Wake up and Smell the Roses

The newest season of "The Bachelorette" has begun, and like many others across America, I can't help but tune in every week to watch the sometimes painful and often-times gag-inducing interaction between Ashley and her suitors. Despite the criticism of the show and its participants, it's admittedly addicting to watch. What is it about this show that draws us in? Is it just entertaining reality TV? Or do we maybe relate to Ashley more than we are willing to admit?

We've all had instances of our best girl friends, sisters, and other female acquaintances continuing to see a guy despite the pain said guy may have caused them; admittedly, most of us have been that girl at some point or another. How many of us have comforted a crying friend while telling her she deserves so much better, all the while knowing that within a couple of days you'll watch her fall into the same toxic pattern?

The fact is, we all put ourselves through a lot in the pursuit of love. We've watched the women in our lives do the same. We've all felt humiliated and used at some point by some jerk. Maybe we don't do it in front of a national viewing audience, but my point is we've all done crazy things when it comes to relationships. That being said, it's hard for me to ridicule Ashley Hebert for her choices and actions on the show.

Putting yourself out there on reality television in order to look for love is probably not the best way to find it, but then again neither is what women often put themselves through in the real world. In conclusion, the pursuit of love often results in embarrassing, heartbreaking, tear-inducing moments, but we're willing to go through it in the hopes that in the end it's all worth it.