A forever smile

Some people take me very too seriously when I joke about dating, or boys having cooties, or that I don't need a guy, or that dating is a big...well...joke.

The truth is, dating is difficult. It's easy to settle for what you find - and believe me, there's a lot out there to be found - or to decide you're not going to bother, and just fly solo. But the decision to date - to put yourself out there and risk your heart - is a tough one.

When I joke, it's partly because that's my defense against the heartache that goes along with dating. It's also partly because I don't think life should be taken too seriously; if you can't laugh about it, you're probably doing it wrong. Not to mention - dating is supposed to be fun. Anything fun has to have some laughable moments; I choose to focus on those, rather than the more depressing, lonely side of the dating life.

But when people take me seriously, I end up with a reputation for being a "man-hater" or "negative" or "down on love." I want to take a moment to clarify - I am not down on love. As I've said before, I love love.  I think taking a chance on love is the best bet a person can make - and one of the bravest things one can do.

My very good friend Baking Suit got married on Saturday. She married her perfect guy in their perfect way, and I couldn't be happier for them. It was a wonderful day full of friends, love, and of course, laughter. There was food, music, and a judge. A lot of pictures were taken, and fabulous shoes were worn.

In the end, two people made promises to be there for each other through good and bad times, to make each other laugh, to love one another, to raise a family, and grow "really old together." What better reason could there be to smile?

Here's to you, my friends! May your life together be filled with fabulous shoes, all the bacon you can eat, robots, late-night TV, family, friends, cupcakes, laughter, and most of all - love.

*clink*