I rarely discuss Sansa & Romance- because I don't think about it that often. If you've been following me for a while, you may have seen me discuss my ideal endgame for Sansa. She's at Winterfell, in a leadership position and continues Ned and Catelyn's legacy. It's bittersweet in that she's lost so much in order for her to be safe and happy. I like comparing Sansa to Katniss Everdeen or even Frodo, who also had bittersweet endings.
Romance only makes up a small amount of Sansa's plotline. I find it a lot easier to discuss the politics of her story, or how she's a keen learner or her compassion. But that's personal preference. It's fine to discuss romance. But it's a topic I struggle with because I see misconception after misconception.
First thing- Sansa doesn't need a partner to be happy. C'mon, it's 2018. She can have a fully content future without romance. Secondly, it's about Sansa and her choices. She can be happy with a partner, but her worth shouldn't be boiled down to them. I'm happy to write that a vast majority of shippers avoid this cliche. A lot of Sansa's arc is about her gaining independence and forging her own identity. Most shippers respect that.
A lot of shippers focus on looks- and write things such as 'this character is hot, and Sansa should end up with someone hot' or 'Sansa deserves someone ugly to teach her looks don't matter'. Both ignore something crucial: Only Sansa has to find them attractive and wants to date them. This obsession with looks and physical appearance is shallow, but ignores a core thing that they ultimately don't matter if your partner wants to date you and are accepting. Instead, I'd focus on Sansa's characterization and what she personally wants. If Sansa doesn't want to date a guy that she's not attracted to- that's okay. Not endorsing or dismissing any ships here, btw.
I'm okay with Sansa having a romantic partner- and if GRRM makes her alone, it shouldn't be as a 'punishment' or whatever. It also shouldn't be a statement, it should be a natural progression of the plot and themes. Considering a lot of Sansa's arc is her being forced into relationships- with Tyrion, with Littlefinger- her picking a partner seems freeing. Sansa deciding romance on her own terms is empowering.
Whoever you ship Sansa with- Jon Snow, Harry the Heir, Margaery, Sandor, etc- that's fine. A lot of Sansa ships fit in nicely with my ideal endgame for her. Romance is one thing out of many that make up Sansa's character. But Sansa & Romance is a topic that doesn't intrigue me as much as it does to others.