Finding Mr.Right

Ever since my parents put into motion the whole marriage thing, I have been thinking a lot - a HELL OF A LOT really :) As the daughter of an Indian, I am expected to go through the process of an arranged marriage because it is but natural. I mean my parents had an arranged marriage like their parents and their parent's parents and the ones before them (I hope you get the drift). All of them have had fulfilling happy lives together. However, I come from a generation that believes life would probably be easier if you knew your significant other in advance. This is simply because even if there is no great love, there'd be enough respect and comfort between the two individuals for the relationship to grow. Its funny how almost no one is foolish enough to imagine that he automatically deserves great success in any field of activity; yet almost everyone believes that he automatically deserves success in marriage.

Anyway I've been seeing a lot of photos (of the prospective groom) and I'm constantly questioning the criteria upon which my decision is to be made. My family is doing a wonderful job with the profile filtering. So all I have to do is see the photo, give my consent to meet the boy, somewhere along the line actually meet him and finally possible get married to him. Now meeting the boy is another story altogether which I'll probably talk about some day.

But what I really getting at is this: How am I to know when I meet THE one (from the various choices my parents give me)? Will there be a thunderbolt and lighting strike or Will the soft strings of a violin play in the background?

Lately I've to the weddings of my friends and it has only gotten me more freaked out :( because some of my list of questions now include: What if my significant other and I cant stand the sight of each other after a few years? What if we change as we grow older and want different things (because a divorce is NOT an option)? Why go through this whole ritual of proclaiming to the world that you are married?

Hmmm.. I guess I'd never know until I get to that point and do meet someone who'll put my fears to rest and who'll love me enough to let me be me (even with my quirks). But Mr.Right, I hope you're out there somewhere and listening to me