The thing about me is that I’ve never really liked dating. Frankly, I think the whole idea is absolutely bizarre. You’re forced to be with this person you’ve only met a couple times and engage in an activity that sounds like a good way to get to know one another, all the while praying to God for some type of spark. Then if you're me, you have to pretend you know how to eat a steak like a lady (according to my mom, stabbing it and just gnawing on it is apparently NOT appropriate...). The idea of online dating is even MORE bizarre. I mean, if I feel awkward sitting across the table from someone I’ve actually met in person, imagine how much more uncomfortable I’d be sitting there hoping that I don’t get stood up by the guy I swiped right on on Tinder. * However, another thing about me is no matter how rough and tough I seem on the outside, I’ve always been a secret romantic and I’m a total sucker for a happy ending. I love how even after all of the obstacles and dragons slayed, the princess always gets her Prince Charming and they live “Happily Ever After.” **

But here’s the thing: that’s not always how real life goes, is it? In real life, our lives don’t follow the picture perfect plot that we see in movies. We don’t get the Mia Thermopolis Princess Diaries transformation that suddenly lands us the stud. Usually, we don’t have time to brush our hair in the morning, let alone look stunning all the time hoping to randomly run into our soul mate. Most of the time, I look like Anna in Frozen when she wakes up late for Coronation day.

Another thing about real life is that most people want to fast forward to the parts that they really want to see. Get a boyfriend...make lasting memories...land the dream job...get married…But the thing is, if you just sit around waiting for something amazing to happen, you are literally going to fast-forward straight through your life. The same goes with dating. Everyone wants to skip to finding a relationship so that they can become FBO***, post cute pictures on Instagram, brag to all of their friends, and have someone to talk about when their aunt asks them if any “significant others” are in the picture at Thanksgiving. But in the process, we forget to enjoy the season of life we are in.

My life, contrary to popular belief, has been nothing but craziness. But the one thing that has remained totally constant is that I always get what I’ve always wanted exactly when I don’t want it. I’ve always had relationships pop up when I say I would rather jump off a cliff than have a boyfriend. I’ve always gotten the job (or since I'm an actress, the role) that I said I didn’t want because I thought I couldn’t do it. That’s just the way life is, and it’s actually pretty funny.

So yeah, I’ve had some heartache and some bad times crying into my pillow at night asking the Lord WHY he’s doing what he’s doing. And I still don’t have answers to some of those late night therapy sessions with Jesus. But no matter how hard and silly life gets, something I’m trying to learn to appreciate is the now. Not the yesterday, or even the five minutes from now, but the NOW.

So to close, as my dear friend Shakespeare wrote in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, “The course of true love never did run smooth,” and none of us are exempt. So enjoy life. Laugh at the screw-ups. Wish the best for people who have hurt you and pray for others to give you grace as well. Because as Shakespeare also cleverly wrote, “Lord, what fools these mortals be!”

*Disclaimer, I've never used Tinder. So swipe left on that idea.

**Usually, for those of you who know me, if the play or musical I go to see doesn't have a happy ending, I'll sulk in the car on the ride home until I turn on my "actor brain" and analyze the show. Finally, I'll appreciate the beauty behind it. But it takes a while.

***FBO=Facebook Official. I'm trying to stay hip with the times.