Skip to content

That’s the thing of it—the really petty thing of it—I…

“That’s the thing of it—the really petty thing of it—I can’t help but feel like this wasn’t supposed to happen to me. I’ve never worried about finding a guy. In sixth grade, I dated the nicest cute boy in class. We talked on the phone twice over six months and held hands at an afternoon showing of…” quote by Rainbow Rowell
Download Open image
““That’s the thing of it—the really petty thing of it—I can’t help but feel like this wasn’t supposed to happen to me. I’ve never worried about finding a guy. In sixth grade, I dated the nicest cute boy in class. We talked on the phone twice over six months and held hands at an afternoon showing of Superman III. I always had a date, the right date, for every dance. I fell in love for the first time in the 10th grade with the guy I was supposed to fall in love with. I broke up with him after a year, and that was supposed to happen, too. I was pretty sure I would never have to worry about finding the right guy. I thought it would happen for me the way it happened for my parents and for my grandparents. They got to the right age, they found the right person, they got married, they had kids.””

Rainbow Rowell

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The narrator feels that love and relationships should happen naturally, but fears they are not destined for her, reflecting on family expectations and personal disappointment.

In simple terms: She worries love isn’t happening as expected.

Key Takeaway

Accept uncertainty and focus on personal growth.

Themes

love expectations family legacy self‑worth

Mood

anxious reflective

Type

personal relational

When to use this quote

  • dating
  • family pressure
  • self‑reflection
  • relationship expectations

Key Concepts

destiny romantic idealism generational patterns

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you define “right” timing for love?
  • What personal values can guide you beyond family patterns?
A Different Perspective

Romantic expectations may overlook personal agency and timing.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Rainbow Rowell

Explore all 1,108 Rainbow Rowell quotes

More Dated quotes

Browse all 155 Dated quotes