Dear Universe,
Once again, I just love when one of my guilty pleasure shows inspires me.
http://universeletters.com/2012/01/20/leap-list/
This time it wasn’t The Bachelor, but its equally tantalizing counterpart, The Bachelorette.
I am particularly engrossed in this season of The Bachelorette and it isn’t Emily’s southern sweetness and honey drawl that’s luring me in. It’s that underneath that Barbie-like exterior, Emily is actually one tough single mama. She seems to be taking this whole looking for a lifetime mate seriously. I know! It’s refreshing to see.
And as can be expected from the crew at ABC, the exotic dates are planned all over the world. Emily’s visited Bermuda, London (I was a little jealous with the Shakespeare date, I admit) Croatia and last week—Prague.
I’ve never been to Prague, but have always heard it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Watching Emily gallivant around with her suitors, I have to agree. I mentally added Prague to my list of places to get to.
This decision was only solidified when Emily led her date to a bridge near the Lennon Wall. There, overlooking the canal in the Mala Strana, was a gate ornamented with padlocks. She explained the tradition. Lovers, or would be lovers, travel to the gate. Together they take permanent marker and decorate a padlock any way they want—their names, initials, a poetic message. Then they secure the lock to the love wall where it keeps company with the others that have come before.
(Yes, those are all locks stacked on each other.)
This ritual symbolizes eternal love. Most throw the key into the water running beneath once the lock is closed. That way it’s permanently fixed to the gate. If that doesn’t say forever, what does?
As I watched, I remembered reading about a similar bridge in Paris. Turns out these love locks are turning up all over the globe, mostly in Europe.
So now I am on a new mission. I want to see one of these spots for myself. There is something beautiful, wildly romantic and hopeful about the whole thing. And yes, I’m still a sucker for romance—hence my predilection for these types of shows!
Universe, a companion may be in order for this trip. Just saying.
Thanks for the sweet idea. It’s nice to know there is still a little romance alive out there. Excited to see one of these spots someday.
With Gratitude,
A
