Single and Mingling

*Sigh*  I always love it when someone who has been in a relationship for more than a year gives dating advice.  "You find the person when you stop looking", "Don't date guys in bars", "It's creepy to meet a guy in the gym", and "Online dating, you could be meeting Ted Bundy".  I'm sorry, where should I meet guys?  Oh through friends?  Yes please, I love when a friend says they "know someone who would be 'perfect' for me" and he turns out to be rude and overbearing.  I'm sorry, what about me says I like rude, overbearing men?

I have to admit, I recently signed up for eHarmony.  My bestie and her mom were doing it, she invited me to join them for a 6-month membership... 1 date/ month.  What was there to lose?  My dignity?  I had a date with a guy tonight.  Very nice, good profile, easy to converse with, good job, established, yadda, yadda yadda.  And I couldn't help thinking to myself at the end of the date - what is wrong with him?  Why isn't he married by now? (ok, he is 10 yrs older than me)  And I realized, as I climbed into Meredith - what the f*ck is wrong with ME!?

I have been single for (almost) 2 years now.  And honestly, I have enjoyed EVERY minute of it.  I can't help feeling that where I am is wrong in other people's eyes.  Whenever you see someone after an absence the first thing they ask "are you seeing someone", or "23, you were old when you got married" (said to someone else... apparently, I should be put out to pasture!).  The best is hearing that my father thinks a girl should do certain things to get a guy... I'm sorry, but even my daddy doesn't believe I am good enough.  So, where does that leave lil' old me?

I'm here, and I'm queer... oh wait, no, I'm happy.  Happy with who I've become.  Happy with my beliefs.  Happy with how I love others and accept people for who they are.  Happy that I'm able to do what I want (travel, shop, eat, drink, be merry).  Happy that I have a great group of friends who accept me for who I am as a person.

So to all you married/ relationshiped up couples out there - don't be scared or jealous of your single friends.  Be happy for them in where they are in life.  Support them, and put your worry towards your own relationships... not our lack thereof.