Confessions of a Wannabe Romantic

On a recent weekend, I watched the romantic comedy, Broken Hearts Gallery which stars - Geraldine Viswanathan and Dacre Montgomery. The main character, Lucy, is a quirky twenty-something woman of color, who keeps a shrine filled with mementos from past relationships in her bedroom. And after her most recent breakup, starts the Broken Hearts Gallery with the help of the reluctant, handsome and jaded hotel owner Nick, as a way to free herself and others from the shackles of their past relationships. Of course, these two opposites fall in love and live happily ever after. It sounds corny but it’s a really cute movie. I watched the movie at least three times that weekend. After the third viewing, I have to confess, I want to find love and be in a long term relationship; ideally with someone who understands the importance of being committed, loyal and faithful. I know this may sound crazy but watching the chemistry between the characters, and the slow burn of their relationship from friendship to love, I realized that I miss that experience.

I know the romantic comedy plots are very formulaic and at times far-fetched, however, I can’t deny that I feel warm and fuzzy when watching these movies. I often sit and reminisce about loves of the past and it makes me oddly hopeful about my future romances. It was watching these movies that pushed me back into online dating. Here’s another confession, after watching Broken Hearts Gallery that weekend, I watched Friends With Benefits (starring Mika Kunis & Justin Timberlake) and Something New (starring Sanaa Lathan & Simon Baker). I also read the 5 book Wedding Date romance series by Jasmine Guillory; I read all the books in two weeks. These books are romantic, witty, fun and a quick read. I highly recommend you read them.

All of these mediums paint romance, falling in love and finding your person as beautiful experiences…so beautiful that I couldn’t help but be drawn into their euphoria. I don’t expect to have the same romantic experiences as the characters in these books and movies, after all real world relationships are far more complicated than fictional ones. What’s even more complicated than the relationship phase though is freaking dating! I’m back to interviewing potential candidates and have come across a series of duds. Final confession, I’ve had better chemistry with men considerable younger than me. Don’t judge me! If you squint your eyes, tilt your head to the right and ignore my patch of gray hair, I can pass for 28. Alright, maybe 38. Well, I’ve made the decision to consider dating younger men because guys my age or older come on too strong due a condition I’ve named - pandemic-related sexual deprivation or PRSD. PRSD is when most men think sex with a random man I’ve never met is something I’d be into (insert eye roll), and what’s worse is they practically beg you via direct message to help them relieve the pent up sexual frustration they’ve developed due to their inability to date or have random hookups during the pandemic. As you can see, I’m dealing with some real charmers. Anyway, I’ve decided to try to enjoy the act of dating. No attachments, no expectations. I’m trying to enjoy dating multiple men, which is a tactic most dating experts seem to be against, especially since I declared earlier in this post that I want to find love. I do want a loving long-term relationship with someone who is honest and loyal with good communication skills..being good in bed is paramount as well. Until I find this special guy, I will just enjoy the freaking ride! 😉

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