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Editors’ Note (April 24, 2011): Are We Blinded by Romanticism?

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Brown chapter.

On previous issues, we have glorified romantic souls — those who so willingly believe that Hollywood stories are just around the corner and that they will stumble into the love of their lives sooner rather than later. But the truth is that those rarely exist, seldom do two people fit so perfectly together that they, in the words of Tom Cruise’s Jerry McGuire, complete each other. It’s hard not lose faith when we are part of a generation of cynics, but some manage to keep their dreams from getting crushed after a failed relationship or a tedious first date.

But what happens when these romantic beliefs turn quixotic? What happens when we are so immersed in these ideals that we fail to see the “real thing”? Modern pop culture dictates that sweet words and grand gestures make up a perfect relationship. Sure, those are ideal components for an epic courting, for memorable coquetry, but what Hollywood neglects to tell us is that the little things — those small acts that often go unnoticed — are the ones that truly count. Sometimes our perfect crushes don’t show up, or they ignore us, or they are simply apathetic narcissists, and we forgive them because they supposedly epitomize our romantic ideals.

And then there are those people who are always there when they say they’ll be, who show up even when we pretend it’s no big deal if they can’t make it and who remember the details that make us who we are. Could they be a better fit? Addressing the matter with as much honesty and candor is fundamental; it beckons for an introspective reflection that truly scrutinizes our brain cells. There is, of course, no right answer, but it is a question worth asking.

Think about it.
HC love,

Luisa & Haruka  

Luisa Robledo and Haruka Aoki instantly bonded over the love for witty writing and haute couture. Haruka, a self-professed fashionista, has interned at Oak Magazine and various public relations companies where she has reached leadership positions. Luisa, a passionate journalist and editor of the Arts and Culture section of Brown University's newspaper, has interned and Vogue and has co-designed a shoe collection for the Colombian brand Kuyban. Together, they aim to create a website that deals with the real issues that college women face, a space that can serve as a forum of communication. With the help of an internationally-minded team section editors and writers who have different backgrounds, experiences, and mentalities, these two Brown girls will establish a solid presence on-campus.