3/31

Last night, I watched the final episode of 'The Bachelor'. Now, I don't watch this show regularly ... I just felt like watching a little bit of TV last night, and this is what happened to be on. But, getting back to my story. It was down to the final two girls, and of course, they are both madly in love with him. He is the greatest guy they've ever met, and they are positive that he is the one that they are supposed to spend the rest of their lives with. Meanwhile, he is absolutely torn up inside about which one to choose. He ends up choosing one, breaking the other ones heart - and the show ends with the two of them declaring how much they love one another, and can't wait to spend the rest of their lives together.

Now fast forward to the after-show - in a strange twist of events, the guy has decided that he no longer loves the girl that he chose, and that he still has feelings for the other girl. He breaks up with the one (including getting the engagement ring back from her), and asks for a second chance with the other one.

As I watched this, I couldn't help but think that it's no wonder that people take relationships so lightly. These shows that so many people love to watch show strangers coming together for a couple weeks, declaring that they are the love of each other's lives by the end, and within a few weeks, it's all over. I don't understand how the girls on shows like this can fall so madly in love with this guy, when they know full well that he is "dating" several other girls simultaneously! It sounds like a recipe for heartbreak to me!

Anyways, all of this to say that I am thankful that love is so much more (and better!) than what these shows depict. Even though I too dream of meeting my future husband (wherever he may be!) in a romantic sort of way (see #10 of my 25 things post), I realize that the depth of the love is far more important - and the depth isn't something that is going to be there immediately. It comes with time, and in the long run, it's what will hold the relationship together through the good times and the bad. And this depth and commitment is what I dream about - even moreso than meeting a hot boy while travelling!