The Signs

Over the years I've learned that no matter how old we are we always look for the signs. Whether we tell ourselves that we don't believe or whether we whole heartedly let the world know- as single women we tend to scrutinize, investigate and read into every move the male species makes. We then re-hash the screnario over and over, cross our fingers and hope for the best.


The other day, I took a 15 year old out for a chat and within minutes of our meeting, I sensed she was eager to tell me something very important. She nervously sat facing me. She was beaming. Without hestitation, she spilled the only thing that was on her mind. "I like James, " she said. Still grinning she informed me that she had smiled at him during gym class, and that he had smiled back. She wrapped both hands around her blizzard, glanced downward in a sheepish gaze and said matter of factly, "he smiled and looked away". She lingered on my response, waiting to hear my words of wisdom; awaiting my years of experience on the subject. "Do you think that's a sign?" , she asked. I couldn't help but laugh to myself, as I myself had pondered the same question only 4 hours earlier. I guess age has no limit on questioning the signs.

Whether we're single at 15 or 30 we replay the smile, glance, word selection and inflection over and over and over in our minds. When someone catches our fancy, we hope the connection is real and that the signs are not just a figment of our imgainations. In the end, I think we all just want the signs to be there, to prove that love really does exist.

One day the signs will be there and I'll be waiting.