The One

            Ted Mosby’s best friend Marshal is planning to propose to his girlfriend Lily. Up to this point the three of them have always been a group. Ted is having a hard time adjusting to the change thinking he will be pushed out of the picture once Marshal and Lily “tie the knot.” Trying to cope with the changing season, Ted seeks the advice of another friend named Barney. Barney who under the assumption that he is Ted's best friend is a social suit wearing womanizing laser tag playing bar hopping player. They meet up at the bar and Barney shares his “wisdom” on dating and marriage then immediately initiates a little game called “Have you met Ted?” in efforts to get Ted a girl.  

            Ted is a hopeless romantic who after a losing match at “Have you met Ted?” sees Robin across the bar and at first sight believes he has found “the one.” Robin's friends are not too happy with her talking to Ted, because one of them just broke up with her boyfriend. Ted offers Robin the chance to throw a drink in his face in front of them. Robin agrees to go out with him the next evening and then throws a drink in his face calling him a jerk.

            After a successful first date, Ted is already thinking of Robin as his future wife Ted and his friends make a midnight run to Robin's apartment in efforts for Ted to kiss her. On the way there Ted steals a blue French horn from the French restaurant where they had their first date. He gets to Robin's apartment and is invited up. Things begin to go well between him and Robin but he prematurely says the words I love you. After saying I love you things seem to go south for Ted pretty quickly. But as he leaves the apartment he makes one last stand in efforts to win Robin, it was not successful.

            The biggest theme that jumps out to me in this episode is the whole concept of “the one.” At one point or another we are haunted by the question, who is “the one?” While I acknowledge that we may differ on our stance concerning this theme allow me to state my stance. I believe our understanding of “the one,” is highly influenced by fairytales which we have grown up watching, reading, and hearing. We have turned the Almighty into our “Fairy God Mother” and I hear all so often that we pray to him to bring us “the one,” rather than praying for Him to make us the best man or woman we can become, making wise and mature to make wise and mature decisions. I’ve learned a lot from my parents who have been married now for 28 years (my parents are not church goers). They taught me that commitment is greater than feelings, who you commit to in marriage is “the one,” you will never “just know” because there will always be moment where you doubt, and don’t not wait for “the one,” but look out for when a person who will go through life with you and there will come a time when you will want to make such a commitment to that person. Such advice has proved more valuable to me then people telling me “just pray and God will bring her to you.” Prayer is important and I do it often but not as I see around.

            Proverbs 19.2 speaks loudly to me in regards to this issue, the text reads: “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” Even though we may not acknowledge it, our emotions often overpower our reason. I include myself in everything I stated. Because I have recently and in the past made haste with my emotions I would lose my way. My prayer has always been and will be to become the Godliest man I can become and I know that my road will merge with a woman who is walking the same path as I am.