Love Is Blind Episode 2: So Many Tears!

First things first, go back and read my first post on the Netflix Show Love Is Blind.  It'll give you background on my thoughts thus far.Next, here is your official spoiler alert. Go on over to Netflix and watch Season 1, Episode 2 before reading this, unless you're fairly certain you will never watch this show, and then proceed.Now, if you're anywhere near my age, you've undoubtedly experienced tears in love. My mind flashes back to the one and only time that I have proposed to someone. Following the initial proposal, there was a long, heartfelt discussion that resulted in lots of tears, from both of us.  I've never been married, so alas, we know how that story ends, but sometimes that's how love goes.And this is essentially what Episode 2 of Love is Blind consisted of; lots and lots of tears. For some, they were tears of happiness. For others, tears of sadness, frustration, or confusion.  But man, there was a lot of crying.This episode covers days 7-10 of phase one of this experiment: blind dating until you feel like you may have found the person that you think you want to spend the rest of you life with.  At that point, you have the opportunity to pop the question if you so choose.So many questions have raced through my brain while watching this 1 hour of television:

• What is love?
• Does love at first sight exist?
• Can you fall in love in 10 days?
• What is the most important thing in dating?  Is there any one thing that can be singled out?

Obviously I have way more questions than answers.  What can I say?  I'm single myself.  However, as I watched the contestants wrestling with these questions in a variety of ways, I found myself reflecting on my own thoughts on love and marriage.If you're anything like me, watch this scene, and giggle.One of the contestants summed up his journey for love as looking for someone "whose soul speaks to my soul." I like that.  That's generally how I think of love. When I think of love as a concept, I think of the word namaste.  Though I've read that the literal meaning of the word is "I bow to you," I've read that the "meaning" as it is often used is something more akin to "the light in me recognizes and honors the light in you."I really like that.Isn't that what we are looking for when we look for love?  Someone who recognizes all that special stuff inside of us that makes us unique, and beautiful, and ideally, they recognize that they simply can't live without that stuff?  Well, allow me to back track. That's what some of us are looking for...right?That's definitely what I'm looking for. I'm a complicated individual I think.  But I'm pretty alright. I don't drink, I don't gamble, I'm a hard worker, I smile easily, I'm intelligent, and I love to have a good time. If someone were to look at me, and see me perfectly, despite my flaws...that's love right?I don't believe in the concept of the one. I firmly believe that was a concept sold to people as a social control. I think there are many possibilities of persons that could be right for any one of us.I've been lucky to have met someone whom loved me wholeheartedly, and whom I loved very much. Her name was Nicole. She was amazing, both inside and out, and even now, 15 years later, I can recall almost every moment we spent together, and remember them all fondly.Those memories glow like a hot rock, and I tuck them into a box, and store them in the dark recesses of a closet in the back of my mind. They do me no good in my current situation. However, occasionally, I will slide that box out, and open it, just a tiny bit, to feel the warmth of reassurance, and joy, and yes, sadness. That's love too right?A few years ago, I met a woman. We have nothing in common, in many ways are nothing alike, and when I met her I had a partner. In fact, my partner was the one who recognized the connection between us."You have a thing for her? I saw that silly look in your face when we were hanging out with her?"True to the man code, when all else fails, "deny, deny, deny."But she was right. There was something 'special' about her. If someone had come along and asked me what I thought of this woman, I think I would've responded, "I think I'm in love."We became friends. We're still friends to this day. We don't interact very often, but when we do, it completely fills my heart. Anytime she mentions having a tough time or a bad day, I just wish I could whisk her away, wrap myself around her, and hold her, listening to the sound of only our heartbeats, until she feels better. She once asked me if I believed in soul mates. I said, "yeah, I think I do." She went on to say "I think you're mine. Our connection is crazy. If I'd met you before I met my husband, who knows what would have happened."Indeed...who knows. And that's love too right?And as this episode progressed, the contestants began to find love. And yes, there have been some proposals, and acceptances. And as this crazy social experiment continues, I have no idea what to expect next. Watching the couples meet face to face has been amazing, and sweet, and cute.Hands down my favorite couple is Lauren & Cameron. My favorite female contestant is a tie between Lauren and Giannina...and I think Jessica is way too hung up on age. He's 24 honey, not 12.Are you watching this show?  Why not?  Watch it with me!!!Whos is your favorite couple?  Favorite contestant?  Do you believe in love at first sight?  Soul mates?  Have you been in love?  Fallen Out of love?  What happened?  I have so many questions.  Post any and all answers down below in the comments. Also, I got a podcast. You can find the show on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, or on our website. It's called Off The Beaten Podcast. Also, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get insights into my life. Also, if you’re so inclined, Sign up to get Off The Beaten Podcast in your inbox.