You keep watching other people find each other, and eventually your dream partner starts to feel like a mythical creature. The line between holding your love life to a certain standard, and being picky to the point of foolishness, becomes blurred. It is hard to understand when you’re settling out of fear, and when you’re holding out to the point of being shallow and illogical about what your life partner should be like.

More from Kim Quindlen

View all quotes →