I emotionally regressed this weekend.

I started watching, The Summer I Turned Pretty and I must admit I like it.

I am back in my Gidget state of mind thus the thoughts of dating.

No, I am not scanning the field.

I have my Prince Charming.

Dating, like fairy tales and TV series, comes with dangerous plot twists.

Somewhere along the way I heard about a new trend that has emerged called, Shrekking.

It is the idea of dating someone you are not really attracted to on the theory that they will treat you better.

After all, Princess Fiona took a chance on Shrek and she ended up with love, loyalty and a lovely swamp palace.

In real life? Not so tidy.

Beautiful women sometimes pick less attractive men thinking, “Maybe he’ll worship me like a queen. Maybe I’ll finally get the princess treatment.”

It sounds logical. Lower the spark expectations, raise the odds of kindness. A practical gamble in the brutal casino of modern dating.

But, reality bites.

Often you get Shrekked, meaning the guy you lowered your standards for still treats you badly.

No princess treatment. No happily-ever-after. Just another frog who refuses to get his shit together, no matter how many chances you give him.

Now you have settled and you are still miserable.

Here is the truth according to the Devil. Despite the fact that I honor looks in my own shallow way having married a good looking guy, it is really not just about physical appearance, but about chemistry, respect and the ability to show up consistently for your partner.

Settling for less does not guarantee more. It often just guarantees less.

If you are tempted to Shrek your way through dating, remember that Fiona’s story was scripted.

Yours isn’t.

If you want to be treated like a princess, maybe start by not dating anyone who acts like an ogre.

I met my Prince Charming and did not have to surrender anything.

The only thing worse than kissing frogs is lowering your standards and still ending up bogged down in an emotionally unstable, smelly, musty swamp of a relationship.

Recommended viewing…watch, The Summer I Turned Pretty, turn back the clock and veg.