Affection goes viral

Now, you have to do more than impress your partner's friends and parents.

You also have to impress the YouTube viewing audience.

Recently, this video of a wedding entrance dance to Chris Brown's "Forever" went viral.

Then, we got this video of a guy proposing to his girlfriend via a 60-person game of "telephone."

Sure, many people watch these videos for mere entertainment. But I think it's fair to assume some people -- women in particular -- watch the YouTube clips and raise their relationship expectations.

The clips contribute to a belief that true love is rooted in grand romantic gestures.

Their success is part of our fascination with publicizing love's most traditionally private aspects.

I'll admit I watched the "telephone" clip and guiltily slapped myself for wondering, "Why hasn't my boyfriend ever done anything cute enough to get on YouTube?"

Truth is, he has. I just didn't arm our friends with cameras during those moments.

And I don't know if my memories would be any fonder if we had the support of 13 million YouTube views.

Love on YouTube: Charming or cheesy?