...and they lived happily ever after

Growing up, I always thought life had a set path. You went to college, met the love of your life, got married, had babies, watched them grow up and have babies, then eventually passed away. Boy, am I glad I was wrong! Not that there's anything wrong with that pattern - believe me, sometimes I wish I had that security of being a married twenty-something rather than a single girl fighting off creeps in bars. Being Southern makes me very aware of my unmarried status. But that doesn't mean I'm about to go on a reality dating show to find my "one and only."

A reality show like the Bachelor. Now, I admit that I have watched many seasons of this show in the past. I get sucked in by the beautiful girls, handsome guy, and the amazing dates that lead to happily ever after. But when you think about it, how many of those couples stay together or have gotten married? Two - Trista and Ryan Sutter and Molly and Jason Mesnick. Neither were my first choice, although their still being married give them way more credibility. I just don't believe that you are going to find your life-long soul mate in 6 weeks on a TV show with producers and cameras and 20-something other catty girls. No thanks, not for me.

I believe in fairy tale endings. I believe in finding your soul mate. Too many of my friends have gotten married to "the one" for me not to have faith in love. However, I don't want today's kind high-tech, super casual, are we dating or are we just "hooking up" kind of dating. I want love letters and phone calls and romantic dinner dates. I want flowers and candles and champagne. Maybe I'm asking too much, but I believe it's out there. It doesn't have to be all mushy-gushy romance all the time; I'll watch sports, I'll go hiking (well, if I really like a guy...maybe), I'll try just about anything once. But underneath all the fun and exciting dates, there needs to be a real emotional connection that I think takes time.

Do I think you can be seriously dating in 6 weeks? Sure, why not? But getting engaged?? Heck no, I don't think so! Especially some of the 22 or 23 year olds that go on that show with brains smaller than my sister's cat. Sure, many girls go on the Bachelor to launch careers, get noticed, and become someone. You can't really fault them for that when so many of these relationships fail. But the truth of the matter is, everyone believes in some form of happy ending. Good luck to the Bachelor and bachelorettes, I hear the final couple is very happy together. Maybe this will be the 3rd marriage...but we'll just have to wait and see.