We are here in Florida visiting my in-laws this monday and because they only have 1 TV set it creates an awkward moment when, on monday evenings, my wife and I ask to watch the Bachelorette. First off, even Marty McFly had 2 television sets so the 1 TV situation feels like we are sent back to 1955. Secondly, these monday evenings when the Bachelorette or Bachelor is in season forces us to admit to grown adults that we are in love with these types of shows.
My father-in-law normally says something snarky about the trashiness of these shows and he is totally right. But it doesn’t make me love these shows any less.
I have had a strange love affair with reality TV ever since I first heard the premise of Survivor. From that came every shock premise imaginable and I watched them all: Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire. Big Brother. Temptation Island. Boot Camp. The Swan. Mr. Personality. Average Joe. Heck, we even watched that dating show where they brought in hot women to date Alaskan men. The point is, I watched them all and continue to.
I’m not sure why the attraction. Maybe it’s the idea that anyone can get on TV that makes it so appealing. If you are hot enough or dumb enough or fit the right demographic or the right archetype you too can be on a show.
I am particularly attracted to dating shows. I know that it’s very unlikely people will find their soul mates on the Bachelorette. But I keep on watching nonetheless. I was fortunate to meet my wife, my soul mate, early in life. We had common interests (well beyond our love for the most dramatic rose ceremony ever) and we knew early on that we were meant to be together.
I can’t imagine what life would be like if I was still not married at my age. While, I am a fairly social person in small groups the idea of finding someone to date horrifies me. Where would I start? What would I say?
I think that’s what hooks me with these types of shows. These people want to find someone. They want to have what my wife and I have. Being hopelessly in love with my wife the same today as i have every day since we got married 14 years ago is something everyone should shoot for. Arguably contestants go about it the wrong way but I understand their willingness to try.
Today, my family and I toured the mansion built by John and Mabel Ringling (of Ringling Brothers Circus fame) in Sarasota, Florida. One of the facts we learned was how much Mabel Ringling enjoyed tending to her rose garden which turned 100 years old this year. She positioned her bedroom on the 2nd floor so that it overlooked her beloved rose garden. She tragically died at the age of 54 and John, her husband, was devastated.
I can’t imagine how it must have felt for him to live in that house that he built for his wife after she died. To see the rose garden that she tended to meticulously fade into an unkept mess.
I believe in true love. I believe in the life my wife and I have built together. Every day I wake up and she “accepts this rose.” I’m glad I have it and I hope everyone has it too.
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Gregory Ng
GOAL: Visit 100 National Parks as a family by 2020. Favorite Parks: Zion National Park, Mt Rainier National Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park
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