The Spectrum

Love on the Spectrum is my favorite reality dating show because it gets the closest to reality. While the show is dedicated to those twenty-somethings who are on the autism spectrum, their desires and anxieties are as commonplace as my own. And not a few people could benefit from the guidance of the show’s designated dating expert: Find out what you have in common. Ask open ended questions. Know that no relationship will solve all of your problems.

Most poignant to me was a moment between Michael and Heather, when they came upon a pregnant silence near the end of their date. “How do you feel about me?” Michael asked. “I like you,” Heather replied immediately.

“But, may I ask, in what way?”

“No, no, no!” I mumbled into my blanket. Oh, Michael. One must never ask explicitly how someone else feels about them! And certainly not for additional clarification!

“In a romantic way,” Heather clarified, as they walked hand in hand. And so continues my education.