Thoughts on Having Romance in Stories?

So, I've never really been a romantic person. I've never been interested in getting a boyfriend, marriage or any of the sort. That goes for my writing as well. I've rarely ever put love or romance into my stroies, and so far I haven't gotten any complaints. However, a friend of mine (who is also a writer) said that I should at least attempt to write a story with some form of romance. So I did, I wrote the story that follows two characters, a man and a woman, knowing that both of them would end up romantically togther. But, despite that clear mindset, the only romance between those two was at the very end before they're killed off. They don't show any love towards each other apart from a few hugs and open conversations.
I know that you don't need any romance to tell a good story. I'd never put in any romance into any of my previous storyies apart from parents sharing a hug or kiss or something. Me personally, don't think that romance is nesicarry for a story, but as I look at some of my favourite stories and movies (i.e Disney Movies, Naruto, Harry Potter, etc) all of them have a form of romance, and end with certain characters ending up in a relationship together. That had me thinking. In the past I could not stand love stories like Twilight (I guess that isn't really a good example since there're a lot pf people who doesn't like Twilight), but there were a few that I enjoyed, like the Notebook for example. I found it pretty enjoyable. Forest Gump was also very good. But yet again, had a form of romance, although it wasn't completely a love story. That had me realize just how many stories invlove romance. So, I'd like to know some of your opinions.
Like I said, I believe that romance isn't nessicary to write a good story. But do you think that I should try and imporve my skills in romance? Or should I just stick to my way of storytelling and having minimal romance?