The question.

There are times in my life that I feel like I am the star character in Bridget Jones- minus the stellar English accent of course. The times it seems everywhere you go and everyone you meet asks you how your love life is going. Pretty simply, its the most dreadful of all questions to ask.


Just last week in the middle of the fury of a shopping mall, I bumped into an old acquaintance. As she held her newborn close to her bosom and introduced her husband- I saw her eyes dart towards my left hand and then greeted me with a grin. "So" , she questioned, "whats new?". "Married?, Children?". As I smiled through gritted teeth, I most cheerfully responded that I am working in a field I love and that I am happily unattached. She smiled at me awkwardly. I couldn't quite read her expression and debated whether it was an awkward pity smile or if it was an awkward, "I'm holding my baby- I wished I hadn't gotten married- good for you girl smile". I chose the latter, and as we parted ways, I couldn't help but think about all the reasons I was in fact- happily unnattached.



Here are my top ten and they aren't in any special order:

1. Peaceful and restful nights sleep. No early morning shivers due to stolen duvets, no snoring, no cold feet. Just a well deserved night's sleep.


2. Answering to myself. I do what I want when I want. An afternoon at chapters with Starbucks and book browsing; crawling into bed at nine and watching a chick flick.


3. Argument and hassle free. My spirits can't be spolied by anyone else, or having to cheer anyone else up. The only arguments I have are with myself and usually involve heated debates on whether I should splurge.


4. Money. That trendy new outfit- or fabulous shoes. Mine. Mine. Mine. Two vacations a year. Mine.


5. Getting to know myself- my likes- dislikes and my in betweens. The peacefulness of my own mind.


6. Dating. Meeting new people and enjoying conversations about different things and getting to explore different personalities (and realizing that I am better off alone than with someone I dread).


7. No curfew- no explanations


8. The TV remote and couch are all mine. I can flip between the Bachelor, Americas next top model, Sex and the City and Biggest Loser without any hassles.


9. Free. Free to choose exactly where I want to go, be and do.


10. Eating the extra scoop of ice cream, slice of cheesecake or greasy dish with out any comments from the peanut gallery.