that is the nature of the process.

remember the bachelorette, trista wren? whenever she'd kick someone off, she'd say "i really hate to do this, but that is the nature of the process. someone has to leave tonight." i always thought it was pretty melodramatic to call it "the nature of the process," but maybe her overly serious verbiage is what made her succeed. she and ryan are married and they had a baby last year. anyhoo.

i had my own process with its own nature recently, where i lived in the palatial mansion made of my own hopes and dreams and was forced to choose between three cities to find the one i'd share my life with. or at least the next year of it. or until we break up.

there i was. sitting drinking margaritas (read: diet coke) with three fabulous bachelors: san francisco, phoenix and provo. as i got to know each one, they all had their appeal. san francisco was cultured and distinguished, phoenix was exciting and young, and provo was just my type. it was a tough decision, but in the initial round, challenges arising from san francisco's inextricable ties to the state of california proved insurmountable. religion is a very big deal, and california tends to worship itself. it hurt me to do it, but s frisco was sent packing that night.

after romantic overnight dates with the remaining cities, phoenix and provo, i was headed in to the most dramatic rose ceremony yet. i sat in that little room with both their pictures replaying the good times over and over in my head. i knew what i had to do.

i gave provo the final rose and you know what? i don't even think phoenix batted an eye. but provo is what i've always wanted. i mean what i'm used to. and we will be together forever. i mean until it starts to bore me.

the end.