I'm not complaining about Romance Being Dead - I've just described a happy marriage as based on talking about plants and a canceled Ray Romano show and drinking milkshakes: not exactly rose petals and gazing into each other's eyes at the top of the Empire State Building or whatever. I'm pretty sure my parents have gazed into each other's eyes maybe once, and that was so my mom could put eyedrops in my dad's eyes.
Mindy Kaling humorously reflects on the nature of romance in her book "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" She suggests that a genuine, happy marriage doesn't always align with traditional, idealized notions of romance. Instead of grand gestures like candlelit dinners or romantic backdrops, she describes her marital bliss as being built on everyday conversations about mundane topics like plants and mundane TV shows, paired with simple pleasures like milkshakes.
This candid portrayal reinforces the idea that love doesn't have to be extravagant—it can thrive in simplicity and familiarity. Kaling’s observation about her parents, who have likely shared just one romantic gaze, further emphasizes how realistic relationships often focus more on companionship and shared experiences than on cinematic romance. This refreshing perspective invites readers to appreciate the quieter, yet meaningful, aspects of love and partnership.
