Most of my blogposts these past few weeks have been about my styling at work: trying to put together fashionable and chic outfits for a professional office environment.  One of my friends even asked me if I was trying to become a “fashion blogger” ;)  Of course, I have been following fashion and trends ever since I have been a toddler trying on my mom's Chanel pumps, but the real purpose of this blog was just to express my reflections - the confessions of a young professional.  This morning I read a letter to the editor published in the Daily Princetonian from alumna Susan A. Patton, which has prompted me to go back to expressing my latest musings.  Ms. Patton basically expressed her opinion to the “daughters I never had” that they should meet and marry a Princeton prince by the time they graduate from college, otherwise they are doomed for life.

At first, I felt that the opinion piece was very elitist and anti-feminist, but after re-reading it, I must agree that, as women, this is the reality of our lives.  I look around to all my highly educated, intelligent female friends who have been striving to be the best professionally, as doctors, dentists, attorneys, entrepreneurs, businesswomen, engineers, etc., and also trying to maintain some sort of balance in their communities and their lives by “having it all” and perhaps, in the end, to women, the social world matters more than the career world, that as much as we struggle to grow professionally, we probably will not be satisfied until we find a committed partner, whom we can grow with and potentially create a family with.  It also reminds me of this quote from Julie Delpy: “I always feel this pressure of being a strong and independent icon of womanhood, and without making it look my whole life is revolving around some guy. But loving someone, and being loved means so much to me. We always make fun of it and stuff. But isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?”

It is hard to find eligible men to marry, and though some females might think that the world of dating is exhilarating, more often than not, it is just terrible.  I had a great time in college, and would not trade any of my adventures, exploits, friendships and triumphs.  But, I do feel a pang of resentment when I hear that a couple met in college, got married, and were able to get out of dealing with the horrible dates, the weird texts, the strange suitors, the lonely moments, and the questioning looks.  To me, those couples were able to be happy, sooner.  Obviously no one has a perfect life, and even those women that we envy or strive to be like have their own desires and problems.  No woman should marry a man for the sake of marrying someone and settling.  However, this opinion piece drives the point home about life.  Life is not easy, life is painful, life can hurt.  There are beautiful moments, but there are also hard moments, and it is our purpose to take each day at a time and deal with them, in the best ways that we can, with steadfastness and trust in God.  And through all of these moments, how much more amazing would it be to have a partner by your side, who loves you, and who you love ... that is what makes life worth living.  We are not isolated beings, we are social beings, and are meant to share the human experience.