Responses to THAT Question

"Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you're pretty, sexy and you're taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with." ~Carrie Bradshaw

I spent a big chunk of the last week watching high school basketball at the State Tournament. I'll have a full blog about my observations about that later this week. I'm waiting for everyone to get pictures posted on facebook so I can steal a few to go with my own! To read a fellow Loganite's take on it, click here!

But today, let's talk about the comments that I had to deal with all weekend with regard to my relationship status (or lack thereof).

Let me preface this with two disclaimers. (1) I'm not picking on anyone in particular who may have said some version of this to me---trust me, I can't even count everyone who did. (2) I am a firm believer in us all making our own chocies in life--some people move away, some don't. Some people get married at 18 and some don't. I do not think that there is a right and wrong at all and totally disagree with judging anyone else's choices. So, no one be offended, okay? Good.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, when I am dating someone important, you'll know. I'll plaster it on facebook and take out a billboard. You won't ever need to ask me that question. But apparently some people don't read my blog (shocking!) and still insist on asking me some version of, "What's wrong with you that you can't land a husband?" Here are a few responses to my favorite questions. And no, I have never actually used these. This is what I wish I was clever (and mean) enough to think up on the spot.

1. You came here BY YOURSELF?!?! Oh, the horror! Listen, darlin' if I didn't go places by myself, I'd sit at home on my couch all the time. So yes, no one walked me in to the gym and no one holds my purse when I go to the bathroom. But I'm pefectly capable of doing those two things BY MYSELF and getting to run around and visit with everyone in the gym and sit with some great friends from back home. I bet you I got more hugs last week than most people get in a year. So the answer is that I drove here in the car and walked to the door by myself, but once I got inside, I was far from alone. Thanks for your concern. 2. I hear your little brother is getting married...what are you waiting on? Mars and Jupiter to align. What do you want me to say in response to this question? I'm waiting on some guy to show up who is not a complete tool and who actually asks me out. Finding those two things in the same person proves harder than it should. I'm waiting on the right person and not just the next random one who pops up somewhere. Oh, and what happened to the question I frequently got asked as a child that goes something like, "if your lttle brother jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?" I learned the answer to that question years ago. It's no.
3. You look good, how are you still single? Well if I look cute it must be me horrible personality that's keeping a ring off my finger. If I knew why I was still single, don't you think I'd so something about it? And while we're on that topic, why are you still living with your parents?
4. You're not getting any younger. Back at ya, gramps! There is not some bomb timer clicking down that's going to hit 00:00 and if I'm not married by that time, the world ends or I have to move into some creepy house and get 5 cats. I'm glad I didn't get married when I was younger. I had no idea who I was or what I wanted (and looking back at what I thought I wanted makes me cringe!) I refuse to let some arbitrary timeline dictate the choices that I make. And by the way, last week someone asked me if I was a senior in high school, clearly I'm not aging that fast.
5. Hang in there honey, some day he'll come. Oh good, that comment is the one thing that will keep me from jumping off a bridge tonight. Please. I don't need to "hang in there" waiting on anybody. My life is great---I've got an awesome job, the best friends in the world, and an amazing family. I get to travel all over the country to see my friends, go to football games, and run races. I've been to Europe and Mexico and I'm headed to Costa Rica in May. I don't need to hang in there, I need a guy who can hang on and keep up.