Having a crush on someone feels exactly like it felt as a kid the night before a trip to Disneyland. Excitement. Anticipation. Overload.
I can’t believe that after all of these years, I still get butterflies in my stomach when trying to talk to someone that I think I may “like”. I mean, I communicate for a living. It is what I do. I have become quite skilled at translating abstract ideas into applicable lessons and stories in order to make a point. I throw in a a couple cups of humor; 2tsp of sarcasm; and a dash of me not taking myself too seriously – and I am left with a recipe for successful communication. Despite this fact, if I am put in front of someone I am secretly admiring… it is complete chaos.
I think the problem could be the possibility that the area of the brain which normally provides my linguistic prowess, is also occupied by my desire for requited affection. The two cannot occupy the same place at the same time. Neurons will start crashing into each other. Logic breaks down. I begin to get nervous when the words do not get delivered by the same electrochemical silver platter in which I have become so accustomed.
The same thing happens the night before a trip to Disneyland. We can only think of all of the daring roller coaster rides. We remember how scary the Haunted House is. We recall the Matterhorn being adventurous and dangerous. We fall to sleep with a smile on our face because logic has faded behind a curtain of our own desire to be happy.
The next day we remember what a trip to Disneyland is really about. 2 hour drive to the park. Long walk from the parking lot. Hot California summer sun. Excruciating long lines for rides that are not even as dangerous as we remembered. The Haunted House is lame, and the Matterhorn is closed for repairs. We stayed up all night excited for this? Please!
The lesson? I guess sometimes it is better just to be excited than it is to take the trip.