charlotte lucas
once said in pride and prejudice
not all of us can afford to be romantic
and it shocked me to silence
it humbled me in a way that i had not experienced

i would call myself a romantic since birth
and because of this
i had always praised marriage
and naively became frustrated
when love and romance didn't permeate the air
with a couple that was going to marry
that is why this statement shocked me

romanticism is a privilege
it would be at the top of maslow's hierarchy of needs
i understand this
and yet
it blows my mind that people get married
not from love
but necessity
for security
and continuing a family lineage

this is probably one of the most profound statements
regarding marriage and romance
that i have ever heard

and as i continue this delicate dance called life
i will look forward to new moments
of humility
which brings about more
compassion
understanding
and knowledge