HEA: It is not so much the destination as it is the journey.

Okey, I'm one of those readers who likes my HEA or happily-ever-after. I'm an escapist reader, so I don't really want a lot of reality intruding into my fantasy. My ideal story therefore would have a very good semblance of reality but have an HEA in the end. And that is not real, that is fantasy. Because real life almost always dishes out a non-HEA. So a good author weaves me a realistic HEA. Sound simple? Probably. But not a lot of authors can pull that off. In fact, only a few can... "HEA", we know the ending anyway, so where is the thrill there? Aha! This is where the "good author" comes in. A very good tale spinner can make the story a very good journey, indeed! As Captain Jack says:

"It is not so much the destination, as it is the journey."

That is why I am always on the constant prowl for good authors. What is your take on HEA?