Being Single

“The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.  And if you find someone to love the you that you love, well, that’s just fabulous.” ~Carrie Bradshaw 

Often I get asked “Why are you still single?”  Well, that is a very simple question and I would like to give a simple answer but it’s really a complex one.  Can I take an hour of your time? Ha, just kidding!

Recently I went to dinner with my thirteen year old niece Cate and I told her my story that after graduating from high school I went to Iowa State University for two weeks.  I thought I wanted to be an educator and quickly changed my mind and decided to go into nursing.  She asked me “Where do you think you would be if you stayed at Iowa State?”  Then she said, ‘you wouldn’t be downtown.”  I thought about it, I would probably be married, have children and live in the ‘burbs.  I panicked a little, and became sad, not because that is what I want but because I love my life.  If I had chosen to go to Iowa State I wouldn’t have my two pups, traveled to places like Mexico and Ecuador, and I wouldn’t have seen the amazing and most miraculous things that I have in my nursing career.  I wouldn’t be writing this blog, and what I fear the most I would have settled.

Days after our dinner I continued to think about Cate and I’s conversation.  I enjoy being single and I am patient enough to wait for the right relationship to come along.  This day in age online dating is the thing, I’ve tried it and it’s not for me.  Don’t get me wrong there are many couples who have met online and have successful relationships. I’m an old fashion kind of gal, I want to meet a gentleman in real life, be pursued and treated like a lady. I’m a hopeless romantic and love old fashion classic romance movies, “Houseboat” with Sophia Loren, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” with Audrey Hepburn.  I want to find a gentleman to compliment my life.

I am going to hold out for what I want and I promised myself I will not settle.  In my past that what I have done, and I was not being true to myself.  I have learned a lot about what I do want and about myself from my past relationships. Another promise I made myself for 2016 is to have the courage to venture out alone.  Tonight I plan to go to an event all by myself, I hope to meet some cool new people.

So the next time you ask a single friend, family member or acquaintance “Why are you single?” just keep in mind they may be okay with it and holding out for what they want.  I guess that is a simple answer to the question. 

Photo Credit: Sparrow & Bean Studios