I love, love. I am no hater.

I believe there is nothing sweeter than two newlyweds. I just have become convinced since I moved here almost six months ago that newlyweds are only meant to be seen in public in three places: their wedding; their reception; and maybe in a flower garden for the requisite black and white wedding-party pics.

The thing is, I have no point of reference. I come from Minnesota. Of course, people get married in Minnesota. But no one ever has said, “Hey, babe, let’s have our honeymoon in Duluth.”

Well, maybe a few guys have tried that line only to be met with a stare that could freeze over Lake Superior.

I’m not a complete fool. I’m not trying to pick a fight with people in love or the thousands of jobs they provide in this county of 140,000 permanent residents.

Weddings, receptions and honeymoons are huge business in Maui. The Maui Wedding Association alone has almost 40 wedding planning companies listed as members. I didn't even know wedding planners existed until I saw one in a movie a couple years ago.

This might be the honeymoon capital of America -- and Japan.

I have actually benefited personally from that fact. I got to visit with one of my closest friends and his lovely new bride when they came here on their honeymoon. More importantly, I finally had a good reason to eat at Roy’s in Kihei. That chocolate souffl’e is the real deal; and the Maui onions au gratin side is almost as good as fillet mignon entree.

It’s just as a single guy with a girlfriend too far away, seeing love and lovers every day makes me a little bitter. The hand holding. The hugs. The giggling. The kissing. The glints in their eyes. Glinting eyes, people!

The happy couples walk down the sidewalks and beaches with hands on backs and waists (sometimes one hand drifts few inches lower). They frolic in the ocean. Seriously, there is actual frolicking happening here.

This ain’t Florence, is it? If it is, I want some big white fountains and lots of marble statues.

I get chuckle out of seeing one (it’s almost always the guy) with a sunburn after a couple too many mai tais and a nap under the sun. I know, I know, that’s just sad. I should be ashamed.

Man, that is pathetic.

Okay, fine. Stay here as long as you like. Please. Take horseback rides, surf lessons and sunset cruises. Watch whales and shop at Tiffany‘s.

But I don’t have to like it. Do I?