Falling in love

Abuse of the word "love" has long upset me. Like when I was at a Britney Spears concert once, and she told all 30,000 of us that she was loved us; that just seems wrong. But I've also just watched the finale of The Bachelorette and am myself a recent bachelorette and there's something I feel strongly about that I don't say often, which is a bit in conflict with what I've just said. Here it is...

Falling in love is easy.

And I don't mean the trivial way. I mean the real thing. If you forced me to estimate, I'd say that about once a week, I meet a person whom I honestly can't forget, who compells me to give something of myself. It's not always romantic--in fact it almost never is because I'm practical about such things--but I don't think that really matters.

Take tonight, for example. I had drinks with a friend that I feel so lucky to have in my life. We met years ago through work. She's strong and reminds me every time that I talk with her that I am in control of my life, and that's a reality that I should laugh at. She always has something to say that makes me feel smart or funny or pretty, and when I need it most, admired. I knew when I met her that there was something special there, not because I wanted her, but because there are pieces of our lives that simply fit together.

I know that love can come quickly, but its representation on reality television shows doesn't quite seem right.

PS I love you reality television.