Carissa stood in front of the penguin exhibit and read the wooden plaque hanging on the cement wall. Apparently, male penguins give the female a pebble as an acknowledgement of their relationship, and as an offering to help build their nest for mating. Penguins also mated for life. Tilting her head, she studied the penguins behind the glass, watching as they waddled around, not a care in the world.

If only human relationships were as simple. Give a pebble, mate for life, and ...