Let’s say you have a loved one or friend who is diabetic but they eat crazy stuff every day from pizza to cookies to soda pop without regard for personal health. Is it best for you to treat them to treats containing white flour and sugar every chance you can or to have a talk with them? Of course, you run the risk of hurting feelings or making the person angry but chances are they are going to die sooner than they should. It’s best to try to save the person’s life by being honest. You don’t have to cut the person’s head off with a verbal assault or face slapping rhetoric.

Love doesn’t attack people. You shouldn’t get preachy because this runs most people away. Simply preface your remarks by saying, “I’m your friend. I care about you and your life. I want you to live a long time. However, if you don’t stop eating what you eat all the time you are probably going to shorten your life.” This could pertain to any negative activity or addiction.

Having serious conversations with people is not easy. We are all busy. We aren’t close enough to most people to be this direct. Plus, we really have to care a lot about someone to be lovingly honest. We run the risk of the friendship becoming strained or evenly totally severed. The bottom line is do you care enough to be honest? Plus, don’t ever start making life recommendations to someone unless you truly love the person and are willing to help the individual work through the issues.

It’s easier to let people continue on their negative path to self destruction. Fast food and unhealthy food items are unfortunately much more affordable. It’s not cheap to eat healthy. It’s not cheap to be sick either. Medical bills can pile up quickly. Trips to the doctor are expensive. Diabetic medications are expensive. Kidney issues result in dealth for many Americans every year. Funerals are expensive. Giving up a good friend or family member is life changing.

Disease happens to us all in some way. These bodies are very vulnerable to cancer, diabetes and so on.

Chances are you may have tried. Most likely you have talked your head off to someone you love but they continue in their negative behavior. It seems many people under 50 can’t fathom sickness or death. The consequences of their behavior seem remote or even impossible. Thus they continue on their way.

Of course we all have to look in the mirror. We all wrestle with our private and public demons. Most of us know we aren’t perfect and if we take a serious inventory of our lives and habits we realize we all come away short of perfection, this is especially true of me. I have lots of personal work to do and it’s all I can do to try to do my own daily diagnosis and repair work. This is why we don’t take the time to try to help others; we have enough problems of our own.

Therefore, this is why you have to really care a lot about someone to take the time to try to help the person.

If you had the gift of premonition and could keep someone from being killed in an accident you wouldn’t hesitate to speak with them about it. So, why, if you can help someone address personal issues/addictions that might be deadly, wouldn’t you try? Unfortunately, addictions and mental illnesses are issues that people seem to be afraid to address. If someone you love was inside a burning building, most of us would risk our own lives to rush in and save them.

Why is it so hard to risk hurt feelings to save a life?

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Five ways to make Valentine’s Day awesome

Photo: Sarah Pflug/Burst

StatePoint -- Valentine’s Day is no longer just for the happy couples. Whether you’re married, dating or content being single, there are ways for everyone to celebrate love of all kinds, including romance in 2022, regardless of relationship status.

1. Custom Cards. SmashUps from American Greetings can help prioritize love and romance any day of the year. There are SmashUps specifically for Valentine’s Day, with romantic messages from celebrities like Michael Bolton and Smokey Robinson. However, these ecards aren’t just for couples on Valentine’s Day. There are plenty of options for love and friendship, like hilarious videos of talking dogs, cats and koalas. The customizable ecards let you send personalized messages to your boo, your bestie and your brother for a variety of holidays and occasions.

2. FaceTime. Couples who are separated by distance might have to settle for a candlelit FaceTime instead of the in-person dinner they had in mind. Luckily, romance in 2022 means technology can keep us connected, even when we’re apart. If you’re celebrating from a distance this Valentine’s Day, consider shipping gifts to your significant other or gal pals and opening them together while you’re on a video call, or make the same recipe and eat it together on FaceTime.

3. Swipe Left. Many modern-day love stories start with a simple swipe to the left on a dating app. If you’re hoping to meet new people but aren’t sure where to begin, consider having some fun with online dating apps like Bumble, Hinge and Tinder. They’re not just for those looking for love. Many have friendship features, like Bumble BFF, which works the same way, but connects you with others looking for friendships too. This can be particularly useful for those who are moving to new cities, seeking roommates, or looking to network with others who are around the same age or share similar interests.

4. Did Someone Say Galentine’s Day? Originally created by fictional character Leslie Knope in the television series “Parks and Recreation,” Galentine’s Day is all about female friendships and the laughter, joy and support they bring to our lives.

Galentine’s Day can be spent as simply or elaborately as you please. Some gals might get together to exchange gifts of candles and fuzzy socks for the occasion, while others might have a glass of wine and gossip over a charcuterie board. For some, the holiday may just be a reason to call your friends and check in on them. Single or taken, Galentine’s Day is a reminder to glorify your girl gang.

5. Self-Care. Being alone on Valentine’s Day can feel a little lonely, but the day doesn’t have to be painful. If you’re spending it on your own, plan a day at the spa, take a group workout class or cook yourself your favorite meal. Self-care is the perfect way to honor the strong and independent person you are.

Romance in 2022 can be dinners for two with flowers and chocolate, but it can also be celebrating the mystery and magic of an ordinary day with a custom ecard, dinner with gal pals, or spending time doing things you enjoy on our own.

Tell us about your most memorable
Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and The Sentinel would like share your story of your most romantic Valentine's Day ever. Send us your story in 1,500 words or less for consideration in our daily upcoming V-Day vignettes starting February 7. We don't want Cupid's little tushy to blush so keep the stories PG and family friendly.

Send your submission to editor@oursentinel.com by February 4, 2022, for consideration.

Cuddling up: Cuffing season has started

The weather in central Illinois has started to turn cooler, the days are getting shorter and shorter. Gazing out the window, fall foliage is starting to appear. The sun's daily path crossing lower and lower on the southern horizon. This means not only that fall is here but for those of us single people not in some form of a committed relationship(s) that cuffing season is now open.

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels

Fuel by a combination of biological need, psychology, societal pressure, and of course, creative holiday marketing, "Cuffing", is a phenomenon where men and women attach themselves to a romantic interest through the fall and winter months. According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, cuffing season is "... the time of the year when the weather starts to turn cold and single people begin the active search for romantic partners in the hope of having someone with whom to ride out the colder, snowier, bleaker months." Coincidentally, enclosed in what is considered a five-month season are the big three romantic holidays of the year.

While the practice of cuffing has probably been around since the dawn of mankind when humans migrated to cooler climates, the term "Cuffing Season" was popularized back in 2011 in the online Urban Dictionary. The phenomenon has been researched and debated by scientists and matchmakers alike. Commonly seen as monogamous winter frolicking among Millenials, cuffing knows no age barrier.

Cuffing can best be described as an extended Netflix & Chill, a winter test drive, or a four-month stand, all to stave off loneliness during the dreary winter months and fill the need for companionship under the sheets and in social settings. Depending on the expert you talk to, the season usually ends by mid-April. If you have ever started dating someone new between September and mid-November, then find yourself ghosted by your cuddle buddy around the first week of May, you were cuffed.

For the rookies and veterans alike, cuffing season closely resembles a typical championship series in professional sports. There are regular-season events like holiday office parties, dinner with the parental units, and gatherings at the homes of married friends itching to get you hitched just like them to attend. Then, there are four mandatory "championship" events - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and the Super Bowl of the season Valentine's Day - that paired up couples and companions to celebrate together.

Cuffing buddies are guaranteed dates, hands to hold, and arms to cling on as they make the social rounds during the holiday season. They are crucial in deflecting the annoying, endless queries wondering when will your serial singledom end. The best part for many is when the DJ spins a crowd favorite, they have a warm body to do the Double D or Electric Slide by their side. In addition to regular nocturnal activities and late-night footsies under the comforter, trapped cuffees with nowhere to run often must endure uninteresting minutiae from their partner's otherwise boring life, bad grooming habits, and sometimes embarrassing social grace.

Like college and pro sports, there is a recruiting process that can start as early as August. Prospective cuffs are evaluated, covertly tested, and vetted for the upcoming season during the three-month tryout period better known as 'summer flinging'. By the time Halloween - cuffing season's preseason event - is two or three weeks away, the attaching process started weeks earlier in the form of tailgating, pumpkin picking, and frequent Uber rides home together after last call.

In major cities like Denver, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, cuffing is played at another level with combines, so to speak, in the form of extravagant parties for singles to mingle and look for their winter bae. There is even a new cuffing season drink, mainly vodka and maple syrup, making a splash.

Cuffing season is Thanksgiving dinner with your new partner's family or yours. Cuffing season is a romantic romp on Christmas morning before opening gifts. Cuffing season is dinner, drinks, and New Year's Eve kisses. Cuffing season is dinner and shiny trinkets for Valentine's Day.

Cuffing season is officially over, some say, the day after Cupid has left the house on February 15. The uncuffing process usually takes another 30 days or so for one party or the other to weasel their way out of the relationship. Sometimes they will seemingly disappear completely off the face of the Earth. Sometimes, the breakups can be bitter, especially when one party develops stronger feelings of attachment.

However, cuffers sometimes beat the odds and move into a long-term, committed relationship. Couples that have enjoyed a variety of memorable shared experiences beyond the living room sofa are more apt to keep their relationship intact months longer into the summer and beyond.

Picking the right engagement ring tells your love story

NewsUSA - Engagement rings mean many things -- romance, love, commitment. Each love story is unique, each engagement ring is the start of a new love story, and each will be a witness to a lifetime of memories.

An engagement ring embodies the memories of each couple's unique courtship. The memories begin with first glance and a warm smile meeting for the first time.

Photo: Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash

If an engagement ring could talk, it might tell you a story of "boy meets girl" and how an awkward guy got up the courage to approach the girl across a crowded room. It might tell the story of fun dates to concerts, sporting events and hanging out with friends. Trips to new cities together, boating in the Ozarks, exotic vacations to destinations abroad. The story continues to meeting the parents for the first time.

An engagement ring might reflect on a couple's firsts. That first vacation together or the first long romantic walk. The ring will grow in sentimental value as memories are shared over and over of how the future bride's personality captivated their partner into popping the all-important question.

A ring might recall asking a father's permission, sneaking a sample ring from a drawer to determine the perfect size, and even providing some inspiration for a design that would bring her to tears when she said "yes."

Engagement rings are followed by wedding rings, which tell the story of a bright day full of joy as two become one in front of family and friends. In the future, these rings will experience years of holding hands, warming hearts, rubbing shoulders, holding babies, and serving as a reminder of a lifetime of love with the love of your life.

Custom diamond engagement rings from Cornelis Hollander can help you tell your unique love story with timeless beauty. Their engagement and wedding rings represent your love, energy, and commitment to each other.

The story doesn't stop with the walk down the aisle some bright day in June, it is only beginning, and their team of skilled designers are honored to help start your journey together. The Arizona-based company has four decades of awards and testimonials for its customized engagement ring designs that range from classic to modern, with stunning settings and sparkling gems.

"Your ring is the ultimate storyteller of your style and commitment," according to Cornelis Hollander's son, Walter Hollander, who inherited the company from his father in 2017. "Our diamond rings are exceptional because they are made uniquely for the wearer, making them exclusive, memorable, and personal."

For more information go to cornelishollander.com to explore their unique collection of handcrafted diamond ring designs.

Guest Commentary | We need to all stop biting each other

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Democrats have proven once again that they can find fault in President Donald Trump.

Faults and flaws were found in him before the election. Many years before politics there were never any rave reviews about him being perfect.

During the recent impeachment trial, Democrats and Republicans hammered home their perspectives and interpretation of Trump's speech given on January 6th to those who came to Washington to protest. Once again, Americans either agreed or disagreed with the outcome of the impeachment trial.

Surely most Americans will agree there is no such thing as a perfect President.

Was John F. Kennedy perfect? Was Richard Nixon perfect? Bush Sr. or Jr? Obama? Go back through history and you can't find a perfect person sitting in the oval office. President Joe Biden is no exception.

You may remember what the Bible says, "All have sinned." Another verse says, "No one is righteous. No not one." There will never be a perfect President. Some will be better than others. Some will be much better and some will be much worse.

There are no perfect politicians.

Almost any politician will disappoint you...

Do you think Nancy Pelosi is perfect? I don't. Is Mitch McConnell perfect. He is not, nor are any of the other members of the House or the Senate. Some are better than others. Some try harder, work harder, try to live disciplined lives more than others. Some try to work harder for their districts better than others. Some are good moral people and excellent parents. Some may not be so great. Almost any politician will disappoint you, eventually. It's bound to happen; they are imperfect people.

We have to come to grips with the fact that perfect people are not to be found.

I thought my mom was pretty perfect but I'm very prejudiced when it comes to my mother. My heart would never allow me to see anything wrong with her. Love is like that. Love often sees no wrongs. Sometimes we are like this toward a child, grandchildren, a spouse, our minister, or priest. There are people that we often hold in such regard that even if they are doing something wrong and we know it's wrong, our hearts have a hard time seeing that it's wrong. Too often love is blind.

Americans want someone to love and respect. We want to be loved. We like holding people in high regard.

The people we direct it to enjoy the feeling when we make them feel special. It's all good to some extent. Truthfully though whoever you are enamored with will eventually disappoint you if you look and listen long enough. Human beings, all of us are capable, and often say the wrong thing.

Use the wrong language. Get angry. Say hurtful things. Do things that are often regretted. We make mistakes in words we use and things we do. All of us.

As 2021 moves forward, so must we.

Joe Biden is President of the United States. It is likely Donald Trump will run again. In the meantime, we need to all stop biting each other and get this country healthy, back to work, back in the restaurants, churches and kids back in school.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers.

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