Hey babe, I carved your name on a branch....'cause I love you...?

I was walking downtown this morning along Princess Street, enjoying the crisp autumn breeze and humming along to whatever band was playing through the headphones of my iPod, and I noticed carved into the sides of stone buildings and into the sidewalk that I was treading on, the names of two lovers encompassed by a deformed shaped heart. It didnt physically or emotionally affect me or traumatize me, but it get me thinking, which is dangerous in and of itself. I admit I am guilty of carving the names of loved ones surrounded by a heart into wooden railings or old trees, and if I had the tools I would probably be guilty of carving it also into stone or concrete also. But after thinking about it this morning as I made my way back to class was why is this act of random vandalism thought to be so romantic? I'm not saying that I am innocent of this activity, but I am admiting that I never actually thought about why I was doing it when I did carve the names. I just figured that it was shakespearical-romanticism(and yes thats a newly invented word) and that I should join the cliche of other couples doing the same act. But what does carving your name and your special someones' name into anything actually accomplish? Years down the road are you going to go back to that same spot and be able to share a emotional moment together over how that was the spot that yall professed your love on an inanimate object years ago? Cant we just do that over a nice dinner? Plus how many of the people that have carved their names in something actually return to that spot with that same someone? I can only doubt that the statistics would be that high. It has always been seen as a great idea and a very romantic touch to a romantic date, but is there any real romance in carving names into a piece of wood or rock? I mean seriously folks? Again, this is not a rant to everyone else, I have already admitted that I have been guilty of participating in this act, but it just hit me today that it really isnt that cute.
How about next time you get the urge to break out your pencil and crack the eraser to use it as a carving utencil, you decide to treat your lady to a candlelit dinner, or just tell her you love her.(only if you really do) That is one other thing, when you see these names carved in wood or stone, you always see a heart around it and perhaps the word "forever" included. I'm sure that the number of couples' names that have been carved into any object are most likely not still together. In the modern day lingo they we have grown so accustomed to, "whats up with that?"
So I want to hear from you readers if you really think that carving your name into an inanimate object is really romantic or not. Something to think about....