No One Ever Told Us That: Money and Life Lessons for Young Adults

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU

Life is a constant search for love. Sometimes, yes, in all the wrong places. Loneliness is a big deal in America today, with a high divorce rate, with countless dating and matchmaking sites trying to bring us together, out of the sadness of being alone. I used to think that the concept of arranged marriage was unthinkable. Now I think, “How could it be worse than the reality show that is modern marriage, presumably for love?” I have a godson who has had an arranged marriage. It appears to be wonderful so far. Some people say, “I love you” at the drop of a hat. Others almost never can say it, even if they feel it. My advice for all of you who see the full moon and feel the longing: know that this is one aspect of your lives where luck really plays a role almost more than anything else. I have friends who met their eventual spouse in high school. They never even dated anyone else. They've been married for many years. One of my best friends in college loves love. So much so that he's on wife number four. And he's said, “In sickness and in health,” “for richer or for poorer,” and “as long as we both shall live,” four times. It's almost like the line “I'll be a little late tonight honey; start the fight without me.” Love letters in the sand.

My wife and I worried a lot about one of our sons. He was single, living in New York City after some time in Los Angeles. He seemed to be throwing himself into work and had no one special in his life. I called ...