So you know someone who's single?

"Think about it. If you are single, after graduation there isn't one occasion where people celebrate you ... Hallmark doesn't make a "congratulations, you didn't marry the wrong guy" card. And where's the flatware for going on vacation alone?" -- Carrie (Sex and the City)

I've kept many blogs over the years, and it's finally occurred to me that the very people I don't want reading it are the only people that actually are! These people are what Bridget Jones refers to "smug marrieds." I also like to refer to them as rude non-singles. I'm only 26, but you'd think I was much older given the way my friends and colleagues act sometimes. Yes, it is a fact: I AM SINGLE. But I never said I wasn't, did I? And no... it's not that I don't want to be in a relationship. Relationships rock when you are with the right "special someone." But why should I get involved with someone just to alleviate this whole being alone thing?

Over the last three or four years, I have been set up on five (yes, FIVE) unsuccessful blind dates. Further, I have been talked into giving my ex-boyfriend 2nd... and 3rd... and 4th tries. After all, he's the only one my friends can actually see me with. Grr! Yes, I'm the stupid one because I allow myself to get caught up in his pitiful remorse and returning to him. But anyone who's ever really given their heart to someone probably knows... quitting someone is a lot easier said than done, ESPECIALLY when your friends are also talking you into it.

Now, you may be asking yourself... why would this girl's friends try to get her back with her ex? Well, it's partially my fault. Despite this now very public blog... I am an extremely private person. Only recently did my parents even realize I was with that guy for 5 years! I just don't talk about that stuff with anyone. So, when they do know I'm with someone, they think everything is just peachy! Oh, how that has come to bite me in the butt sometimes!

Anyway, the last year has been especially hard on this single gal. I have relocated to Houston in December, and I'll tell you what... this city doesn't make it easy for you to meet new people! It probably doesn't help that the average age in my industry is 47 - for my department, it's more like 49. I think 90% of the department is married with children, so it's not like they really understand or remember what it's like to be single. And the only church that I've felt at home in has 500 people in the youth group alone! Not exactly condusive to meeting new people.

I can't tell you how many times this year I have gone to an event as a party of one. And normally I wouldn't mind. It's not like I haven't gone to events alone in the past. But this year has been... different. If I drink, I must be drinking my blues away, right? If I flirt, I'm on a man-hunt. If I dance with a guy, I probably am going home with him. And if I dare give someone a hug? Well, then I must have slept with him already... right? Um, no.

Despite all you married and couple-up people's opinions, I am happy to be single on my own terms. I'm not secretly pining for your significant other. I'm not desperate, and just can't wait for you to introduce me to your nerdy third-cousin on your mother's side - twice removed. I don't want to be seated with the kiddie table just because I came alone. And I'll be damned if I want you to exclude me from your BBQ just because "only married people will be there." I'll be ok. I've been alone before. It's not a big friggin' deal... until you make it a big deal, of course.

So, I'm going to start this blog just to spread the word for my other single friends out there. Being single doesn't have to be a crime, curse, or mark of an old maid. We don't have to feel bad for being picky. And we definitely don't have to feel like we need to accept just any old thing that is thrown our way. Life's too short to be unhappy. And it's about time for me to accept this too!