What I Learned from The Bachelor: Timing is Everything

I don't know a single person of a certain level of intelligence that hasn't been bothered in one way or another by the process of finding a mate on the hit series "The Bachelor". A somewhat abnormal process of whittling away at a pool of candidates until just a few are left standing, the series of "Rose Ceremonies" remind me more of political caucuses than dates.

As a happily married woman in her late 20's, I haven't had much time to reflect on the "what if's" that led me to find my partner for life. The combination of brains, beauty, personality, and a stunning sense of humor kept me from even considering other men during my courtship to my husband. I'm sure that if you asked him, he would respond with a similar answer about me.

But what if the love of my life was planted among a whole sea of faces with similar attributes? What if every boyfriend I ever had was among the 25 potential mates of my choosing? How would I know that, after only weeks of conversation and a lot of time in the hot tub, I would know enough about each of them to make the right decision? Would I pick my husband?

I know that my husband is my soul mate. I know that because he is perfect for me. But more important than that, he is perfect for me in the timing that I found him. Old boyfriends all turned out to be duds. Only time would allow that to be discovered. My husband came along at a time when I wasn't dating 25 other men, and I was ready to settle down and start a life with the right person.

I believe that at the moment you meet someone they are right for you at that time. Otherwise all dates would be first dates, and everyone you meet would be an ex-boyfriend. Soul mates are an ever-changing concept, as people's souls grow and change throughout their lives.

So, while the Bachelor is an unnatural attempt at finding love, I hope that it works. This last Bachelor seemed sincere and hopeful. As long as he doesn't compare his new love to any missed opportunities with the hopefuls, he should do just fine.