The L word.

Most single folks in the world are searching for someone to share their life with. Some of us are naturally selfless and just want to take care of someone. Others are selfish and want someone to take care of them. Either way we don't want to be alone. There are a few rarities that are misers and spinsters that shoot pool with the grinch. But I have found that I, Ashley-Renee Shearman, is in love with love. I want everyone to indulge themselves in someone near to them. Someone who takes their breath away and yet gives them enough room to breathe. I believe it is our natural need to find a mate. 

Yet somewhere in our culture we lost the need to want someone forever. I was reading recently the tales of grandmas and grandpas who have been in love for 50 plus years. I work at the Olive Garden, which for some reason has a larger well aged crowd, and there are so many couples in their 60s or 70s that are still kissing at the table and pinching each others butts. Where did that go? My grandparents themselves have a wonderful love story. They met when my grandfather was in a coma. My grandma was the nurse assigned to him. When he awoke the first thing he asked was "Where's Shirley?" Five kids, almost twenty grandkids, and three great grandchildren later they are still madly in love. 

Why are relationships so hard for us? What is it that causes us to be so dismissive of the people around us? I myself have said "I need to focus on school and I can't have any distractions." But honestly, I think that facebook is more distraction than my Chris is. So perhaps it is an excuse for fear. While in the 1940's and 50's our grandparents didn't worry about getting internships in other states, getting into a great grad school, or looking for their career before marriage. They did it all together. 

We're no longer looking for a companion and instead a label. I've had friends say that they want to be a 'Wife.' They say they want to graduate and then get married and have kids. Where do you fall in love? Where's the romance in doing what you think you're supposed to? I think we need to go back to a time where fate brought everyone together. My grandfather married my grandmother because he knew, KNEW, she was exactly what he wanted. Why would you let that go? Where are you Disney movies full of hopeless romance? Where are you damn Nicolas Sparks novel with your empty promises of sweeping off feet? 

Where has the romance gone?