Author Tom Robbins may have said best, “We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love.”   This became the topic of conversation as me and the girls dined at Barbuta, a hip West Village Italian restaurant. As the Prosecco continued to pour, and the laughter rolled, the girls and I debated the virtues and denials of settling, compromising and soul mates.  I’m as sappy, romantic, fairytale believing as it gets… yet I have come to believe that there is no such thing as a soul mate…like Tom Robbins, I view it as a creation. Something that develops with time through the years and several people could actually fill the role.  Blasphemy to some I imagine.

Our evening became more intriguing as 2 charming Italians visiting from Barcelona joined our table to give their views.  As most people know, Europeans know how to live better, take more vacations, are less inhibited and are born with the intangible joie de vivre that I envy.  Let’s just say their views were a little less traditional and a lot more exciting.

I try to keep an open mind, but I think too often we become accustomed to what we think we should fall for and often overlook real quality partners who could potentially develop into the soul mate we’ve always wanted.  Perhaps the end game may not be the fairytale you originally imagined but perhaps when it is all said and done, it is better than ever before.