The High Cost of Hope

A friend of mine was approached by a friend of a friend on Facebook. They became friends. They e-mailed back and forth. They graduated to phone conversations. She flew out to see him. It was exciting. They dated long distance for a few months. He came to visit her. She realized he didn't blow her skirt up. It's over. The hope is over. She is disappointed.

I understand the post-relationship letdown. It's the same feeling you get when you return to work after a really great vacation. Suddenly, going to work really sucks. It didn't suck this much before vacation, but after getting a small taste of the good life, work sucks. It makes you wonder if you should stop taking vacations.

But then you read an article in the NYTimes about a great vacation destination. You google it and find a ticket on sale. Suddenly, your trepidation about post-vacation letdown flies out the window. You buy a ticket, pack your bags, and high tail it to the airport.

Or you agree to meet him for coffee ...