Question:  I am twenty-three years old and have been dating for four years now.  Thank G-d, because my parents know a lot of people and I guess you could say we are all well connected, I'm been constantly busy. Busier than anyone should have to be.

   At the beginning it was actually fun. I was excited about going out on a date. Meeting someone new.  Wondering if the young man ringing my doorbell would turn out to be my "bashert." It felt exciting and even romantic.  Or maybe just romantic in my head, because in fact, it really wasn't ever actually romantic.

   At the beginning, I had a ball constantly shopping, buying outfits that normally my mother would never have splurged on.  It was just as much fun going through my closet and figuring out what to wear, which shoes looked best, which bag to accent the outfit.   Sometimes I'd even have my hair and make-up done professionally.  Well, once in a while, when the "shidduch" was considered to be particularly fantastic (or so I was told.) 

   Navidaters - what should I do?  This dating pressure has really taken a toll on me and I just can't go on.  No, I don't want to be single, but I do want a miracle to happen and to just wake up one morning and find myself married to the most wonderful man.  I guess I still believe in fairy tales.