Want to Fall in Love? Here's how.

Ok, I know you're all dying to know how to fall in love, and, since my middle name is Aphrodite, you've come to the right place.*

In short, there was once a psychologist named Arthur Aron who made two complete strangers fall in love in a laboratory with a series of 36 questions. After the strangers asked and answered these questions to one another, they stared into each other's eyes for 4 minutes. Six months later, they were married. Don't believe me? Read this New York Times article: To Fall in Love with Anyone, Do This.

*That's a bold-faced lie. My middle name, like everyone's middle name, is Elizabeth.

Image by Paul Proshin

So, now that you've read the piece, you are armed with what you need to corner a man in a bar, launch into increasingly intimate and vulnerable discussion, do some staring, and go forth and wed! Woo hoo. Happy registering for gifts!

But why stop there? Hallie from Corals and Cognac challenged us to take (a sample) of these questions and answer them in the blogosphere as a way to get to know each other better. Why not? Here are my answers to a few of the selected questions. I'm also providing a close up picture of my eyes for your staring pleasure.**

**I'm absolutely not doing that.

Without further ado, grab some coffee and let's start this riveting Q&A sesh:

*image

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

Ellen DeGeneres. I think it is amazing that she is consistently funny in a non-vulgar way. Being funny in a non-offensive family-friendly way is incredibly difficult. I imagine it would be a hilarious dinner.

For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

My immediate family and my boyfriend, Stephen.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

I thought about this one, and it makes me sound incredibly vain but I'd probably want perfect skin. I just worry so much about my skin, and without that factor, I could totally forget about it forever and then focus on my important things.

Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it?

Since I was in first grade, I had a hunch I wanted to be an author. All I'm going to say is right now I'm currently (finally) working on it.

What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

Human trafficking. I'm no expert, but it's a very serious problem, especially in Southeast Asia. I actually make monthly donations to The Exodus Road, an organization committed to helping people out of the unthinkably horrible situation. Interest piqued? Read this story by Roo from Semi Proper, who went to SE Asia to promote the Exodus Road.

Phew. That got real heavy real fast. Back to the questions: What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

I earned a Division 1 college basketball scholarship. Meaning my degree was free and I don't have college loans. It was an incredibly hard 4 years, but I am proud I stuck it out and made it through.

What do you value most in friendship?

The ability to respect one another's differences in opinions, interests, etc. I don't like "group think" mentality. 

Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

First off, are we one hundred percent sure that Tywin is safe? I actually think a lot about rescuing my cat if there ever was a fire. (I'm essentially obsessed.) But, if my kitty is totally 100% safe and purring and happy, then I'd actually probably rescue a journal I've been writing in since 2001. I don't write too often, but I like how I can flip through and read various highs and lows from my life.

**

That's it for me! Your turn. Read the article, write a post, and link it up to Hallie's! Or just corner someone in a bar and get married. Your choice. 

p.s. Here's all 36 of the questions!