I'm one of those crazy persons who watches each season of The Bachelor. I know, I know. *hangs head in shame*
Why do I do it? Why do relatively normal people invest time and emotional energy into love stories that are doomed from the start?
Well, I sat myself down for a therapy session and this is what I learned:
In love with love
People like me are suckers for love stories. Even if I read a political thriller, there's nothing like it when a forbidden love story is thrown in the mix. YA stories? Yep, I love the love angle there, too (Katniss-Peeta-Gale triangle...oy!). Historical fiction? Don't get me started! (The brooding and misunderstood Mr. Darcy, anyone?)
In love with drama
I don't consider myself a drama mama in real life, but in romance stories, I love it. If the girl gets the guy without rumors, misunderstandings, and cat fights, where's the fun in that? Maybe romance stories give ordinary people the thrill of drama, without having to experience it first hand.
In love with possibility
Love stories involve lots of road blocks before the embattled couple finds happiness. But the possibility of love...ah, that's what keeps readers reading and movie viewers digging into buttered popcorn until they're sick (raise your hand if the sick-tummy-from-popcorn thing has happened to you, too).
In my opinion, romantics are hopeful. And hope is what keeps bringing me back to The Bachelor, even after many seasons of failed couples. I keep hoping that this is the season where the couple will find true love through unrealistic dates and strange group hot tub scenes.
For an in-depth post on romance, check out Jody Hedlund's post Why Romances Are a Valid & Important Form of Literature.
Are you a sucker for romance? Do you read it or write it? And do you watch The Bachelor, or am I the only crazy viewer out there?
(If you're watching this season, who do you think Ben will choose? IMHO, I think it should have been Kasie B., and I think Ben is on the fast track to heartbreak. *sigh*)