24 and Single

As of right now, I’m 24.  Have been for about a month.  It’s interesting to be single at this age.  So many of my friends are either married or on their way to it.  And there's quite a few who have already started having children.  There’s so much pressure from all sorts of people in my life to find someone to be with.  Settle down.  Or at the very least, be interested in someone.  My mom is constantly telling me that I need to open myself up to possibilities.  I think she thinks that I’m shutting out every single man (aka possibility) in my life by giving the impression to them that I’m not interested and never will be.  But I don’t really think that I’m doing that necessarily.  I’m not a “flirty” person by any means, but I don’t think I’m shutting guys out.  However, one of the things that may be contributing to my lack of “success” in the dating world is probably that I treat all of my male friends equally.  I don’t show preference among them, even if I might be interested in getting to know one in particular on a deeper level.  I’ve never really been the kind of person to show preference.  I don’t think that’s a bad thing.  It just might mean that when Mr. Right does come along, he might have to take a little bit of a “risk” when he finally steps up to approach me.  I’m okay with that.  My family is a bit more hesitant with this approach.

Now why is my family more hesitant with this approach?  Probably because they don’t think that I have the “feminine prowess” to lure in a man with just my beauty and amazing personality…and honestly, they are completely right.  I’m fine with that.  I understand completely that I am an average person with faults and flaws but that’s exactly what makes me unique.  Will it be what draws a man to me?  Yeah right.  But that’s not what I want to draw a man to me either.  I want the relationship I have with my future spouse to develop with the help of my favorite matchmaker:  God.  Let’s be honest, God knows a lot of people and I trust that He knows who to best match me up with.  Am I an impatient person?  Sure.  Do I want to be in a relationship?  Yes (and no sometimes…it really depends.  Relationships take a lot of time and energy and emotion).  Am I going to trust God’s timing with this area in my life even though it’s hard?  100% (and I trust that when this time comes, I will be completely willing to give up my time, energy, and emotions because God will make my relationship more of a priority to me than the things that are currently taking up the majority of those things).

Does this reasoning seem completely crazy to most people?  Of course.  Because I’m 24 and single.  Never really even been in an “official” relationship (I may end up talking about the “unofficial” 4-month one some other time).  But hello!?!  I’ve never even kissed a guy before (or been kissed by one).  Does this make me a freak?  Well, by today’s standards…maybe.  But I’m fine with that.  Because God has perfect timing.  And if that means I have to wait a bit longer than most, that’s okay.  If I’m being completely honest with myself, being single has quite a few perks.  And I’m going to live my life to the fullest, regardless of whether or not I have a partner-in-crime laughing and creating havoc along with me.